This Discussion will help us learn to develop our own mathematical models, write down the equations and then solve the equations for unknown values using algebraic methods.

1. Refer back to Week One Discussion and use the names and ages of yourself and the other two people you selected. Make sure one is older than you and one is younger than you.

2. In years, how old was the older person when you were born?

3. Write an equation that models how old in years each of you will be, when your ages add up to 150 years old. For example, if x = your age and the eldest person was a year older than you, you would write their age as x + 1. Then the equation would be: x + (x+1) = 150.

4. Explain the reasoning which helped you develop your equation.

5. Solve for your future ages. Are your answers reasonable, do they add up to 150?

6. In years, how old were you when the youngest person was born?

7. At some point during the lives of you and the youngest person, your age will be three times his/her age at that moment. Write an equation which models how old in years each of you will be when you are three times as old as the younger person.

8. Explain the reasoning which helped you develop your equation.

9. Solve the equation for your ages when you are three times as old as the youngest person. Are your answers reasonable?

10. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings. Check their equations and investigate for mathematical errors. Help with a constructive critique.

Your initial post should be at least 150 words in length. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.