Pre-Calc Queston 3

course Mth 163

8/27 4:30

003. PC1 questions*********************************************

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:

(3, 5) The 3 is 3 units to the right on the x axis and 5 is 5 units up on the y axis

(7, 17) Same here, 7 is on the x axis and 17 is on the y axis

Now to move from (7, 17) to (10, 29) you have to move 3 units more to the right on the x axis and 12 up on the y axis

The line from (7, 17) to (10, 29) is steeper based on the fact that you move up 12 units on both lines, but only 3 units on the second line and 4 units on the first making the second steeper.

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

2 I think I have some of the problem right.

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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):

I didn’t use the rise/run ratio when explaining how I came to the conclusion of (7, 17) and (10, 29). I understand the rise/run ratio and how you solved the problem. I had to actually graph the lines and look at the difference when I could have used a simple math solution to solve.

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Self-critique Rating:

3

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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:

In the expression (x-2) * (2x+5) is zero when x = 2 and x = -2.5

When x = 2 you get

(2-2) = 0 and zero * the rest of the expression remains 0

When x = -2.5

2x +5 = 2 (-2.5) + 5 = -5 +5 = 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.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

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?

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 Rating:

0

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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:

First you need to solve x in the first expression (3x – 6) = 0

To do this x = 6/3 = 2

3 * 2 – 6 = 6 – 6 = 0

Then you solve for (x+4) = 0 when x = -4

On the last expression you solve by x^2 = 4 making it 2^2 – 4 = 4 – 4 = 0

So if x = 2 in the first set, and x = -4 in the second, and x = 2 in the last

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1

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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):

I think I got most of it right just because it was an easy problem and I didn’t really have to calculate much to solve, but if it were a much larger equation I am not sure if I would know the formula for getting the right answer. I missed the last one where x = -2. I just solved for 2 making it 4-4=0 (which was the obvious answer) But I see that x = either the positive or negative of the square root of 4.

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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:

From my graph, I see the first trapezoid has a distance of 4 units between the 3 and 7 on the x axis and an average height of 7 units while the 2nd trapezoid has a distance of 40 units between 10 and 50 on the x axis and an average height of 3 units. Although, the height differs slightly, the width is far greater on the 2nd trapezoid, so my conclusion is the second trapezoid has the greater distance.

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.

(Self Critique) I think I answered it almost as close as the first answer given here. I had to actually draw it on graph paper to see how to answer it, but I guess as long as I got the right answer that’s what counts.

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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 if x > 0 Results: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, etc so as we move from left to right the graph increases as its slope increases.

Y = 1/x if x > 0 Results: 1, .5, .33, .25, 0.2, etc so as we move from left to right the graph decreases as the slope decreases

Y = `sqrt(x) if x > 0 Results are approx: 1, 1.414, 1.732, 2 so as we move from left to right the graph increases and the slope increases slightly

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1

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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 am not sure if I answered correctly.

Your answers were good, except that on the last one (y = sqrt(x)) the slope decreases.

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Self-critique Rating:

0

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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:

20 frogs increased by 10% each month = 20 * 0.10 + 20 = 2 + 20 = 22 frogs at the end of the 1st month

Then you have 22 frogs increased by 10% = 22 * .10 + 22 = 2.20 + 22 = 24.20 frogs

24.20 * .10 + 24.20 = 2.42 + 24.20 = 26.62

26.62 * .10 + 26.62 = 2.66 + 26.62 = 29.28

This could go on forever, but not a good solution to finding 300 months. I’m not sure how to do that.

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

2 I think I have part of the answer right

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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. 10 * 1.1 = 22; 22 * 1.1 = 24.2; etc.. So after 300 months you will have multiplied by 1.1 a total of 300 times. This would give you 20 * 1.1^300, whatever that equals (a calculator 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 got the first part of the questions right, but couldn’t figure out how to do the 300 months an easier way. After seeing the given solution I understand how that would make more sense.

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Self-critique Rating:

3

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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:

1/x for

x = 1 = 1

x = .1 = 10

x =.01 = 100

x = .001 = 1,000

Again, this could go on and on and never reach the zero on the x axis.

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):

I believe I have some of the answer right, but did not fully explain how it became steeper as it approached the y axis. I don’t really know how it becomes steeper.

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Self-critique Rating:

0

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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 t + 9 and t = 5

v = 3 * 5 + 9 = 15 + 9 = 24

velocity = 24

If E = 800 v^2 and velocity is 24

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?

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Your solution:

If E = 800v^2 couldn’t you just say E = 800 (v=3t+9)^2

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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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):

I didn’t really need to put the (v= ) inside the equation. It should have been (3t+9)^2

The distributive law just confuses me even more. I need to really have someone show me how to do that again.

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Self-critique Rating:

`g53