Complete Math Discussion
Read the following instructions in order to complete this discussion, and review the example of how to complete the math required for this assignment: Birth date(8/23/83)
1. Write your birth date or the birth date of someone in your family as mm/dd/yy. (Example: March 13, 1981 is written 3/13/81, and November 7, 1967 is written 11/7/67).
o Now let a = the one- or two-digit month number,
o b = the negative of the one- or two-digit day number, and
o c = the two-digit year number.
(Our example: a = 3, b = -13, and c = 81 or a = 11, b = -7, and c = 67)
2. Use the following algebraic expressions for parts 3-5 of the discussion:
3. Evaluate the three given expressions using the a, b, and c from your birth date. Make sure that b is negative when you plug in the values.
4. After you have your math worked out on scratch paper, go back and verbally describe the steps you took to evaluate the expressions. Make sure to use each of the vocabulary words at least once in your writing.
o Did you notice anything interesting about the results of and ? Was this coincidence or do you think there is a reason for this?
5. Incorporate the following five math vocabulary words into your discussion. Use bold font to emphasize the words in your writing (Do not write definitions for the words; use them appropriately in sentences describing your math work.):
o Exponent
o Integer
o Variable
o Lowest terms
o Divisor
Your initial post should be 150-250 words in length.
INSTRUCTOR GUIDANCE EXAMPLE: Week One Discussion
1. I will use the following five vocabulary words in my discussion demonstrating my understanding of their meaning as relating to the math work. exponent integer variable lowest terms divisor
2. I will be using my sister's birth date for this exercise, and it is 21 October 1961. This means I have the following integers to work with: Let a = 10 b = -21 (notice I made the day number negative) c = 61
I will be using the algebraic expressions in A - C given in the assignment for parts 3 - 5 of the discussion.
A) a 3 - b 3 This is the given expression with variables a and b and exponents of 3 on each of them 103 - (-21)3 I have plugged in 10 for variable a and -21 for variable b. 1000 - (-9261) The integers were raised to the given exponents. 1000 + 9261 Minus a negative becomes a plus. 10,261 Here is the final answer.
B) (a - b)(a2 + ab + b2 ) This is the given express which also uses variables a and b. [10 - (-21)][102 + 10(-21) + (-21)2 ] I have plugged in 10 for a and -21 for b in each case. [10 + 21][100 + (-210) + 441] In the first part the two negatives became a plus, and in the second part the squaring and the multiplication was done. 31(100 - 210 + 441) The first addition was done and the signs were simplified. 31(331) The second quantity was simplified. 10,261 Here is the final answer.
C) b - c This expression uses all three variables: a, b, and c. 2b - a It is a rational expression with a divisor of 2b - a. - 21 - 61 The integers have been plugged in for the variables. 2(-21) - 10 - 82 Both numerator and denominator have been evaluated. - 52 Both are negative which means the answer will be positive. 41 This is our answer in lowest terms, and I will leave the 26 answer as an improper fraction.
6. [Student answers will vary on this question depending upon math background and memory.]