preliminary assignment 

course Mth 164

?????j???????assignment #003

Your work has been received. Please scroll through the document to see any inserted notes (inserted at the appropriate place in the document, in boldface) and a note at the end. The note at the end of the file will confirm that the file has been reviewed; be sure to read that note. If there is no note at the end, notify the instructor through the Submit Work form, and include the date of the posting to your access page.

003. PC1 questions

qa initial problems

01-15-2008

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11:17:51

`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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RESPONSE -->

The second line is steeper because it has a slope of 4. The first line has a slope of 3.

I came to this conclusion using the slope equation of (y1-y2)/(x1-x2)

First equation: (17-5)/(7-3) = 12/4 = 3

Second equation: (29-17)/(10-3) = 12/3 = 4

4 is steeper because of the rise over run principle.

confidence assessment: 3

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11:18:36

The 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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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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11:21:21

`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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RESPONSE -->

When x is substituted for 2 in the first equation, the problem becomes 2-2, which is obviously 0.

When x is substitued for -2.5 in the second equation, the problem becomes 2(-2.5)+5, which reduces to -5+5, which is 0.

confidence assessment: 3

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11:23:23

`q003. For what x values will the expression (3x - 6) * (x + 4) * (x^2 - 4) be zero?

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RESPONSE -->

I should have included in my answer that when the first equation equaled 0 after the substitution, and you mulitiply the two equations together, it equals 0. (Same scenario with the second equation)

confidence assessment: 3

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11:24:05

In 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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RESPONSE -->

I think I missed the last problem..

self critique assessment: 0

&#

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 given solution, and if necessary asking specific questions (to which I will respond).

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11:28:22

`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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RESPONSE -->

The distance between the points in the first set of coordinates is much smaller than the distance between the second set of coordinates meaning the perimeter around the second is larger, making it a larger shape than the second. If it is a larger shape, with larger perimeter, it is common sense that it has a larger area.

confidence assessment: 2

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11:29:16

Your 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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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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11:38:17

* `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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RESPONSE -->

I don't understand what this question is asking.

self critique assessment: 1

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11:40:27

For 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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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 0

&#Try deconstructing the given solution to identify what you do and do not understand. Just send a copy of the question, your answer, the given solution and the self-critique. &#

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11:55:30

`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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RESPONSE -->

The population would have increased by 6.62 frogs, making it 26.62 frogs total. 10% of 20 is 2, so after the first month the population was 22. 10% of 22 is 2.2, so after the second month the population was 24.2. 10% of 24.2 is 2.42, so after the third month the population was 26.62.

confidence assessment: 2

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11:57:14

At 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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RESPONSE -->

I understand the second part of the problem now. I didn't think to raise it to the power of 300.

self critique assessment: 2

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12:02:54

`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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RESPONSE -->

After calculating, I noticed the pattern is that each number is increased by 10 as the pattern goes along. 1, 10, 100, 1000

The x values are approaching 0 because they are decreasing as the pattern goes along. The next number in the pattern would be .0001 then .00001 then .000001, and the values for 1/x continue to increase by 10. 10000, 100000, and 1000000.

confidence assessment: 2

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12:03:41

If 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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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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12:08:31

* `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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RESPONSE -->

First you must find the velocity at t=5.

v= 3(5) + 9

v= 15 + 9

v=27

Second you must plug the velocity you found previously into the energy of motion equation.

E=800(27)^2

E=800(729)

E=583200

self critique assessment: 3

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12:08:41

?

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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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12:09:28

For t=5, v = 3 t + 9 = (3*5) + 9 = 24. Therefore E = 800 * 24^2 = 460800.

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RESPONSE -->

I had an arithmetic error in the first equation adding 15 and 9.

self critique assessment: 2

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12:09:36

?

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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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12:10:45

* `q009. Continuing the preceding problem, can you give an expression for E in terms of t?

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RESPONSE -->

E=800(3t+9)^2

self critique assessment: 3

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12:11:17

Since 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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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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Most responses are good. See my notes on self-critique and respond as appropriate.