kdk239emailvccsedu

#$&*

course MTH 151

1/13/2015 10:30 pm

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

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Your solution:

(x-2) /( x+4) ( 2-2) / (4+2) 0/6 =0 following order of operation you do parentheses first then the division.

2-2/2+4 2/2 = 1 2-1+4 =5 divide first then add and subtract.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe 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 / 6 = 0.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

Ok

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Self-critique Rating:3

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Question: `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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Your solution:

2^2 +4 = 4+4 = 8 exponents first then do addition .

2^(2+4) 2^6 = 64 do the parentheses first then do the exponents.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`a2 ^ x + 4 indicates that you are to raise 2 to the x power before adding the 4.

2 ^ (x + 4) indicates that you are to first evaluate x + 4, then raise 2 to this power.

If x = 2, then

2 ^ x + 4 = 2 ^ 2 + 4 = 2 * 2 + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8.

and

2 ^ (x + 4) = 2 ^ (2 + 4) = 2 ^ 6 = 2*2*2*2*2*2 = 64.

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `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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Your solution:

3 is the numerator because it is on top of the fraction.

The denominator is [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] becuase it is on the bottom of the fraction. Not everything is in parenthesis so you cannot assume that the fraction is x-3 / [(2x -5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] - 2 + 7x.

The answer is 2 -3 / [ (2(2)-5)^2 * 3(2) + 1 ] - 2 + 7(2) = first you do what is in parentheses 2-3/ [ (4-5)^2 * 6 + 1 ] - 2 +14 . (-1)^2 * 6+1 = 1 * 6 = 6 +1 = 7

2-3 / 7 - 2+14

x=13.57

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe 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 ].

STUDENT COMMENT: I wasn't sure if the numerator would be 3 or -3. or is the subtraction sign just that a sign in this case?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: In this case you would regard the - sign as an operation to be performed between the value of x and the value of the fraction, rather than as part of the numerator. That is, you would regard x - 3 / [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] as a subtraction of the fraction 3 / [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] from the term x.

STUDENT QUESTION: There was another question I had about this problem that wasn’t addressed. At the end when you changed the order of operation from

2 - 2 + 14 - 3/7 = 14 - 3/7

where did the 98/7 - 3/7 come into play before the end solution of 95/7? I must have forgotten how to do this part.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: It's not clear how you can get 95/7 without this step.

To do the subtraction 14 - 3/7 both terms must be expressed in terms of a common denominator. The most convenient common denominator is 7.

So 14 must be expressed with denominator 7. This is accomplished by multiplying 14 by 7 / 7, obtaining 14 * 7 / 7 = 98 / 7. Since 7/7 = 1, we have just multiplied 14 by 1. We chose to use 7 / 7 in order to give us the desired denominator 7.

Thus our subtraction is

14 - 3/7 =

98/7 - 3/7 =

(98 - 3) / 7 =

95 /7.

STUDENT COMMENT

It took me a while to think thru this one especially when I got to working with the fraction. Fractions have always been my

weak spot. Any tips to make working with fractions a little easier is greatly appreciated.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Fractions are seriously undertaught in our schools, so your comment is not unusual.

I have to focus my attention on the subject matter of my courses, and while I do address it to a point, I don't have time to do justice to the subject of fractions. In any case , to do so would be redundant on my part, since there are a lot of excellent resources on the Internet.

I suggest you search the Web using something like 'review of fractions', and find something appropriate to your needs. You should definitely review the topic, as should 95% of all students entering your course.

STUDENT COMMENT

I think I am confused on why the Numerator is not the top portion and denominator the bottom portion of the problem.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Everything is on one line so there is no top or bottom in the given expression. A numerator and denominator are determined by a division of two expressions.

As we know, a denominator divides a numerator. In the given expression the division sign occurs between the 3 and the [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ], so 3 is the numerator and [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] is the denominator.

x is not divided by the denominator, since the division occurs before the subtraction. For the same reason the -2 + 7x is not involved in the division. So neither the x nor the -2 + 7 x is part of the fractional expression.

STUDENT COMMENT

Didn’t know that 3 / 7 was 3/7 as a

fraction.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

3/7 is treated as a fraction because of the order of operations. 3 must be divided by 7 before any other operation is applied to either number, and 3 divided by 7 is the fraction 3/7.

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Self-critique (if necessary): Ok

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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

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Your solution:

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

-1 ^ 2 * 4 = 1*4 = 4 -1 + 3/4 -2 =1.75 = 7/4

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aWe get

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

= (-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.

STUDENT QUESTION: if it's read (-1)^8 it would be 1 or would you apply the sign afterward even if it is grouped and it be a -1?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: The 8th power won't occur in this problem, of course, but you ask a good question.

-1^8 would require raising 1 to the 8th power, then applying the negative sign, and the result would be -1.

(-1)^8 would be the 8th power of -1, which as you see would be 1.

STUDENT COMMENT: I think it would be easier to visualize what your trying to raise to the exponent if you actually put parenthesis around the 2, that part seems to get tricky on the computer.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: The expression was intentionally written to be misleading and make the point that, to avoid ambiguity, order of operations apply strictly, no matter what the expression looks like.

Normally, for clarity, the parentheses would be included. They aren't necessary, but when helpful it's a good idea to include them. You can, of course, have too many parentheses in an expression, making it harder than necessary to sort out. In practice we try to strike a balance.

The original expression was

(x - 5) ^ 2x-1 + 3 / x-2

White spaces make no difference in how an expression is evaluated, but they can help show the structure; e.g.,

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

is a visual improvement over the original. The * between the 2 and the x is not strictly necessary, but is also helpful.

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

verges on having too many parentheses at the beginning; it does help clarify the 3 / x.

STUDENT COMMENT

Although I read through your explanation and do see the point you are making, that 2x is actually 2 * x, I still think that

(-1) should be raised to 2x rather than 2. Kaking the answer -11/4, not 7/4.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

When the expression (x - 5) ^ 2x-1 + 3 / x-2 is copied and pasted into a computer algebra system it is translated as

This notation is universal and unambiguous. Any deviation from strict interpretation (which does occur among some authors and among manufacturers of some calculators) tends to result in ambiguity and confusion.

STUDENT COMMENT

While I do understand what you are trying to relate, I will continue to make these mistakes on more than one occasion and will not penalize myself for not rewriting years of mathematics because of a syntax issue in an online class.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

I don't penalize errors in typed notation when the intent is clear (though I will sometimes point out these errors), and when you take your tests you'll be writing them out by hand and this won't be an issue.

However this is not a syntax issue in an online class. This is the order of operations, as it has been since algebra was developed hundreds of years ago, and it's completely consistent with the mathematics you appear to know (quite well).

As stated here, if you use the wrong syntax in any computer algebra system, your expression will not be interpreted correctly. For this reason alone you need to understand the notation.

For this and other valid reasons you need to understand how the order of operations are represented in 'linear' fashion (i.e., 'typewriter notation') and to correctly interpret expressions written in this notatation.

Any mathematics that has been learned correctly is completely consistent with the order of operations and with the notation used in this course. If the mathematics you've learned was inconsistent with the order of operations (and I don't believe this is so in your case, but it is with many students), then you would need to adjust your thinking. Fortunately this is very easy to do. Interpret expressions literally, assume nothing, and everything works out.

You will also find that the notation quickly becomes easy to read and use, and that it expands your comprehension of all mathematical notation.

STUDENT COMMENT

I used -1^(2*4). I didn't realize that was doing multiplication before exponents. All of this typewriter notations seems ambiguous to me but I think that had I seen the expression in standard notation I would probably have made the same mistake in this instance. If I were writing this expression I would probably use a parenthesis or * to show the necessary separation.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Parentheses, even when they aren't strictly necessary, are often useful to clarify the expression. An parentheses, even when not necessary, are part of the order of operations.

Spacing is not part of the order of operations. An expression has the same meaning even if all spaces are removed.

However as long as an expression is correctly formed, spacing as well as parentheses can certainly be used to make it more readable.

I don't go to any trouble in this exercise to make the expressions readable, since my goal here is to make the point about order of operations, which give an expression its unambiguous meaning.

However in most of the documents you will be working with, I do make an effort to clarify the meanings of expressions through their formatting, often using unnecessary parentheses and spacing to help clarify meaning.

Certainly I encourage you to do the same.

STUDENT QUESTION

I didn’t separate the ¾ as a stand alone fraction, I am confused about why you don’t treat it as an equation that the

denominator isn’t treated as a denominator.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Your work was good throughout most of this problem. You did forget to copy down a -1 in one of the early steps, but otherwise followed the order of operations correctly until nearly the last step.

However near the end you said that 4+3/4-2=7/2.

You appear to have performed the addition 4 + 3 and the subtraction 4 - 2 before dividing. However the division has to be done first.

The division sign is between the 3 and the 4, so the division is 3/4, and that gives you the fraction 3/4.

Therefore the expression 4+3/4-2 tells you to 'add 3/4 to 4 then subtract 2'.

When actually writing this out we would probably include parentheses. That wasn't done here, as it would have defeated the point being made about order of operations, but for clarity we might have written

4 + (3/4) - 2.

The parentheses are not necessary around the 3/4, since the order of operations is sufficient to unambiguously define the result, but they do make the expression easier to read and reduce the likelihood of error.

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Self-critique (if necessary):3

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `q005. Evaluate the expression x^3x+2/x-1 for x = 2, according to the order of operations. Show all your steps.

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

2^3 = 8(2) +2/2-1

16 +2/2 -1

16+1-1

16

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Your solution: 16

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `q006. At the link

http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/genInfo/introductory problems/typewriter_notation_examples_with_links.htm

(copy this path into the Address box of your Internet browser)

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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Your solution:

I see a site that has several problems and shows them in various forms. It has links beside each one . The site says its for type writing notation.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aYou 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, Mth173-4 and University Physics students need a very good understanding,

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.

end program

STUDENT COMMENT (not quite correct)

I see a collection of typewriter problems, after looking at some of them I see that the slash mark is to create a fraction rather than to denote division.

INSTRUCTOR CORRECTION

A fraction is a division of the numerator by the denominator. The slash mark indicates division, which can often be denoted by a fraction.

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Self-critique (if necessary): ok I did most of this in higher level maths. I like math and understand how to do these problems without the extra review.

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `q007. Standard mathematics notation is easier to look at; it's easier to see the meaning of the expressions.

However 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 probably have to enter expressions using a keyboard, so it is well worth the trouble to get used to this notation.

As one example take a minute and go to Wolfram Alpha at http://www.wolframalpha.com/. If this link doesn't work just search the Web for 'Wolfram Alpha'. When the page comes up, you can simply copy the expression

x - 3 / (2x + 4)

into the box. Think about what you would get were you to evaluate this expression, then click on the = sign.

Repeat the process with each of the following expressions. Be sure you think in each case about what expression you would expect to see.

(x - 3) / (2 x + 4)

x - 2 / 3

(x - 2) / 3

(x+2) ^ 2x

(x+2) ^ (2x)

(x - 3) / 3x

(x - 3) / (3 x)

x - 3 / 3x

Do these expressions act the way most people would expect, or do they act in the way dictated by the order of operations?

Indicate your understanding of why it is important to understand this notation.

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Your solution:

It acts by order of operations. You have to pay specific attention though. Being able to read typewriter notation allows you to perform the problem following with the order of operations correctly.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Self-critique (if necessary):

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Self-critique rating:

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Question: `q007. Standard mathematics notation is easier to look at; it's easier to see the meaning of the expressions.

However 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 probably have to enter expressions using a keyboard, so it is well worth the trouble to get used to this notation.

As one example take a minute and go to Wolfram Alpha at http://www.wolframalpha.com/. If this link doesn't work just search the Web for 'Wolfram Alpha'. When the page comes up, you can simply copy the expression

x - 3 / (2x + 4)

into the box. Think about what you would get were you to evaluate this expression, then click on the = sign.

Repeat the process with each of the following expressions. Be sure you think in each case about what expression you would expect to see.

(x - 3) / (2 x + 4)

x - 2 / 3

(x - 2) / 3

(x+2) ^ 2x

(x+2) ^ (2x)

(x - 3) / 3x

(x - 3) / (3 x)

x - 3 / 3x

Do these expressions act the way most people would expect, or do they act in the way dictated by the order of operations?

Indicate your understanding of why it is important to understand this notation.

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Your solution:

It acts by order of operations. You have to pay specific attention though. Being able to read typewriter notation allows you to perform the problem following with the order of operations correctly.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Self-critique (if necessary):

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Self-critique rating:

#*&!

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

kdk239emailvccsedu

#$&*

course MTH 151

1/13/2015

Question: `q001. Consider the statement 'If that group of six-year-olds doesn't have adult supervision, they won't act in an orderly manner.' Under which of the following circumstances would everyone have to agree that the statement is false?

The group does have supervision and they do act in an orderly manner.

The group doesn't have supervision and they don't act in an orderly manner.

The group doesn't have supervision and they do act in an orderly manner.

The group does have supervision and they don't act in an orderly manner.

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Your solution:

The group doesn't have supervision and they do act in an orderly manner.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe statement says that if the group doesn't have supervision, they will not act in an orderly manner. So if they don't have supervision and yet do act in an orderly manner the statement is contradicted.

If the group does have supervision, the statement cannot be contradicted because condition of the statement, that the group doesn't have supervision, does not hold. The statement has nothing to say about what happens if the group does have supervision.

Of course if the group doesn't have supervision and doesn't act in orderly manner this is completely consistent with the statement.

Therefore the only way to statement can be considered false is the group doesn't have supervision and does act in an overly manner.

Note that what we know, or think we know, about childrens' behavior has nothing at all to do with the logic of the situation. We could analyze the logic of a statement like 'If the Moon is made of green cheese then most six-year-olds prefer collard greens to chocolate ice cream'. Anything we know about the composition of the Moon or the tastes of children has nothing to do with the fact that the only way this statement could be shown false would be for the Moon to be made of green cheese and most six-year-olds to prefer the ice cream.

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Self-critique (if necessary):3

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Self-critique Rating:

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Question: `q002. List the different orders in which the letters a, b and c could be arranged (examples are 'acb' and 'cba'). Explain how you know that your list contains every possible order.

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Your solution: abc acb bac bca cba cab I made a tree chart on paper. those are the only way you can arrange them.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe only reliable way to get all possible orders is to have a system which we are sure the list every order without missing any.

Perhaps the simplest way to construct all possible orders is to list then alphabetically.

We start with abc. There is only one other order that starts with a, and it is obtained by switching the last two letters to get acb.

The next alphabetical order must start with b. The first possible listing starting with b must follow b with a, leaving c for last. The orders therefore bac. The only other order starting with b is bca.

The next order must start with c, which will be followed by a to give us cab. The next order is obtained by switching the last two letters to get cba.

This exhausts all possibilities for combinations of the three letters a, b and c. Our combinations are, in alphabetical order,

abc, acb, bac, bca, cab, cba.

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Self-critique (if necessary):3

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Self-critique Rating:

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Question: `q003. One collection consists of the letters a, c, d and f. Another collection consists of the letters a, b, d and g.

List the letters common to both collections.

List the letters which appear in at least one of the collections.

List the letters in the first half of the alphabet which do not appear in either of the collections.

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Your solution:

common : a and d

appear in the collections : a b c d f g

not listed . e h i j k l m

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aTo letters a and d each appear in both collections. No other letter does.

The letters a, c, d, and f appear in the first collection, so they all in at least one of the collections. In addition to letters b and g appear in the second collection. Therefore letters a, b, c, d, f and g all appear in at least one of the collections.

We consider the letters in the first half of the alphabet, in alphabetical order. a, b, c and d all appear in at least one of the collections, but the letter e does not. The letters f and g also appear in at least one of the collections, but none of the other letters of the alphabet do. The first half of the alphabet ends at m, so the list of letters in the first half of the alphabet which do not occur in at least one of the collections is e, h, i, j, k, l, m.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

ok

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `q004. Give the next element in each of the following patterns and explain how you obtained each:

2, 3, 5, 8, 12, ...

3, 6, 12, 24, ...

1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, ...

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Your solution:

the first one you increase by one every time you add so it will be 17

the second you times by two so you get 48

the third add the numbers together = 29

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aThe pattern of the sequence 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, ... can be seen by subtracting each number from its successor. 3-2 = 1, 5-3 = 2, 8-5 = 3, 12-8 = 4. The sequence of differences is therefore 1, 2, 3, 4, ... . The next difference will be 5, indicating that the next number must be 12 + 5 = 17.

The pattern of the sequence 3, 6, 12, 24, ... can be discovered by dividing each number into its successor. We obtain 6/3 = 2, 12/6 = 2, 24/12 = 2. This shows us that we are doubling each number to get the next. It follows that the next number in the sequence will be the double of 24, or 48.

The pattern of the sequence 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, ... is a little obvious. Starting with the third number in the sequence, each number is the sum of the two numbers proceeding. That is, 1 + 3 = 4, 3 + 4 = 7, 4 + 7 = 11, and 7 + 11 = 18. It follows that the next member should be 11 + 18 = 29.

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Self-critique (if necessary): 3

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Self-critique Rating:

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Question: `q005. The number 18 can be 'broken down' into the product 9 * 2, which can then be broken down into the product 3 * 3 * 2, which cannot be broken down any further . Alternatively 18 could be broken down into 6 * 3, which can then be broken down into 2 * 3 * 3.

Show how the numbers 28 and 34 can be broken down until they can't be broken down any further.

Show that there at least two different ways to break down 28, but that when the breakdown is complete both ways end up giving you the same numbers.

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Your solution:

28 = 2*14

2*2*7

28 = 7*4

= 7*2*2

34= 2*17

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aA good system is to begin by attempting to divide the smallest possible number into the given number. In the case of 34 we see that the number can be divided by 2 give 34 = 2 * 17. It is clear that the factor 2 cannot be further broken down, and is easy to see that 17 cannot be further broken down. So the complete breakdown of 34 is 2 * 17.

To breakdown 28 we can again divide by 2 to get 28 = 2 * 14. The number 2 cannot be further broken down, but 14 can be divided by 2 to give 14 = 2 * 7, which cannot be further broken down. Thus we have 28 = 2 * 2 * 7.

The number 28 could also the broken down initially into 4 * 7. The 4 can be further broken down into 2 * 2, so again we get 28 = 2 * 2 * 7.

It turns out that the breakdown of a given number always ends up with exactly same numbers, no matter what the initial breakdown.

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Self-critique (if necessary): ok

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Self-critique Rating:3

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Question: `q006. Give the average of the numbers in the following list: 3, 4, 6, 6, 7, 7, 9. By how much does each number differ from the average?

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Your solution:

average = 6

3 is 3 awasy

4 is 2 away

6 is 0 away

7 is 1 higher

9 is 3 higher

confidence rating #$&*:

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Given Solution:

`aTo average least 7 numbers we add them in divide by 7. We get a total of 3 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 7 + 7 + 9 = 42, which we then divide by 7 to get the average 42 / 7 = 6.

We see that 3 differs from the average of 6 by 3, 4 differs from the average of 6 by 2, 6 differs from the average of 6 by 0, 7 differs from the average of 6 by 1, and 9 differs from the average of 6 by 3.

A common error is to write the entire sequence of calculations on one line, as 3 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 7 + 7 + 9 = 42 / 7 = 6. This is a really terrible habit. The = sign indicates equality, and if one thing is equal to another, and this other today third thing, then the first thing must be equal to the third thing. This would mean that 3 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 7 + 7 + 9 would have to be equal to 6. This is clearly not the case. It is a serious error to use the = sign for anything but equality, and it should certainly not be used to indicate a sequence of calculations.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

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Self-critique Rating:

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Question: `q007. Which of the following list of numbers is more spread out, 7, 8, 10, 10, 11, 13 or 894, 897, 902, 908, 910, 912? On what basis did you justify your answer?

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Your solution:

13-7 = 6

912-894 =18

The first set is closer because the range is less. So the second set has the most range.

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Given Solution:

`aThe first set of numbers ranges from 7 to 13, a difference of only 6. The second set ranges from 894 to 912, a difference of 18. So it appears pretty clear that the second set has more variation the first.

We might also look at the spacing between numbers, which in the first set is 1, 2, 0, 1, 2 and in the second set is 3, 5, 6, 2, 2. The spacing in the second set is clearly greater than the spacing in the first.

There are other more sophisticated measures of the spread of a distribution of numbers, which you may encounter in your course.

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Self-critique (if necessary): ok

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `q008. 12 is 9 more than 3 and also 4 times 3. We therefore say that 12 differs from 3 by 9, and that the ratio of 12 to 3 is 4.

What is the ratio of 36 to 4 and by how much does 36 differ from 4?

If 288 is in the same ratio to a certain number as 36 is to 4, what is that number?

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Your solution:

36 is 9 to 4 and differs by 32 . 36 is 32 more than 4 .

the number is 32 and the ratio is 32 to 9 for 288.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Given Solution:

`aJust as the ratio of 12 to 3 is 12 / 3 = 4, the ratio of 36 to 4 is 36 / 4 = 9. 36 differs from 4 by 36 - 4 = 32.

Since the ratio of 36 to 4 is 9, the number 288 will be in the same ratio to a number which is 1/9 as great, or 288 / 9 = 32.

Putting this another way, the question asks for a 'certain number', and 288 is in the same ratio to that number as 36 to 4. 36 is 9 times as great as 4, so 288 is 9 times as great as the desired number. The desired number is therefore 288/9 = 32.

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Self-critique (if necessary): Ok

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `q009. A triangle has sides 3, 4 and 5. Another triangle has the identical shape of the first but is larger. Its shorter sides are 12 and 16. What is the length of its longest side?

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Your solution:

3 4 5 12 /3 = 4 16/ 4 = 4 5*4 = 20 the third side is 20 because each side is greater than the other by 4 .

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Given Solution:

`a** You need to first see that that each side of the larger triangle is 4 times the length of the corresponding side of the smaller. This can be seen in many ways, one of the most reliable is to check out the short-side ratios, which are 12/3 = 4 and 16/4 = 4. Since we have a 4-to-1 ratio for each set of corresponding sides, the side of the larger triangle that corresponds to the side of length 5 is 4 * 5 = 20. **

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Self-critique (if necessary):ok

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question: `q010. List the different orders in which John, Mary and Sally can be lined up, from left to right, for a picture.

In how many orders can the three be lined up so that the two women are next to each other?

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Your solution: John , Mary , Sally ; John , Sally Mary ; Sally Mary John , Sally john mary, mary sally john, mary john sally there are a total 6 line ups and only in 4 can the girls be lined up together.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Question: `q011. If John is next to Mary, Sally will be jealous. Sally is jealous. Does it logically follow that John is next to Mary? Explain.

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Your solution:

Yes because sally is only jealous if john is next to Mary. Sally wouldn't be jealous if john wasn't next to Mary.

@&

You don't know that. Sally might be jealous for other reasons. Unless you know this not to be the case, you can't draw your conclusion.

*@

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Question: `q012. By how much does each of the numbers 81, 85, 89, 83, 86, 86 differ from the average of the six numbers? The average is a whole number, and you should be able to figure out the number without using a calculator.

Explain how you got your solution.

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Your solution: 81+85+89+83+86+86 allows the answer to be 85 .

81 differs by four

85 is on the money

89 is 4 more than

83 is 2 less

86 is one more

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Question: `q013. You have blocks colored red, yellow, blue, orange and pink. I have blocks colored yellow, green, blue, purple, brown and white.

How many colors do you have?

How many colors do I have?

How many colors are there all together?

How many colors do we have in common?

How many colors do I have that you don't?

How many colors do you have that I don't?

If I had 9 colors and you had 12, and if there were a total of 18 colors present, then how many colors would I have that you don't, how many would you have that I don't, and how many would we have in common?

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Your solution:

I have 5.

You have 6.

We have 11.

We have 2 in common.

You have four that I do not.

I have 3 you do not.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Question: `q010. List the different orders in which John, Mary and Sally can be lined up, from left to right, for a picture.

In how many orders can the three be lined up so that the two women are next to each other?

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Your solution: The answer to this question is above. I already did it. It's a repeat.

confidence rating #$&*:

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Question: `q014. The number 18 can be 'broken down' into the product 9 * 2, which can then be broken down into the product 3 * 3 * 2, which cannot be broken down any further . Alternatively 18 could be broken down into 6 * 3, which can then be broken down into 2 * 3 * 3.

In how many different ways could we completely break down the number 72?

If we put the numbers in the final breakdown in order from least to greatest, do all possible breakdowns lead to the same result, or is there more than one possible final result?

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Your solution:

72 = 8*9 2*4 *3 *3

2*2*2*3*3

72 = 18 *4

2*9*2*2

2*2*2*3*3

72 = 36*2

2*36

2*4*9

2*2*2*3*3

72=12*6

4*3*3*2

2*2*3*3*2

2*2*2*3*3

72 = 4*18

2*2*9*2

2*2*2*3*3

There are many solutions with all the same answer.

confidence rating #$&*:

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Question: `q015. Of the numbers 1240, 1270, 1320 and 1500, which do you think differs the most from the average of the four numbers? Answer as best you can without doing any calculations, and give your reasoning.

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Your solution:

1500 because it is the farthest away from the other numbers. It jumps from 1320 to 1500 and that's more than the others differ. so it will be the outcast.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Self-critique Rating:3

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