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14:24:27 `q003. If you are working on a VHCC computer, it is probably set up in such a way as to return to its original configuration when it is rebooted. To avoid losing information it is suggested that you back up your work frequently, either by emailing yourself a copy or by using a key drive or other device. This is a good idea on any computer. Please indicate your understanding of this suggestion.
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RESPONSE --> I understand.
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ÉäzÜ³à‡ªÃ a‡ÝÑÂÕ¹Ïö¼²ì assignment #001 001. typewriter notation qa initial problems 05-19-2008
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15:05:31 `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 --> The difference is that the first should be read and calculated as x - (2/x)+4. i would evaluate by dividing 2/2. Then proceed left to right. So, 2-1+4= 5 The second is evaluated by doing the math in the parenthesis then dividing. So, 0/6=0 confidence assessment: 3
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15:10:08 `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 --> The difference between 2 ^ x + 4 and 2 ^ (x + 4) is in the first 2 ^ x will be evaluated first, then this is added to 4. In the second, the (x + 4) is evaluated first then 2 is raised to this calculation. I feel confident about my answers from the previous question. However I did make a mistake by accidentally thinking the bottom of (x - 2) / (x - 4) = (2 - 2) / ( 4 - 2) was (4+2) instead. My logic and the way I would have done the calculation would have led me to the correct result if I had not made this silly error. confidence assessment: 3
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15:11:45 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 accidentally forgot to evaluate. 2 ^ x + 4 if x=2 is 2^2 +4=8 2 ^ (x + 4) if x=2 is 2^6=64 self critique assessment: 3
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15:18:56 `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 --> numerator: the numerator is 3. denominator: the denominator is [ (2x-5)^2 * 3x + 1 ]. I determined this by the brackets surronding these variables and numbers. if x=2: then 2- [3/(2*2-5)^2 (3*2 +1)] -2 - 7*2 after setting everything with a common denominator of 14, the answer is -202/14. simplified its -101/7 confidence assessment: 2
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15:20:22 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 --> Again, I made a mistake of subtracting 14 instead of adding it. Should have gotten the write answer if I was paying attention self critique assessment: 2
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15:23:54 `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 --> The first step is to evaluate the exponent using x=4. So it is now 2*4 -1 which is 7. Now enter x in for the parenthesis. (4-5) is -1. Now we have (-1)^7 which will equal -1. Now we have 3/x. Enter in 4 and we have 3/4. Then subtract two from the answer. At this point we have, -1+(3/4) -2 This will equal -9/4 confidence assessment: 2
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15:26:17 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 --> I did not do this problem correctly. I did not group the numbers correctly, and i assumed a parenthesis around -1 but there should not be. If -1 is raised to an even number it will still be negative. self critique assessment: 1
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15:26:58 *&*& 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 it is necessary to understand this notation. self critique assessment: 2
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15:29:45 `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 --> This page offers a lesson on typerwriter notation. It offers a number of examples and will show you the correct mathmatical notation. confidence assessment:
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15:30:37 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 --> I understand I'll need a good understand as I am taking University Phyics self critique assessment: 2
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15:31:26 end program
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RESPONSE --> I have gone through the numerous examples. self critique assessment: 3
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