Florence Hironaka, Math Teacher, California Youth Authority

Mary B. Perry High School, located 55 miles northwest of Los Angeles in Camarillo, California, is one of eleven high schools within the California Youth Authority. The main purpose of confinement is treatment and training directed toward the correction and rehabilitation of youthful law offenders committed to its care by the courts. From 1970, this was the only coeducational school in the system. Presently, a fence is being built to separate the males and the females. The main focus is on high school graduation. A two-year on-site Ventura Community College A.A. degree program is also offered here.

Grade level: 9

Subject: Algebra

by Ronald and David

Jonathan Williams grew up in the system and landed at Mary B. Perry High School, Ventura Youth Correctional Facility. He went to the Parole Board when his parole consideration date approached. He was released at 9:30 the next day. He caught the bus driven by Jeff. He rode 400 miles at 50 miles per hour. One hour later, his friend was released and left on the bus going 60 miles per hour. His friend needed to meet him at his house. At what time did Jonathan's bus catch up to his friend's bus? What is the ratio of this distance to the total distance to his house?

Time: 9:30 + 6 hours = 3:30 p.m.

Ratio: 300/400 = 3/4

D=RT D=RT

D=50T D=60(T-1)

D= 60T-60

50T=60T-60

66T-50T = 60

10T = 60

T = 6 hours.

Concept: Algebra/motion

A table and graph can be drawn.

by Mario and Jose

At Mary B. Perry High School, Jose does not receive money on his books to buy items at canteen. He gets hungry, so he asked his counselor about a job in the Central Kitchen. He was offered a job paying $.25 an hour. He works Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., goes to school from 12 till 3 p.m., then goes back to work from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. On weekends he works from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m. What percent of his working hours is spent in the mornings? How much did he earn in May?

Percent = 96/192 = 50%

Earnings in May: 192.00 x $.25 = $48.00

Total hours worked: 4 hours morning

4 hours afternoon

= 8 hours a day x 3 times a week = 24 hours

weekends = 12 + 12 = 24 hours

(24 + 24)4 = 48x4 = 192 hours per month

(4 weeks in May)

Hours worked in the morning:

4 hours x 3 days/week = 12 hours

6 hours + 6 hours for weekends = 12 hours

12 hours weekdays + 12 hours weekends = 24 hours/week

24 hours x 4 weeks in the month = 96 hours in the mornings

Concept: Number sense, percent. High school math

by Tyjuan and Benjamin

There are 3 swimmers on a swimming team. The first swimmer swam twice as much as the second swimmer. The third swimmer swam 2 laps less than the first swimmer. The sum of all 3 swimmers is 33 laps. Find the laps of each swimmer.

first swimmer = 14 laps

second swimmer = 7 laps

third swimmer = 12 laps

First swimmer = 2x

Second swimmer = x

Third swimmer = 2x - 2

2x + x + (2x - 2) = 33

5x - 2 = 33

5x - 2 + 2 = 33 + 2

5 5

Math concept: Algebra

by James

There are 30 swimmers who are required to swim 15 laps each to qualify for life guard training. Six swimmers drop out. What is the sum of laps of the swimmers who qualified? What percent of swimmers qualified for training?

24 laps

80%

Total passed: 30 - 6 = 24 swimmers

24 x 15 laps = 360 laps of 24 swimmers

24 is what % of 30?

24 / 30 = 80%

May be shown with a pie chart.

Concept: Number sense, percent