MATH062N Discussions Latest 2022 November (Full)

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 1 Discussion

Fractions in Everyday Life

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook (Pre-Algebra): Chapter 2, 4

Video Lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

Fractions and mixed numbers are often used in our everyday lives. For example, today I ran 3 1/2 miles.

For the initial post, provide a real-life example in which you would need to add, subtract, multiply, or divide fractions or mixed numbers. Your post should include the following:

An expression representing your given scenario

Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing fractions

A step-by-step explanation detailing how you simplified your expression

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.

 

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 2 Discussion

Translating Verbal Expressions

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook (Pre-Algebra): Chapter 2, 3

Video Lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

The language of math is used all around us, everyday. Verbal phrases can be translated into mathematical expressions. For example, you can write an expression to represent how much a realtor will earn at a 5% commission on a house that costs x dollars as .05x.

For the initial post, create a verbal phrase to describe a real-world scenario and translate it into a mathematical expression.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.

 

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 3 Discussion

Expressions and the Order of Operations

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook (Pre-Algebra): Chapter 3, 7

Video Lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

In English, the placement of punctuation can change the meaning of the entire sentence.

Example

John said "Ben drove too fast"

is different than

"John," said Ben, "drove too fast."

Order of operations is a collection of rules to follow when simplifying an expression.

When it comes to the order of operations, chances are you have probably used this concept before.

For example, say you want to buy a $5 bottle of lotion for 10 family members and 4 friends from work. How much money do you need to budget? To figure this out, you need to use the order of operations:

5 * (10 + 4)

= 5 * 14

= $70

If you don't use the order of operations, your answer will be off:

5 * 10 + 4

50 + 4

= $54

For the initial post, do the following:

Develop your own "real-world" scenario that illustrates the order of operations with at least three different operations.

Use order of operations to solve the expression you developed.

Show what happens with the expression you developed if order of operations is not followed.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.

 

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 4 Discussion

Let's Look at Ratios

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook (Pre-Algebra): Chapter 5, 6

Video Lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

Did you drive to work today? If you did, you used a ratio. Driving 30 miles per hour involves a ratio of two numbers. It can be written as a fraction: (30 miles)/(1 hour), or the way we most commonly see it: 30 mph.

Let's start the discussion this week by identifying other ratios we see in our everyday lives.

Think of an example of a ratio you use in your life or in the workplace.

List the ratio and explain its meaning in context of the application.

Create an equivalent fraction of the ratio that you presented and explain why equivalent fractions would be used in this application.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.

 

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 5 Discussion

Understanding Equations

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook (Pre-Algebra): Chapter 2, 3, 4, 8

Video Lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

Being successful in mathematics requires understanding as opposed to simple memorization. For example, the formula to find the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2L + 2W (where L is length and W is width). Memorizing the formula could be helpful, but, if we understand that the perimeter is the distance around the rectangle, we are able to construct the formula and apply it to real-world situations correctly.

For the initial post, find another formula that you use in your daily life, and explain the meaning behind it.

For example, the formula to calculate sales tax on a purchase is sales tax = 0.0825x. The coefficient, 0.0825, is the current tax rate of 8.25%. The variable, x, is the amount of your purchase.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.

 

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 6 Discussion

Linear Relationships

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook (Pre-Algebra): Chapter 11

Textbook (Elementary Algebra): Chapter 4

Video Lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

Have you ever ridden a bike uphill? Have you ever skied down a mountain? If so, you know what slope is all about! "Rate of change" is just a way of asking for the slope in a real-world problem; that is the focus of this discussion.

For example, say your current cable bill is $100 plus $10 for every Pay-Per-View movie that you rent during the billing period. The model for your cable bill is as follows:?

y = 10x + 100, where x = number of Pay-Per-View movies

What is the rate of change? The rate of change or slope is 10. The constant is 100, which is the initial amount that you have to pay even if no Pay-Per-View movies were rented.

For the initial post, address the following:

Create a linear relationship (equation) that you would use or rely on in your field or everyday life.

Explain what the linear equation is used for in context of the application.

Identify the initial condition, such as your initial bill, and the rate of change. For a linear equation, the rate of change (slope).

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.

 

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 7 Discussion

Exponents and Polynomials in the Real World

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbook (Elementary Algebra): Chapter 6

Video Lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

The use of complex math, including exponents, is instrumental in many fields. Exponents are used in scientific, financial, and economic applications. Such math is also used to solve problems and make predictions in your personal life as well. One important formula that requires the understanding of exponents is the present value formula. Present value, PV, is a widely used formula that calculates the present day value of an amount that is received at a future date.

The Present Value Formula is PV = FV/?(1+r)?^n ,where PV is the present value that will amount to FV dollars in n years at interest rate r compounded annually.

For the initial post, think of something you want or need that has a future cost between $5,000 and $90,0000. For example, maybe you want to save up for your child's college education or maybe you want to save for a cabin on the lake. Assume you have an investment, which provides between 6% and 11% interest compounded annually, and you want to purchase your desired item in 15 years. What is the present value? In other words, how much money do you need to invest today?

Include the following in your discussion:

State the FV or cost of the desired item in n = 15 years.

State he interest rate, r, you will earn on your investment (use an annual rate between 6% and 11%).

Set up the formula and solve for the present value, PV, showing all work.

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.

 

MATH062N Beginning Algebra

Week 8 Discussion

Math in the Real World

Required Resources

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

Textbooks: Review all chapters

Video Lectures: Review all lectures

Instructor supplied resources

Student chosen resources (optional)

Initial Post Instructions

It's not hard to find interesting examples of math in the real world because math is everywhere, including advertising. Whether an airline is touting the amount you will save flying with them or a toothpaste company is informing you that 4 out of 5 dentists recommend their product, using math is one way advertisers try to get you to buy their product or service.

For this final discussion, find an online advertisement or news article that uses math. Include the following in your post:

Provide the link to the advertisement or article.

Explain how the advertisement/article uses math.

Determine if this is an effective way to promote their product. Why or why not?

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer or the instructor. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Remember to go above the "Good job" and "I agree" type of replies. You want to show analysis in your replies...show what you have learned from the week. Here are some things that you can do:

Summarize what you learned from their post.

Show how you would have simplified their presented expression in a different way.

Ask extension questions to further dialogue.