Week 1, Discussion Question 1

Explain a real-world problem that you used math to solve. Whatmathematical expressions did you use in your problem solving?Define your variables and explain your expression.

Week 1, Discussion Question 2

Why is it important to follow the order of operations? What aresome possible outcomes when the order of operations is ignored? Ifyou invented a new notation where the order of operations was madeclear, what would you do to make it clear?

Week 1, Discussion Question 3

What is the difference between prime numbers and composite numbers?How are prime numbers and composite numbers related? Prime numbersare often used in cryptography. Why do you think prime numberswould be more useful for the creation of codes than compositenumbers?

Week 2 Discussion Question 1
 
If the cost of a cell phone has decreased 400% during the past 10years, does that correspond to a cost decrease of four times?Explain your answer as though you were talking to someone who hasnever taken algebra.

Week 2 Discussion Question 2
 
What are the four steps for solving an equation? Should any otherfactors be accounted for when solving an equation? Should anyfactors be accounted for when explaining how to solve an equation?Explain your answer.

Week 2 Discussion Question #3
What resources are available to help you do well in this course?Which resources do you think will help you the most? Why? How doyou plan to use the resources available to optimize your learningover the next 8 weeks?

Week 3, Discussion Question 1

Can a linear equation and a linear inequality be solved in the sameway? Explain why. What makes them different?

Week 3, Discussion Question 2

What are the four steps for solving a problem? Should any otherfactors be accounted for when solving a problem? Should any factorsbe accounted for when explaining how to solve a problem? Explainyour answer.

Week 4, Discussion Question 1

What is the difference between a scatter plot and a line graph?Provide an example of each. Does one seem better than the other? Inwhat ways is it better?

Week 4, Discussion Question 2

If a line has no y-intercept, what can you say about the line? Whatif a line has no x-intercept? Think of a real-life situation wherea graph would have no x- or y-intercept. Will what you say aboutthe line always be true in that situation?

Week 5, Discussion Question 1

Imagine that a line on a Cartesian graph is approximately thedistance y in feet a person walks in x hours. What does the slopeof this line represent? How is this graph useful? Provide anotherexample for your colleagues to explain.

Week 5, Discussion Question 2

What are the differences among expressions, equations, andfunctions? Provide examples of each.

Week 5 Discussion Question #3
Explain the concept of modeling. How does a model describe knowndata and predict future data? How do models break down? Can youthink of an example?

Week 6, Discussion Question 1
How do you write a system of linear equations in two variables?Explain this in words and by using mathematical notation in anequation.

Week 6, Discussion Question 2
What are two symbolic techniques used to solve linear equations?Which do you feel is better? Explain why.

Week 7, Discussion Question 1

How many solution sets do systems of linear inequalities have? Dosolutions to systems of linear inequalities need to satisfy bothinequalities? In what case might they not?

Week 7, Discussion Question 2

Do the equations x = 4y + 1 and x = 4y ? 1 have the same solution?How might you explain your answer to someone who has not learnedalgebra?

Week 7 Discussion Question #3
Come up with an example of a real world application of systems ofinequalities. Feel free to show even an example or problem fromyour readings or MyMathLab. Explain your problem to the class andset up the systems of inequalites for your classmates. Then do notsolve the inequalities. Let your classmates do this part. Come backand check their solutions and comment or help them with solvingyour problem.

Week 8, Discussion Question 1

Using the readings discussed in this course, provide one real-wordapplication of the information learned that has been the mostvaluable to you. Why has it been valuable?

Week 8, Discussion Question 2

How do you think you will use the information you learned in thiscourse in the future? Which concepts will be most important to you?Which will be least important? Explain your answers

Week 8 Discussion Question #3
What are the practical uses of scientific notation? Why isscientific notation so important in modern-day society? Give atleast one example.

Week 9, Discussion Question 1

Provide one real-world example of when graphing could be useful. Doyou think you would ever use graphing in your life to solveproblems? Explain why or why not.

Week 9, Discussion Question 2

Knowing what you know now about mathematics, how would you explainto a friend the value of mathematics in everyday life?

Week 9 Discussion Question #3
If your son or daughter asked you why they needed to learn math inschool, what would you tell them?

Week 9 Discussion Question #4
What concept learned in this course was the easiest for you tograsp? Why do you think it was easy for you? Which was the hardest?What would have made it easier to learn?