course Phy 201 ??????y???assignment #001
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13:34:36 `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 --> When solving for x - 2 / x + 4, you simply plug in the number 2 for x and 2 - 2 / 2 + 4 calculates to the answer 5, but when you plug in 2 for x on (x - 2) / (x + 4), you have to do what is in the parathesis first. Therefore, (2 - 2) / (2 + 4) ends up being 0, because 2 -2 = 0, and 2 + 4 = 6 , but 0 / 6 = 0. confidence assessment: 3
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13:44:40 `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 --> I understand, and my answer was the same, but I understand that I need to be more precise on my answers. In the first equation, 2 ^ x + 4, the exponentiation is done first. So, 2 ^ 2 = 4, then 4 is added to the previous step, making the equation equal 8. In the second equation, 2 ^ ( x + 4), what is in the parathesis is completed first. So, (2 + 4) = 6 , then 2 is raised up to the sixth power, (2 ^ 6) is equal to 64. confidence assessment: 3
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13:46:19 2 ^ 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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RESPONSE --> I understand, and I agree with the answer, I recieved the same answer, although I described it differently. self critique assessment: 2
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13:59:00 `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 --> The numerator in the fraction is x - 3 and the denominator is [ (2x - 5)^2 * 3x + 1 ] - 2 + 7x When evaluating the expression, first you do what is in paranthesis, so (2(2) - 5) ^ 2 = 1 then 1*3(2)+1= 7 therefore, (2) - 3 / [7] -2 + 7(2) = 13.57 confidence assessment: 2
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14:02:38 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 --> I understand why I got the numerator wrong. And I slowly understand why x isn't part of the fraction, and I understand why I got the problem wrong because I didn't procede to do order of operations. self critique assessment: 2
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14:13:11 `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 --> Do what is in paranthese first, so (4 - 5) =-1, then plug in the -1 to the equation. So, (-1) ^ 2(4)-1+3 / (4) -2= 1.75 confidence assessment: 1
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14:17:06 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.?......!!!!!!!!................................... RESPONSE --> I made both of the common mistakes, and I understand how I messed up on the first part and on the second part I tried to multiply 2 * 4 but (-1) ^ 2 must be done first. self critique assessment: 1
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14:19:15 *&*& 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 understand that I should write down each equation on paper, and try to work it out on paper first and then use the proper notation when displaying my answers to recieve the proper credit and to understand if I am completing the material correctly or not. self critique assessment: 2
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14:21:20 `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 --> When I opened this website and opened a few of the listed links, it shows how to properly write out the problems provided. confidence assessment: 2
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14:22:43 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 --> ok self critique assessment: 3
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14:23:12 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 --> self critique assessment: 3
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