The One-Minute Mathematician

Precalculus Video Clips

Spring 2002 Series

The Spring 2002 series of The One-Minute Mathematician was produced by B. Kaskosz, O. Merino, J. Montgomery, and L. Pakula. Department of Mathematics, University of Rhode Island. The video clips feature a teaching assistant or a faculty member from either the University of Rhode Island or from Rhode Island College discussing a precalculus topic. To see how these video clips and other materials were used in mathematics instruction, visit www.math.uri.edu/Courses/spring02/mth111

Video clips in this page require the QuickTime plugin. To get the plugin, click here:

The One-Minute Mathematician ...	ON THE CONTENTS
Computes the Least Common Denominator	It is shown how to simplify an addition of rational expressions by calculating the Least Common Denominator. (Dennis Duquette, 9:54 min, 108 MB)
Completes the Square	It is shown how to complete the square of a quadratic polynomial, and how to apply this concept to finding the vertex of a parabola. (Lewis Pakula, 5:31 min, 51.2 MB )
Divides Polynomials	Long division of polynomials is performed in two examples, and ways to present the answer are discussed. (Stephanie Costa, 6:58 min, 75.8 MB)
Discusses Inverse Functions, part I	The concept of inverse function is discussed, and also it is shown how to calculate a formula for the inverse function when the formula of the original function is known. (John Montgomery, 8:18 min, 91 MB)
Discusses Inverse Functions, part II	Further discussion of Inverse Functions. (John Montgomery, min, MB)
Composes Functions	Two examples of composing given functions are worked out in detail. (Carol Overdeep, 8:44 min, 95.9 MB)
De-Composes Functions	Two examples are worked out where a given composite function is given as a formula, and functions that give rise to it are found.(Carol Overdeep, 8:47 min, 96.1 MB)
Discusses Exponents	Properties of exponents are reviewed, and expressions are simplified using properties of exponents. (Laura Valetutto, 6:23 min, 70.4 MB)
Discusses Radicals	Properties of radicals are reviewed, and expressions are simplified using properties of radicals and exponents. (Laura Valetutto, 6:03 min, 66.8 MB)
Finds the Age of a Mummy	The exponential model is used together with knowledge on the half-life of Carbon-14 to find the age of a mummy. (Rebecca Sparks (Rhode Island College), 6:54 min, 74.7 MB)
Discusses Trigonometry - Part I	The Pythagorean relation is reviewed, and then it is used to find the sine of an angle, knowing the quadrant of the angle and the cosine of the angle. (Christopher Teixeira (Rhode Island College), 6:08 min, 67.2 MB)
Discusses Trigonometry - Part II	Given the sine of an angle and the quadrant of the angle, it is shown how to find the cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant and cosecant of the angle using the Pythagorean relation (Christopher Teixeira (Rhode Island College), 6:16 min, 66.8 MB)

Grant Support:

Production of The Spring 2002 Series of The One-Minute Mathematician was supported by Incentive Fund for Excellence in Technology grants from the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education.

Special thanks to:

Nancy Abeshaus, who invented the title "The One-Minute Mathematician".
Roy Bergstrom from IITS, who provided training in the arts of video production.
Carol Englander from The URI SMILE Program, who loaned video equipment.
John Hackenburg, who created the picture of the One-Minute Mathematician.
The Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, for grant support.