MA 153 9:00 - 9:50
Learning Community 6
The Write Stuff: Make a Difference with the Right Sum

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• Posted Assignments
• Regular textbook and reading assignments
• Periodic Internet eGrade assignments
• Periodic writing assignments
   
• Course Resources
• Our Learning Community Page
• Syllabus for John's class and General Course Information
• Why We Use a Team Approach (also includes Team Roles) and Reading the Text
• MA 153 Course Page maintained by Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Sources of Help
• Assistance with Graphing Calculators
• Common Office Hours and Free Tutoring
• Reduce your Math Anxiety
• The complete solutions manual is on reserve in the Helmke Library at the service desk. (See first floor map).
• Additional Sources of Help

• Click here for instructions how to use e-Grade. You should read this in entirety to avoid wasting time and being frustrated.
• To purchase an access code for $14.95 for 1 Term, click here to get to the eGrade e-Commerce Landing Page, then click on the text for this class (Connally, Hughes-Hallett, Gleason / Functions Modeling Change: A Preparation for Calculus, Second Edition). Alternatively you could order by phone by contacting Customer Care.
• If problems, you can go to the Wiley Customer Support Site to view answers to previously asked questions, submit a problem, or conduct a live chat with technical support.
• Below we will keep a running list of what has been assigned:
  E-HW 1 Syllabus Quiz, due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Sept 7.
  E-HW 2 Topics from Chapter 1, due 11:59 pm., Monday, Sept 12.
  E-HW 3 Topics from Chapter 2, due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Sept 14.
  E-HW 4 Selected Topics from 3.1 and 3.2, due 11:59 pm., Monday, Oct. 3
  E-HW 5 Topics from Chapter 3, due 11:59 pm., Friday, Oct. 7
  E-HW 6 Topics from Chapter 4 is due 11:59 pm Wednesday, Oct. 19
  E-HW 7 Topics from Sections 5.1-5.3 is due 11:59 pm, Monday, Nov. 7
  E-HW 8 Sections 5.5, 8.1 is due 11:59 pm, Friday, Nov. 11.
  E-HW 9 Topics from Chapter 9  is due 11:59 pm, Monday, Nov. 28
  E-HW 10 Asymptotes  is due 11:59 pm, Wednesday, Nov. 30
  E-HW 11 Rational Functions  is due 11:59 pm, Friday, Dec. 9

Regular textbook and reading assignments [Back to TOP]

Class Date	Assignment
Monday, 8-22	What a great first day! We discussed the learning community theme and had student introductions (saying our name followed by something interesting about ourselves) with timers scattered around the classroom. (Timers all began at once, and were stopped after the pth person spoke.) After collecting this data, we decided that the time, T, was the dependent variable, since it depended on the number of persons, p, which is the independent variable; consequently, it made sense that plot p on the horizontal axis, and T on the vertical axis.  After predicting what the graph would look like, we asked whether the relation below was a function, and, once it was represented graphically, it was argued that the vertical line test showed that it was indeed the case. We decided to call it N. Some good questions arose: What is the vertical line test? [If a vertical line intersects a graph more than once, it is not a function.] Why does it work? [A function must have only one output for every input.] What is the value of  N(19)? [158]. Interpret N(19) = 158. [It took 158 seconds for 19 people to speak.] What kind of equation might be a good model for this function? [Linear] Pick a pair of points and find the slope between them. [This varied, but ranged from 7 to 7.6] What are the units on the slope? Intepret its meaning. [7.6 sec per person. This is about how long it took each of us to share our name and something interesting about ourselves.] What are four ways to represent a function. [See below. This is the Rule of 4.] Suggest a reasonable equation. [Varies, but a choice like y = 7.6x was reasonable. T = 7.6p is equivalent.]   The function N represented as a table:   p T 11 96 14 115 16 129 19 158 21 173 24 196 The function N represented as a graph:   The function N represented as a words: "The number of seconds, T, which have elapsed since the timers were started for p persons to state their name and share something interesting about themselves. The function N represented as an equation:   T = N(p) = 7.6p We repeated the data collection of time vs. number of persons, saying name preceded by an adjective with first letter of first name (Jumping John, Miraculous Mary, etc.), only each person had to say all names of persons who have spoken previously. We made predictions of what this data should look like.  (If you're curious, compare the two graphs.)We also established our criteria for what an effective group looks like. To show that "the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts," we collectively made it rain. The class concluded with an overview of the MA 153 Syllabus. A syllabus quiz will be given on the Internet next week. Due Wednesday, 8-24: Read: General Course Information, Syllabus, and Section 1.1 and 1.2 Do:     Section 1.1 -- 3-9, 12, 19-23, purchase eGrade, and get a TI-83 Plus/TI-84 Plus.
Wednesday, 8-24	We used TI Navigator to collect a brief quiz on the first day's activities and the assigned reading. Discussed this:  Match the Verbal to the Table to the Graph Due Friday, 8-26: Read: Section 1.3 and 1.4 Do:     Section 1.2 -- 3, 4, 5 and get ready for QUIZ 1 over prerequisites. Complete successive rates of change for the tables in Match the Verbal to the Table to the Graph.
Friday, 8-26	Took QUIZ 1 over prerequisites and updated the OS and APPs  on calculators to run TI -Navigator. We looked at the average rates of change over each interval on the handout Match the Verbal to the Table to the Graph to see how this quantitatively described what was discussed in the last class. This led to the revelation that a linear function must have a constant average rate of change. We talked about functions which were increasing and decreasing, and how to define this using the average rate of change.  We discussed Income Gap, and argued choice c since the slope of the segment connecting (1995, f(1995)) and (2000, f(2000)) is the largest. We divided the tables in Section 1.3 Numbers 1-5 among the class to determine which were linear. For those which were, we reviewed how to find equations. Due Monday, 8-29: Read: Section 1.5 Do:     Section 1.2 --  8, 9, 14 and Section 1.3 -- 7-14, 18, 22-26 Due Friday, 9-2: Writing Assignment 1: World Population and eGrade Syllabus Quiz over Syllabus and General Course Information.
Monday, 8-29	Group  assignments were made. We started with a reading quiz, done first individually and then in groups, concerning Section 1.3 Example 1. Afterwards, we helped Buzz Lightyear determine the relationship between the number of knots in a rope and its length. Due Wednesday, 8-29: Read: Section 1.5 Do:     Section 1.4--  14-23, 26, 27, 30, 34 and prepare for QUIZ 2 over 1.1 and 1.2 Due Friday, 9-2: eGrade Syllabus Quiz over Syllabus and General Course Information.  Writing Assignment 1: World Population [+2 Bonus] How many people can our planet support? Cite a source.
Wednesday, 8-31	Due Friday, 9-2: Read: Section 2.1 and 2.2 Do:     Section 1.5 -- 1 through 17, 19, 21-23 Due Friday, 9-2: Writing Assignment 1: World Population [+2 Bonus] How many people can our planet support? Cite a source. Due Wednesday, 9-7: eGrade Syllabus Quiz over Syllabus and General Course Information.
Friday, 9-2:	We examined  Ms. Gulch Rides Again Due Wednesday, 9-7: Read: Section 2.1 and 2.2 Do:     Section 2.1 -- 9-13, 16, 18, 20            Section 2.2 – 24-27            Chapter 2 Review (page 91) -- 19, 20, 22-26 and            do this Reading Quiz on your calculator before coming to class.            Get ready for QUIZ 3 over 1.3-1.5            Get your eGrade Syllabus Quiz done over Syllabus and General Course Information.
Wed., 9-7	Took QUIZ 3 over 1.3-1.5 Read: Section 2.3 and 2.4 Do:     Section 2.2 – 1-23            Get your eGrade Syllabus Quiz done over Syllabus and General Course Information tonight.            Make it a 10/10, Rhinos!            E-HW 2 Topics from Chapter 1, due 11:59 pm., Monday, Sept 12.            E-HW 3 Topics from Chapter 2, due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Sept 14.            Click HERE for a review for Test 1, Chapters 1 and 2 for Friday, Sept. 16.
Fri., 9-9	Read: Section 2.4 (again!) and 2.5 Do:     Section 2.3 – 10, 11 and Section 2.4 – 1-13, 19, 20 plus do this Take Home Reading Quiz on your calculator before coming to class.            eGrade E-HW 2 Topics from Chapter 1, due 11:59 pm., Monday, Sept 12. Click HERE.            eGrade E-HW 3 Topics from Chapter 2, due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Sept 14. Click HERE.            Click HERE for a review for Test 1, Chapters 1 and 2 for Friday, Sept. 16. Note: Bonfire and Hog Roast with Vegetarian Alternatives (Free), 6 -10 pm, Sept 9, 2005, McKay Farm (Across the river by the Plex.) Check it out: Come to class early Monday for donuts, thanks to Peer Mentor Jimmy. From 8:00 am - 9:00 am.
Monday, 9-12	Read: Section 2.6 Do:     Section 2.4 –14-17 and Section 2.5 – 3-16, 18 and Chapter 2 Review (page 91) -- 28, 33ab, 36. Also do eGrade E-HW 3 Topics from Chapter 2 (Click HERE.), due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Sept 14. Click HERE for a review for Test 1, Chapters 1 and 2 for Friday, Sept. 16.
Wed., 9-14	We looked at the height of a tomato as it was tossed into the air, given an equation and using our calculator to determine such questions as How high did it go? When did it reach its maximum height? What was the initial height of the tomato before it was thrown? When did it hit the ground?            eGrade E-HW 3 Topics from Chapter 2, due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Sept 14. Click HERE.            Click HERE for a review for Test 1, Chapters 1 and 2 for Friday, Sept. 16.
Fri., 9-16	Test 1
Mon., 9-19	We discussed exponential growth, setting the stage for the movie Outbreak. Read: Section 3.1 and 3.2 Do:     Section 3.1 -- 1, 2, 5, 8, 9-14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 33
Wed. 9-20	We modeled a pandemic of the Asian Flu. Read: Section 3.2 Do: Section 3.1 -3, 4, 6, 7, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 25 and Section 3.2 -- 1-5, 11, 25 and Chapter 3 Review 12, 14
Fri. 9-21	Read: Section 3.3 Re-read Malthus (Section 3.2) Do: Section 3.2 - 3, 38, 40. Writing Assignment 2 is due Wednesday, Sept 28.
Mon., 9-26	Read: Section 3.3 and 3.4 Do:     Section 3.2 -- 1-5, 11, 15, 17, 20, 29, 31-33, 35, 38, 39 and prepare for QUIZ 5 on Wed., Sept 28 over 3.1 and 3.2. Writing Assignment 2 is due Wednesday, Sept 28. E-HW 4 Selected Topics from 3.1 and 3.2, due 11:59 pm., Monday, Oct. 3.Click HERE.
Wed., 9-28	Read: Section 3.4  (again!) Do:     Section 3.3 –1-15, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, 30, 34, 35 E-HW 4 Selected Topics from 3.1 and 3.2, due 11:59 pm., Monday, Oct. 3.Click HERE.
Fri., 9-30	Handouts: Compound Interest and Compounding Interest Continuously Read: Section 3.4 (again!) Do:     Section 3.4 –1, 2, 7abc -10abc, 13, 20abc, 21a, 27, 30 E-HW 4 Selected Topics from 3.1 and 3.2, due 11:59 pm., Monday, Oct. 3.Click HERE.
Mon., 10-3	Read: Section 4.1 Do:     Section 3.4 – 3, 4, 7d-10d, 12 and 15, 16, 17 (Solve graphically or with at table at this point), 18, 19, 20d, 21b, 28, 29. E-HW 4 Selected Topics from 3.1 and 3.2, due 11:59 pm tonight, Monday, Oct. 3. Click HERE. E-HW 5 Topics from Chapter 3, due 11:59 pm., Friday, Oct. 7. Click HERE.
Wed. 10-5	Handouts: Logarithm Worksheet  (Here's the Answer key) Read: Rest of Section 4.1 Do: Section 4.1 –1-10, 19-21, 22ab, 23ac, 24, 49, 50 and prepare for QUIZ 6 on 3.3 and 3.4 E-HW 5 Topics from Chapter 3, due 11:59 pm., Friday, Oct. 7. Click HERE.
Fri. 10-7	Re-read: Section 4.1
Mon. 10-10	Fall Break
Wed. 10-12	Handouts: Why are the Logarithm Properties True? (Here's the Answer Key ) Read:  Section 4.2 Do:      Section 4.1 – 11-32, 34-36
Fri. 10-14	Took QUIZ 7 over 4.1 Read:  Section 4.3 Do:      Section 4.2 – 1-15,  23-27, 31,35, 37, 43-46, 49 E-HW 6 Topics from Chapter 4, due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Oct. 19. Click HERE. Click HERE for a review for Test 2, Chapters 3 and 4 for Friday, Oct 21.
Mon. 10-17	Do:      Section 4.3 – 13-19, 30, 32a E-HW 6 Topics from Chapter 4, due 11:59 pm., Wednesday, Oct. 19. Click HERE. Click HERE for a review for Test 2, Chapters 3 and 4 for Friday, Oct 21.
Wed. 10-19	E-HW 6 Topics from Chapter 4, due 11:59 pm., tonight. Click HERE Prepare for Test 2 on Friday. Click HERE for a review. For Monday, read Section 5.1
Fri. 10-21	Test 2
Mon., 10-24	Due Wednesday 10-26: Handouts: Heating Schedule Read:  Section 5.2 Do:      Section 5.1 – -- 1, 2, 17, 32, 33ab, 34a, 35
Wed., 10-26	Read:  Section 5.2 Do:      Section 5.1  – 3-26, 31, 37, 39, 40 and Chapter 5 Review  -- 1-3
Fri., 10-28	Handouts: Worksheet 5.2 Read:  Section 5.3 Do:      Section 5.2 – 2-10, 18-22, 26-30, 36, 39, 40
Mon., 10-31	Handouts: Worksheet 5.3 Read:  Section 5.5 Do:      Section 5.3 – 2 through 28 (student’s choice) and WR3: Worksheet 5.5 E-HW 7 Topics from Sections 5.1-5.3 is due 11:59 pm, Monday, Nov. 7. Click HERE.
Wed. Nov 2	Read:  Section 8.1 and 9.1 Do: Section 5.5  –  3-8, 14, 20 E-HW 7 Topics from Sections 5.1-5.3 is due 11:59 pm, Monday, Nov. 7. Click HERE.
Fri., Nov. 4	Took QUIZ 8 Read:  Section 8.1 and 9.1 Do:      Section 5.5– 3-9, 13-20, 25, 28 and Worksheet 8.1A: Effect of Concentration of Drug on Heart Rate E-HW 7 Sections 5.1-5.3 is due 11:59 pm, Monday, Nov. 8. Click HERE. E-HW 8 Sections 5.5, 8.1 is due 11:59 pm, Friday, Nov. 11.  Click HERE.
Mon., Nov 7	Read:  Section 9.2 Do:      Section 8.1 – 1, 4-21, 29, 40, 58 and Worksheet 8.1B E-HW 7 Sections 5.1-5.3 is due 11:59 pm, tonight. Click HERE. E-HW 8 Sections 5.5, 8.1 is due 11:59 pm, Friday, Nov. 11.  Click HERE.
Wed. Nov 9	Read:  Section 9.2 Do: Section 9.1 -- 1-10, 22-25, 27, 37, 38, 41 Get ready for QUIZ 9 on 5.5 E-HW 8 Sections 5.5, 8.1 is due 11:59 pm, Friday, Nov. 11.  Click HERE.
Fri., Nov. 11	Read:  Section 9.2 Do: Section 9.1 -- 1-13, 18-21, 28, 29 E-HW 8 Sections 5.5, 8.1 is due 11:59 pm, Friday, Nov. 11.  Click HERE.
Mon. Nov 14	Read:  Section 9.3 Do: Section 9.2  – 1-13, 16, 18, 21
Wed., Nov 16	Read:  Section 9.4 Do: Section 9.3  –   1 through 10, 34 through 39, 43 and prepare for QUIZ 10 on 9.1 (power function shapes)
Fri. Nov. 18	Read: Section 9.4 and White People's Burden Do: Section 9.3  – 14, 19, 21, 28, 30, 45, prepare Worksheet 9.4A and 9.4B, and prepare for QUIZ 11 on 9.1-9.4
Mon., Nov 21	Read: Section 9.5 Do: Section 9.4 - 7 through 12 and Worksheet 9.4C E-HW 9 Topics from Chapter 9  is due 11:59 pm, Monday, Nov.28 Click HERE for a review for Test 3, Friday, Dec. 2
Mon., Nov.28	Do:      Section 9.5 -- 1-16 and prepare for QUIZ 12 on 9.5 E-HW 9 Topics from Chapter 9  is due 11:59 pm, Monday, Nov. 28 E-HW 10 Asymptotes  is due 11:59 pm, Wednesday, Nov. 30 Click HERE for a review for Test 3, Friday, Dec. 2 Click HERE for information about the final exam.
Wed., Nov. 30	Read:  Section 9.6 Do:      Section 9.5 -- 21-27 odd E-HW 10 Asymptotes  is due 11:59 pm, Wednesday, Nov. 30 Click HERE for a review for Test 3, Friday, Dec. 2 Click HERE for information about the final exam.
Fri. Dec. 2	Test 3
Mon. Dec. 5	Read:  Section 9.6 Do:      Section 9.5 --1-16, 21-27, 34-44 E-HW 11 Rational Functions  is due 11:59 pm, Friday, Dec. 9 Holiday Amnesty:  You may redo all past eGrade assignments for credit up until 11:59 pm Friday, Dec. 9. Click HERE for a review for Test 3, Friday, Dec. 2 Click HERE for information about the final exam.