Orientation

course Mth163

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assignment #003

003. PC1 questions

qa initial problems

05-17-2009

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assignment #001

001. Areas

qa areas volumes misc

05-17-2009

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assignment #001

001. Rates

qa rates

05-17-2009

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assignment #001

001. typewriter notation

qa initial problems

05-17-2009

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16:33:20

`q001. Explain the difference between x - 2 / x + 4 and (x - 2) / (x + 4). The evaluate each expression for x = 2.

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RESPONSE -->

confidence assessment:

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16:40:01

`q001. Explain the difference between x - 2 / x + 4 and (x - 2) / (x + 4). The evaluate each expression for x = 2.

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RESPONSE -->

x-2/x+4 is writen as x-2 over x+4 and x=2 will give the problem as 2-2 / 2+4 which is 0/6 with the solution of 0. (x-2)/(x+4) requires you to work the parenthicies first. If x=2, then (2-2)/(2+4)=0/6 which also gives you 0 because anythig divided into 0 is 0. The difference between the two is the order of operations.

confidence assessment: 2

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20:34:03

The order of operations dictates that grouped expressions must be evaluated first, that exponentiation must be done before multiplication or division, which must be done before addition or subtraction.

It makes a big difference whether you subtract the 2 from the x or divide the -2 by 4 first. If there are no parentheses you have to divide before you subtract. Substituting 2 for x we get

2 - 2 / 2 + 4

= 2 - 1 + 4 (do multiplications and divisions before additions and subtractions)

= 5 (add and subtract in indicated order)

If there are parentheses you evaluate the grouped expressions first:

(x - 2) / (x + 4) = (2 - 2) / ( 2 + 4) = 0 / 2 = 0.

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RESPONSE -->

For my fist problem I should have x-2/x+4 = 2-2/2+4 .The -2 is the only thing divided by 2, then I would have 2-1+4=5

I do not understand how they got the second problem. 1st I wrote (x-2)/(x+4), x=2

They answered (x-2)/(x-4) and they wrongly switched the x-4 to 4-x. They still have the correct answer because there can't be a -0, 0 is just 0. Please explain.

Good eye for detail.

Should have read + 4, not - 4. I've corrected it above.

self critique assessment: 1

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20:38:59

`q002. Explain the difference between 2 ^ x + 4 and 2 ^ (x + 4). Then evaluate each expression for x = 2.

Note that a ^ b means to raise a to the b power. This process is called exponentiation, and the ^ symbol is used on most calculators, and in most computer algebra systems, to represent exponentiation.

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RESPONSE -->

confidence assessment:

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20:44:35

`q002. Explain the difference between 2 ^ x + 4 and 2 ^ (x + 4). Then evaluate each expression for x = 2.

Note that a ^ b means to raise a to the b power. This process is called exponentiation, and the ^ symbol is used on most calculators, and in most computer algebra systems, to represent exponentiation.

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RESPONSE -->

2^x+4, x=2 then 2^2+4=4+4=8

The next problem is diferent because the parenthesis group the x+4 together as the exponent, leaving 2^(x+4)=2^(2+4)=2^6=64

confidence assessment: 3

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20:46:48

`q003. What is the numerator of the fraction in the expression x - 3 / [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] - 2 + 7x? What is the denominator? What do you get when you evaluate the expression for x = 2?

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RESPONSE -->

notes to self, need to be more specific when answering a problem and write it out step by step.

confidence assessment: 3

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20:59:53

The numerator is 3. x isn't part of the fraction. / indicates division, which must always precede subtraction. Only the 3 is divided by [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] and only [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] divides 3.

If we mean (x - 3) / [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] - 2 + 7x we have to write it that way.

The preceding comments show that the denominator is [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ]

Evaluating the expression for x = 2:

- 3 / [ (2 * 2 - 5)^2 * 3(2) + 1 ] - 2 + 7*2 =

2 - 3 / [ (4 - 5)^2 * 6 + 1 ] - 2 + 14 = evaluate in parenthese; do multiplications outside parentheses

2 - 3 / [ (-1)^2 * 6 + 1 ] -2 + 14 = add inside parentheses

2 - 3 / [ 1 * 6 + 1 ] - 2 + 14 = exponentiate in bracketed term;

2 - 3 / 7 - 2 + 14 = evaluate in brackets

13 4/7 or 95/7 or about 13.57 add and subtract in order.

The details of the calculation 2 - 3 / 7 - 2 + 14:

Since multiplication precedes addition or subtraction the 3/7 must be done first, making 3/7 a fraction. Changing the order of the terms we have

2 - 2 + 14 - 3 / 7 = 14 - 3/7 = 98/7 - 3/7 = 95/7.

COMMON STUDENT QUESTION: ok, I dont understand why x isnt part of the fraction? And I dont understand why only the brackets are divided by 3..why not the rest of the equation?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: Different situations give us different algebraic expressions; the situation dictates the form of the expression.

If the above expression was was written otherwise it would be a completely different expression and most likely give you a different result when you substitute.

If we intended the numerator to be x - 3 then the expression would be written (x - 3) / [(2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] - 2 + 7x, with the x - 3 grouped.

If we intended the numerator to be the entire expression after the / the expression would be written x - 3 / [(2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 - 2 + 7x ].

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RESPONSE -->

Remember to pay attention to how the equation is grouped within brackets and parenthesis to know the order of operations.

self critique assessment: 3

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21:10:15

`q004. Explain, step by step, how you evaluate the expression (x - 5) ^ 2x-1 + 3 / x-2 for x = 4.

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RESPONSE -->

(x-5)^2x-1+3/x-2, x=4

(4-5)^2*4-1+3/4-2

(-1)^2*4-1+3/4-2

1*4-1+3/4-2

4-1+3/4-2

3+3/4-2, you can do + in any order

1+3/4

4/4+3/4 , add using a common denominator

7/4 also equals 1.75

confidence assessment: 3

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21:16:32

We get

(4-5)^2 * 4 - 1 + 3 / 1 - 4

= (-1)^2 * 4 - 1 + 3 / 4 - 2 evaluating the term in parentheses

= 1 * 4 - 1 + 3 / 4 - 2 exponentiating (2 is the exponent, which is applied to -1 rather than multiplying the 2 by 4

= 4 - 1 + 3/4 - 2 noting that 3/4 is a fraction and adding and subtracting in order we get

= 1 3/4 = 7 /4 (Note that we could group the expression as 4 - 1 - 2 + 3/4 = 1 + 3/4 = 1 3/4 = 7/4).

COMMON ERROR:

(4 - 5) ^ 2*4 - 1 + 3 / 4 - 2 = -1 ^ 2*4 - 1 + 3 / 4-2 = -1 ^ 8 -1 + 3 / 4 - 2.

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:

There are two errors here. In the second step you can't multiply 2 * 4 because you have (-1)^2, which must be done first. Exponentiation precedes multiplication.

Also it isn't quite correct to write -1^2*4 at the beginning of the second step. If you were supposed to multiply 2 * 4 the expression would be (-1)^(2 * 4).

Note also that the -1 needs to be grouped because the entire expression (-1) is taken to the power. -1^8 would be -1 because you would raise 1 to the power 8 before applying the - sign, which is effectively a multiplication by -1.

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RESPONSE -->

Remember I can move the addition around when there is no grouping.

Note to self to put a negaetive in a parentesis when to an exponent.

self critique assessment: 3

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21:18:34

*&*& Standard mathematics notation is easier to see. On the other hand it's very important to understand order of operations, and students do get used to this way of doing it.

You should of course write everything out in standard notation when you work it on paper.

It is likely that you will at some point use a computer algebra system, and when you do you will have to enter expressions through a typewriter, so it is well worth the trouble to get used to this notation.

Indicate your understanding of the necessity to understand this notation.

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RESPONSE -->

I need to become more familar with the computer algebra system and symbols.

self critique assessment: 3

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21:28:26

`q005. At the link

http://www.vhcc.edu/dsmith/genInfo/introductory problems/typewriter_notation_examples_with_links.htm

(copy this path into the Address box of your Internet browser; alternatively use the path

http://vhmthphy.vhcc.edu/ > General Information > Startup and Orientation (either scroll to bottom of page or click on Links to Supplemental Sites) > typewriter notation examples

and you will find a page containing a number of additional exercises and/or examples of typewriter notation.Locate this site, click on a few of the links, and describe what you see there.

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RESPONSE -->

I saw how one expression given on the computer is written out if I was to work it out on paper and the correct order of operation where parenthesis is involved.

confidence assessment: 3

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21:39:10

You should see a brief set of instructions and over 30 numbered examples. If you click on the word Picture you will see the standard-notation format of the expression. The link entitled Examples and Pictures, located in the initial instructions, shows all the examples and pictures without requiring you to click on the links. There is also a file which includes explanations.

The instructions include a note indicating that Liberal Arts Mathematics students don't need a deep understanding of the notation, Mth 173-4 and University Physics students need a very good understanding,

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RESPONSE -->

Note to self, Liberal Arts Math Students don't need a deep understanding of this notation , but a Physics and Math 173 student needs a deep understanding of this notation.

self critique assessment: 3

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21:39:32

while students in other courses should understand the notation and should understand the more basic simplifications.

There is also a link to a page with pictures only, to provide the opportunity to translated standard notation into typewriter notation.

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RESPONSE -->

OK

self critique assessment: 3

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Good work. You did omit the solution to that third problem, but it's clear that you understand the notatation. Might take a little while to get used to it, but you'll be fine with that aspect.