Math 2000 - Assignment 1

Spring 2001

Due January 25

Do not wait until the last minute to start the assignment! It’s best to get an early start and work on it in several steps. Do not hesitate to ask for help before the assignment is due! Office hours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays immediately before and after class in Science 132 or by arrangement. Email also works at wbriggs@math.cudenver.edu.

A. Please read the Prologue of the book. Hopefully it will provide some background for the course and an introduction to the book.

B. Find a major story in a newspaper or news magazine. Write at least two paragraphs (grammar and spelling count!) that (i) briefly summarize the article and (ii) discuss three areas in which quantitative issues play a role in the subject of the article. (This is problem 2 of the Prologue.)

C. The following problems require some critical thinking and basic quantitative reasoning. Please give complete solutions that show all of your work and thinking.

1. A survey shows that of 100 nurses, 75 play soccer, 95 play softball, and 50 play both soccer and softball. Draw a Venn diagram of the results and explain whether the survey can be accurate.

2. The following two statements are direct quotes from news sources. Briefly explain why you think each statement is either clear or ambiguous. If it is ambiguous, what clarification do you need in order to understand it?

a. LOS ANGELES - Two jumbo jets with more than 350 people aboard nearly collided over the city during a landing attempt.

b. There has been an alarming 25% rise in [child abuse] cases between 1988 and 1993, a year when 2.9 million incidents were reported to child welfare agencies.

3. You are planning a trip to Japan six months in advance and discover that you have two choices in purchasing an airline ticket:

(A) the lowest fare is $1600, but $400 of the fare is nonrefundable if you change or cancel the ticket; or

(B) a fully refundable ticket is available for $2900.

a. Suppose you actually end up traveling to Japan. Which plan is better and how much do you save with it?

b. Suppose you actually end up not traveling to Japan. Which plan is better and how much do you save with it?

c. Explain how you would decide (six months in advance) which ticket to buy. Assume that postponing the decision will not lead to other options.