precalculus

#$&*

course Mth 173

10:04 p.m.

Question: `q001 A straight line connects the points (3, 5) and (7, 17), while another straight line continues on from (7, 17) to the point (10, 29). Which line is steeper and on what basis to you claim your result?

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Your solution:

rise over run (3,5) (7,17) 5 to 17 is 12, 3 to 7 is 4, 12/4, slope is 3.

rise over run (7,17) (10,29) 17 to 29 is 12, 7 to10 is 3, 12/3, slope is 4.

The straight line from point (7,17) to point (10, 29) has a steeper slope.

confidence rating #$&*: 2

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Given Solution:

`aThe point (3,5) has x coordinate 3 and y coordinate 5. The point (7, 17) has x coordinate 7 and y coordinate 17. To move

from (3,5) to (7, 17) we must therefore move 4 units in the x direction and 12 units in the y direction.

Thus between (3,5) and (7,17) the rise is 12 and the run is 4, so the rise/run ratio is 12/4 = 3.

Between (7,10) and (10,29) the rise is also 12 but the run is only 3--same rise for less run, therefore more slope. The rise/run

ratio here is 12/3 = 4.

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK.

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Self-critique Rating: OK.

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Question: `q002. The expression (x-2) * (2x+5) is zero when x = 2 and when x = -2.5. Without using a calculator verify this,

and explain why these two values of x, and only these two values of x, can make the expression zero.

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Your solution:

on both sides of the multiplcation there is an x value, so when you insert a negative, depending on the right negative, it will lead

to positives, as well as a zero. kind of like a exponent.

confidence rating #$&*: 1

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Given Solution:

`aIf x = 2 then x-2 = 2 - 2 = 0, which makes the product (x -2) * (2x + 5) zero.

If x = -2.5 then 2x + 5 = 2 (-2.5) + 5 = -5 + 5 = 0.which makes the product (x -2) * (2x + 5) zero.

The only way to product (x-2)(2x+5) can be zero is if either (x -2) or (2x + 5) is zero.

Note that (x-2)(2x+5) can be expanded using the Distributive Law to get

x(2x+5) - 2(2x+5). Then again using the distributive law we get

2x^2 + 5x - 4x - 10 which simplifies to

2x^2 + x - 10.

However this doesn't help us find the x values which make the expression zero. We are better off to look at the factored form.

STUDENT QUESTION

I think I have the basic understanding of how x=2 and x=-2.5 makes this equation 0

I was looking at the distributive law and I understand the basic distributive property as stated in algebra

a (b + c) = ab + ac and a (b-c) = ab - ac

but I don’t understand the way it is used here

(x-2)(2x+5)

x(2x+5) - 2(2x+5)

2x^2 + 5x - 4x - 10

2x^2 + x - 10.

Would you mind explaining the steps to me?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

The distributive law of multiplication over addition states that

a (b + c) = ab + ac

and also that

(a + b) * c = a c + b c.

So the distributive law has two forms.

In terms of the second form it should be clear that, for example

(x - 2) * c = x * c - 2 * c.

Now if c = 2 x + 5 this reads

(x-2)(2x+5) = x * ( 2 x + 5) - 2 * (2 x + 5).

The rest should be obvious.

We could also have used the first form.

a ( b + c) = ab + ac so, letting a stand for (x - 2), we have

(x-2)(2x+5) = ( x - 2 ) * 2x + (x - 2) * 5.

This will ultimately give the same result as the previous. Either way we end up with 2 x^2 + x - 10.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

Im not sure of the difference of how I figured it out and the example.

@&

If x = 2 then (x-2) * (2x+5) = (2 - 2) ( 2 * 2 + 5) = 0 * 9 = 0.

If x = -2.5 then (x-2) * (2x+5) = (-2.5 - 2) * (2 * (-2.5) + 5) = -4.5 * (-5 + 5) = -4.5 * 0 = 0.

I don't believe your solution says this.

*@

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Self-critique Rating:1

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Question: `q003. For what x values will the expression (3x - 6) * (x + 4) * (x^2 - 4) be zero?

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Your solution:

I have forgotten how to do this. I tried multiplying (3x-6) * (x+ 4) and multiplied the result to (x^2-4) but then got lost. going

to check the solutions now and come back to try and rework the problem. Took a quick glance, it looks like i set each

grouping with x to zero. Will work the rest out on my own and see if answers match.

3x-6 = 0. 3x=6 x =2

x + 4 = 0 x = -4

x^2 - 4 = 0 x^2 = 4 sqrt(x^2) = sqrt(4) x = 2 but its x^2...so the negative of the answer could give the same result. so -2?

I got x = 2 twice, do not know if this means anything, so x=2, and x = -4 , and x = -2 are the two values Achieved. I feel like

there is more work to do.

confidence rating #$&*:0

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Given Solution:

`aIn order for the expression to be zero we must have 3x-6 = 0 or x+4=0 or x^2-4=0.

3x-6 = 0 is rearranged to 3x = 6 then to x = 6 / 3 = 2. So when x=2, 3x-6 = 0 and the entire product (3x - 6) * (x + 4) *

(x^2 - 4) must be zero.

x+4 = 0 gives us x = -4. So when x=-4, x+4 = 0 and the entire product (3x - 6) * (x + 4) * (x^2 - 4) must be zero.

x^2-4 = 0 is rearranged to x^2 = 4 which has solutions x = + - `sqrt(4) or + - 2. So when x=2 or when x = -2, x^2 - 4 = 0

and the entire product (3x - 6) * (x + 4) * (x^2 - 4) must be zero.

We therefore see that (3x - 6) * (x + 4) * (x^2 - 4) = 0 when x = 2, or -4, or -2. These are the only values of x which can

yield zero.**

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Self-critique (if necessary): forgot to set it up to +- for the sqrt. forgot how to do it at start, its been a while since done any

math, hopefully I can remember.

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Self-critique Rating: 2

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Question: `q004. One straight line segment connects the points (3,5) and (7,9) while another connects the points (10,2) and

(50,4). From each of the four points a line segment is drawn directly down to the x axis, forming two trapezoids. Which

trapezoid has the greater area? Try to justify your answer with something more precise than, for example, 'from a sketch I can

see that this one is much bigger so it must have the greater area'.

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Your solution:

thinking area for trapezoid has something like (1/2)b1 * (1/2)b2 or something like that(looked up the formula for area of a

trapezoid). proper formula is (1/2) * b1 * b2 * h.

finding slope of lines. (3,5) (7,9) 4/4, 4.

(10,2) (50,4) 2/40. 1/20.

measuring from the graph. the equation for the trapezoid created from the line segment (3,5) (7,9) would be

(1/2) * 9 * 5 * 4 = 9 * 5 * 2 = 9 * 10 = 90. The area is 90 (unknown measurement)

measuring from the graph the equation for the trapezoid created from the line segment (10,2) and (50,4) would be

(1/2) * 2 * 4 * 40 = 2 * 4 * 20 = 2 * 80 = 160.

comparing 90 < 160, so the one with segment (10,2) and (50,4) would be larger

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Given Solution:

`aYour sketch should show that while the first trapezoid averages a little more than double the altitude of the second, the

second is clearly much more than twice as wide and hence has the greater area.

To justify this a little more precisely, the first trapezoid, which runs from x = 3 to x = 7, is 4 units wide while the second runs

from x = 10 and to x = 50 and hence has a width of 40 units. The altitudes of the first trapezoid are 5 and 9,so the average

altitude of the first is 7. The average altitude of the second is the average of the altitudes 2 and 4, or 3. So the first trapezoid is

over twice as high, on the average, as the first. However the second is 10 times as wide, so the second trapezoid must have

the greater area.

This is all the reasoning we need to answer the question. We could of course multiply average altitude by width for each

trapezoid, obtaining area 7 * 4 = 28 for the first and 3 * 40 = 120 for the second. However if all we need to know is which

trapezoid has a greater area, we need not bother with this step.

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Question: `q005. Sketch graphs of y = x^2, y = 1/x and y = `sqrt(x) [note: `sqrt(x) means 'the square root of x'] for x > 0. We

say that a graph increases if it gets higher as we move toward the right, and if a graph is increasing it has a positive slope.

Explain which of the following descriptions is correct for each graph:

As we move from left to right the graph increases as its slope increases.

As we move from left to right the graph decreases as its slope increases.

As we move from left to right the graph increases as its slope decreases.

As we move from left to right the graph decreases as its slope decreases.

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Your solution:

y = x^2 is As we move from left to right the graph increases as its slope increases. it is an exponential increase

y = 1 / x not sure, the graph splits, you cant divide by 0 so will keep getting closer without ever reaching. I will say

As we move from left to right the graph decreases as its slope increases.

y=sqrt(x) while x>0 is As we move from left to right the graph increases as its slope decreases. It looks logarithmic.

confidence rating #$&*: 2

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Given Solution:

`aFor x = 1, 2, 3, 4:

The function y = x^2 takes values 1, 4, 9 and 16, increasing more and more for each unit increase in x. This graph therefore

increases, as you say, but at an increasing rate.

The function y = 1/x takes values 1, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4, with decimal equivalents 1, .5, .33..., and .25. These values are

decreasing, but less and less each time. The decreasing values ensure that the slopes are negative. However, the more gradual

the decrease the closer the slope is to zero. The slopes are therefore negative numbers which approach zero.

Negative numbers which approach zero are increasing. So the slopes are increasing, and we say that the graph decreases as

the slope increases.

We could also say that the graph decreases but by less and less each time. So the graph is decreasing at a decreasing rate.

For y = `sqrt(x) we get approximate values 1, 1.414, 1.732 and 2. This graph increases but at a decreasing rate.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

i feel for the second one, from left to right, y=1/x the first part that we see it decreases, and then the second half once it starts

also decreases.

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Self-critique Rating: 2

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Question: `q006. If the population of the frogs in your frog pond increased by 10% each month, starting with an initial

population of 20 frogs, then how many frogs would you have at the end of each of the first three months (you can count

fractional frogs, even if it doesn't appear to you to make sense)? Can you think of a strategy that would allow you to calculate

the number of frogs after 300 months (according to this model, which probably wouldn't be valid for that long) without having

to do at least 300 calculations?

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Your solution:

start with 20 frogs. 20 * .10 = 2 20 + 2 = 22. 0 end of first month. 22 * .10 = 2.2 22 + 2.2== 24.2 end of second month.

24.2 * .10 = 2.42 24.2 + 2.42 = 26.62 end of third month.

26.620 frogs by the end of the first three months

x = 20 * (1 + .10)^300 at first I kept thinking of using a logarithm. but I couldnt think how so i just said it must be exponential.

I thought what exactly am i doing. I am increasing by 10 % multiple times. so doing the same thing over and over (like 2 * 2 *

2) can be changed to an exponent, so i said 10^(amount needed). but then i realized well, as a decimal that is going the exact

opposite direction I need, then thought, well it has to be done at least once, and added one to .10 before doing it so 1.10^

(amount needed). if I am doing it once, the exponent doesnt really matter which seems why I am allowed to add one. so say

we wanted to know after the second month. 1.10^2 = 1.21. I then tried adding this to my original. 20 + 1.21 didnt work.

why... if im trying to add that would be like I only did it for one month, it happened twice (happening more than once being

multiplying) so I multiplied it. and it worked.

????? It is hard for me to explain what I did, I am hoping for a better explanation to why my formula works. especially why I

have to add one.

@&

Actually you gave a very good explanation of your thought process, and you ended up with the right expression. I would say you did very well with this question.

*@

???? I read your explanation The key to extending the strategy is to notice that multiplying a number by .1 and adding it to the

????number is really the same as simply multiplying the number by 1.1. Can you explain why we are allowed to do this. How it

???? works? What I might need is a comparison, I am not completely sure.

@&

It just comes down to the fact that 10% of a number added to the number is .1 * the number, plus the number.

In symbols, if the number is n, the number which is 10% more than n is .1 * n + n.

You can factor n out of .1 * n + n. You get n * (.1 + 1), which is n * 1.1, or 1.1 n.

*@

????Would it be possible to work this in a logarithm?

@&

Good question. For this problem the answer is 'no', but logarithms are close by, so your thinking and your question are relevant to this situation.

If for example you wanted to solve the equation

1.1 * x = 1000

you would use logarithms, taking the logarithm of both sides to get

x log(1.1) = log(1000)

so that

x = log(1000) / log(1.1).

You will encounter this in the review assignments.

*@

confidence rating #$&*:1

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Given Solution:

`aAt the end of the first month, the number of frogs in the pond would be (20 * .1) + 20 = 22 frogs. At the end of the second

month there would be (22 * .1) + 22 = 24.2 frogs while at the end of the third month there would be (24.2 * .1) + 24.2 =

26.62 frogs.

The key to extending the strategy is to notice that multiplying a number by .1 and adding it to the number is really the same as

simply multiplying the number by 1.1. We therefore get

20 * 1.1 = 22 frogs after the first month

22 * 1.1 = 24.2 after the second month

etc., multiplying by for 1.1 each month.

So after 300 months we will have multiplied by 1.1 a total of 300 times. This would give us 20 * 1.1^300, whatever that

equals (a calculator, which is appropriate in this situation, will easily do the arithmetic).

A common error is to say that 300 months at 10% per month gives 3,000 percent, so there would be 30 * 20 = 600 frogs

after 30 months. That doesn't work because the 10% increase is applied to a greater number of frogs each time. 3000%

would just be applied to the initial number, so it doesn't give a big enough answer.

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Self-critique (if necessary):OK

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Self-critique Rating:OK

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Question: `q007. Calculate 1/x for x = 1, .1, .01 and .001. Describe the pattern you obtain. Why do we say that the values of

x are approaching zero? What numbers might we use for x to continue approaching zero? What happens to the values of 1/x

as we continue to approach zero? What do you think the graph of y = 1/x vs. x looks for x values between 0 and 1?

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Your solution:

the number gets increasingly larger. while heading towards zero, we say it approaches because it will absolutely never touch,

just infinitely get closer. You can not divide by zero. the numbers we would use for X to continue approach zero is smaller

decimals, .0001, .00001, etc. The values of (1/x) as we approach zero get smaller. the graph will get closer to 1. so it will start

decreasing.

confidence rating #$&*:2

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Given Solution:

`aIf x = .1, for example, 1 / x = 1 / .1 = 10 (note that .1 goes into 1 ten times, since we can count to 1 by .1, getting.1, .2, .3,

.4, ... .9, 10. This makes it clear that it takes ten .1's to make 1.

So if x = .01, 1/x = 100 Ithink again of counting to 1, this time by .01). If x = .001 then 1/x = 1000, etc..

Note also that we cannot find a number which is equal to 1 / 0. Deceive why this is true, try counting to 1 by 0's. You can

count as long as you want and you'll ever get anywhere.

The values of 1/x don't just increase, they increase without bound. If we think of x approaching 0 through the values .1, .01,

.001, .0001, ..., there is no limit to how big the reciprocals 10, 100, 1000, 10000 etc. can become.

The graph becomes steeper and steeper as it approaches the y axis, continuing to do so without bound but never touching the

y axis.

This is what it means to say that the y axis is a vertical asymptote for the graph .

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Self-critique (if necessary):

could not remember terms. forgot exactly what an asymptote was

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Self-critique Rating: 2

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Question: `q008. At clock time t the velocity of a certain automobile is v = 3 t + 9. At velocity v its energy of motion is E =

800 v^2. What is the energy of the automobile at clock time t = 5?

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Your solution:

v = 3 * 5 + 9 = 24

E= 800(24)^2 800 * 576 = 460800

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Given Solution:

`aFor t=5, v = 3 t + 9 = (3*5) + 9 = 24. Therefore E = 800 * 24^2 = 460800.

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Question: `q009. Continuing the preceding problem, can you give an expression for E in terms of t?

????could you explain this wording to me

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Your solution:

The wording confuses me, I dont know if it means for me to plug in v for the t expression, or set t by itself.

E = 800 * (3t + 9)^2

confidence rating #$&*: 2

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Given Solution:

`aSince v = 3 t + 9 the expression would be E = 800 v^2 = 800 ( 3t + 9) ^2. This is the only answer really required here.

For further reference, though, note that this expression could also be expanded by applying the Distributive Law:.

Since (3t + 9 ) ^ 2 = (3 t + 9 ) * ( 3 t + 9 ) = 3t ( 3t + 9 ) + 9 * (3 t + 9) = 9 t^2 + 27 t + 27 t + 81 = 9 t^2 + 54 t + 81, we

get

E = 800 ( 9 t^2 + 54 t + 81) = 7200 t^2 + 43320 t + 64800 (check my multiplication because I did that in my head, which

isn't always reliable).

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Self-critique (if necessary): forgot to simplify

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Self-critique Rating:3

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Question: For what x values is the value of the expression (2^x - 1) ( x^2 - 25 ) ( 2x + 6) zero?

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Your solution:

I remember this from early, set each group equal to zero.

for first you have to do the logarithm, which is the opposite of exponent.

2^x-1=0 2^x = 1 log(2)1 =x x= 0 or you could just know anything raised to 0 power = 1. x = 0

@&

Good.

*@

x^2-25 = 0 x^2 = 25 sqrt(x^2) = sqrt(25) x = +- 5. x=5 x =-5

2x+6 = 0 2x= -6 x= -3

x=0

x=5

x= -5

x= -3

@&

Very good solution.

*@

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Question: One straight line segment connects the points (3,5) and (7,9) while another connects the points (3, 10) and (7, 6).

From each of the four

points a line segment is drawn directly down to the x axis, forming two trapezoids. Which trapezoid has the greater area?

Any solution is good, but a solution that follows from a good argument that doesn't actually calculate the areas of the two

trapezoids is better.

????why isn't a calculation that shows it better? isnt solid proof better?

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Your solution:

They have the exact same width, but the second trapezoid has a higher altitude, so it should be larger.

confidence rating #$&*:3darn it

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Question:

Suppose you invest $1000 and, at the end of any given year, 10% is added to the amount. How much would you have after 1,

2

and 3 years?

What is an expression for the amount you would have after 40 years (give an expression that could easily be evaluated using a

calculator, but don't bother to actually evaluate it)?

What is an expression for the amount you would have after t years?

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Your solution:

1000 * 1.1 = 1100 for first year

1100 * 1.1 = 1210 for second year

1210 * 1.1 = 1331 for 3rd year

1000(1 + .10)^40

100(1 + .10)^t

confidence:3

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Self-critique Rating: OK"

&#This looks good. See my notes. Let me know if you have any questions. &#