Precalculus Intitial Questions

#$&*

course Mth 163

9/1 2:30

If your solution to stated problem does not match the given solution, you should self-critique per instructions at

http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/geninfo/labrynth_created_fall_05/levl1_22/levl2_81/file3_259.htm

.

Your solution, attempt at solution. If you are unable to attempt a solution, give a phrase-by-phrase interpretation of the problem along with a statement of what you do or do not understand about it. This response should be given, based on the work you did in completing the assignment, before you look at the given solution.

003. PC1 questions

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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:

From drawing the graph, it looks like (7,17) and (10, 29) looks to be more steep. I cannot remember how to figure this mathematically.

confidence rating #$&*: 1

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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): When you want to compare and not given an equation, in this instance you will take (7,17) and (10,29) to figure how many units to move and do rise/run ratio. 10-7=3 and 29-17=12. You will then do rise/run which is 12/3 and you get 4. Same for (3,5) and (7,17). You would figure this up as well and would get 12/4 which equals 3. Even though the rise is the same, the run is less on (7,17)(10,29) so therefore there would be more slope.

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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:

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

X=2

(2-2) * (2(2) +5)

0 * 9

0

(-2.5-2) * (2(-2.5) + 5)

(-4.5) * (-5 + 5)

-4.5 * 0

0

They both equal zero. They can only equal zero because when calculating, when you multiply any number by 0 you will always get 0.

confidence rating #$&*: 2

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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): OK

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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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:

In this you would have to figure which one of these separately would equal 0. You would need to figure (3x-6). To figure this, I could do it in my head, but to write it out it would be.

3x=6

x=2

For (x+4)=0 it would be -4.

For (x^2-4)

x^2=4

x=2

So if you could get any of those to equal 0, then the whole problem would be 0.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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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): OK.

@&

&#Your response did not agree with the given solution in all details, and you should therefore have addressed the discrepancy with a full self-critique, detailing the discrepancy and demonstrating exactly what you do and do not understand about the parts of the given solution on which your solution didn't agree, and if necessary asking specific questions (to which I will respond).

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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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:

After drawing this graph, it is obvious which one is bigger, but to confirm it see below.

(3,5) and (7, 9)

7-3 = 4

Average of 9 and 5 = 7

(10,2) and (50,4)

50-10 = 40

Average of 4 and 2 = 2

40 and 2 is larger than 7 and 4. So the (10,2) and (50,4) has the greater area.

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:

In this you would use anything greater than 0 to figure these problems. I used 1, 2,3, 4.

Y=x^2

1 y=1^2 = 1

2 y=2^2 = 4

3 y=3^2 = 9

4 y=4^2 = 16

Y=1/x

1 y=1/1 = 1

2 y=1/2 = .5

3 y=1/3 = .33 repeating

4 y=1/4 = .25

Y=sqrt (x)

1 y=sqrt (1) = 1

2 y=sqrt (2) = 1.41

3 y=sqrt (3) = 1.73

4 y=sqrt (4) = 2

When you sketch the graphs, the first one which is y=x^2, the graph as we move from left to right increases as the slope increases because it is increasing at a rapid pace.

The second, which is y=1/x, the graph as we move from left to right the graph decreases with the slope decreasing because the slope is getting lower and lower.

The third, which is y=sqrt (x), the graph as we move from left to right the graph increases with a decreasing slope because it is going up gradually a little at a time.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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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): OK!!!

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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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:

If you initially have 20 frogs, and it increased by 10% each month, then you would, at the end of the first month have 22. At the end of the second month you would start at 22 and increased by 10% would be 24.2. At the end of the third month, you would start with 24.2 and increased by 10% would be 26.62.

I cannot think of a strategy that would work. You would not be able to take 10% to 300 because it goes up every month, and that would not give you the correct answer.

confidence rating #$&*: 2

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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):

I understand that if you take 20 * 1.1^300. You would use 1.1 because .1 is the 10% and if it wasn’t increasing, you would only do * 1. So in order to get the correct answer you would use 1.1. What I don’t understand is when I am working out the problem on my calculator, it keeps saying error. I’m placing parentheses such as this, and I even changed it around but not getting anywhere. This is just for curiosity. My examples are (20)(1.1^300) and 20*(1.1^300) and 20*1.1^300. Im super confused on how to work the arithmetic on this??????

Wouldn’t you just be able to do 1.1 * 300 and then multiply the answer of that by 20???

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Self-critique Rating: OK

@&

1.1 * 300 and 1.1^300 are very different calculations.

You would use a calculator to raise 1.1 to the 300th power.

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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 pattern you obtain by graphing y=1/x and solve for x with 1, .1, .01, and .001 is that y gets higher and higher as you keep solving for less than 1 and greater than 0. The numbers we could keep using to continue approaching zero is decimals past .001. The number gets lower and y keeps getting higher. The graph would be increasing with a very increasing rate with the line getting higher and closer to zero each time.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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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): Noted that this graph is called a vertical asymptote for the y axis.

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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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= 3t + 9

v= 3(5) + 9

v= 1v5 + 9

v= 24

e= 800 v^2

e= 800 (24)^2

e= 460,800

The energy of the automobile at clock time t=5 is 460,800

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?

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Your solution:

You would combine the problem. This would give you e = 800 (3t + 9) ^2.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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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): OK

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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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:

(2^x - 1)

2^x = 1

x=.5

(x^2 - 25)

x^2 = 25

x = 5

(2x + 6)

2x = 6

x = 3

Putting in x = .5, 5, and 3, the values would zero.

@&

Also x = -5. Be sure you understand how this solution would have been obtained.

*@

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.

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Your solution:

Wh-3en (3,5) and (7,9) are compared you get:

x = 7 - 3 = 4

altitude of y is average of 5 and 9 so average is 7 units

When (3,10) and (7,6) are compared you get:

x = 7 - 3 = 4

altitude of y is average of 10 and 6 so average is 8 units.

7 * 4 = 28 and 8 * 4 = 32

So therefore, (3,10) and (7,6) has the greater area.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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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:

Year 1 is 1000 * .10 = 1100

Year 2 is 1100 * .10 = 1210

Year 2 is 1210 * .10 = 1331

For year 40, you would calculate:

1000 * 1.1^40

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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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:

(2^x - 1)

2^x = 1

x=.5

(x^2 - 25)

x^2 = 25

x = 5

(2x + 6)

2x = 6

x = 3

Putting in x = .5, 5, and 3, the values would zero.

@&

Also x = -5. Be sure you understand how this solution would have been obtained.

*@

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.

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Your solution:

Wh-3en (3,5) and (7,9) are compared you get:

x = 7 - 3 = 4

altitude of y is average of 5 and 9 so average is 7 units

When (3,10) and (7,6) are compared you get:

x = 7 - 3 = 4

altitude of y is average of 10 and 6 so average is 8 units.

7 * 4 = 28 and 8 * 4 = 32

So therefore, (3,10) and (7,6) has the greater area.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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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:

Year 1 is 1000 * .10 = 1100

Year 2 is 1100 * .10 = 1210

Year 2 is 1210 * .10 = 1331

For year 40, you would calculate:

1000 * 1.1^40

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Self-critique Rating: OK

#*&!

&#Good responses. See my notes and let me know if you have questions. &#