MAT 200 Assignments and Rubrics

Assignment: The Solution Due Week 10 and worth 60 points At this point in the course, youve learned enough to tackle some real-world problems and to demonstrate your knowledge by explaining your problem-solving approach in writing. Select one (1) of the three (3) problems listed here. Start this assignment by solving the problem. 1. Under ideal conditions, a population of rats has an exponential growth rate of 13.6% per day. Consider an initial population of 100 rats. a. Find the exponential growth function. b. What will the population be after 7 days? After 2 weeks? c. Find the doubling time. 2. Jack and Susan have just celebrated the birth of a daughter. They want to make a onetime deposit of money into an interest-bearing account so that their daughter will have $50,000 for college at age 18. At a rate of 3.5%, compounded continuously, how much money do they need to deposit? 3. Suzie owns a car and moped. She can afford 14 gallons of gasoline to be split between the car and the moped. Suzies car gets 30 mpg and, with the fuel currently in the tank, can hold at most an additional 12 gallons of gas. Her moped gets 100 mpg and can hold at most 4 gallons of gas. How many gallons of gasoline should each vehicle use if Susie wants to travel as far as possible? What is the maximum number of miles that she can travel? After solving your chosen problem, write a one to two (1-2) page paper providing a step-by-step explanation of how you solved the problem as if you were explaining it to another person. Your explanation should have the following elements, which should be used as headers in your paper: 1. Put the problem in context. (Use a header titled Context.) a. Identify the topics in this course the problem relates to. 2. Explain your choice of method of problem solving. (Use a header titled Method.) a. Explain the variety of ways to solve the problem. b. Provide your rationale for selecting the method you adopted. 3. Write out a step-by-step explanation of how the problem is solved as if you were explaining it to another person. (Use a header titled Explanation.) 4. Clearly state the solution. Solution is correct. (Use a header titled Conclusion.) Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the students name, the professors name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Develop problem-solving skills by applying mathematical concepts to real-world problems and applications. Use technology and information resources to research issues in precalculus. Write clearly and concisely about precalculus using proper writing mechanics.

2013 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. MAT 200 Student Version 1124 (1143 10-8-2013) Final Page 5 of 8

MAT 200 Assignments and Rubrics

Note: Depending on the students selection of topic, the outcome measured might include one (1) of the following: Solve problems involving linear equations, linear inequalities, and systems of linear equations. Solve and graph linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Use matrices and determinants to solve systems of linear equations in two and three variables.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric. Points: 140 Assignment: The Solution Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D
Insufficiently identified the topics in this course the problem relates to. Insufficiently explained the variety of ways to solve the problem. Insufficiently provided your rationale for selecting the method you adopted.

Criteria

Unacceptable Below 60% F

Did not submit or incompletely identified the topics in this course the problem relates to. Did not submit or incompletely explained the variety of ways to solve the problem. Did not submit or incompletely provided your rationale for selecting the method you adopted. Did not submit or incompletely wrote out a stepby-step explanation of how the problem is solved as if you were explaining it to another person. More than 4 errors present More than 8 errors present

Fair 70-79% C
Partially identified the topics in this course the problem relates to. Partially explained the variety of ways to solve the problem. Partially provided your rationale for selecting the method you adopted.

Proficient 80-89% B
Satisfactorily identified the topics in this course the problem relates to. Satisfactorily explained the variety of ways to solve the problem. Satisfactorily provided your rationale for selecting the method you adopted.

Exemplary 90-100% A
Thoroughly identified the topics in this course the problem relates to. Thoroughly explained the variety of ways to solve the problem. Thoroughly provided your rationale for selecting the method you adopted.

1a. Identify the topics in this course the problem relates to. Weight: 10%

2a. Explain the variety of ways to solve the problem. Weight: 10%

2b. Provide your rationale for selecting the method you adopted. Weight: 10%

3. Write out a step-bystep explanation of how the problem is solved as if you were explaining it to another person. Weight: 25%

Insufficiently wrote out a step-by-step explanation of how the problem is solved as if you were explaining it to another person. 3 errors present 7-8 errors present

Partially wrote out a step-bystep explanation of how the problem is solved as if you were explaining it to another person. 2 errors present 5-6 errors present

4. Solution is correct Weight: 35% 5. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements Weight: 10%

Satisfactorily wrote out a step-by-step explanation of how the problem is solved as if you were explaining it to another person. 1 error present 3-4 errors present

Thoroughly wrote out a step-by-step explanation of how the problem is solved as if you were explaining it to another person. 0 errors present 0-2 errors present

2013 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University Confidential and Proprietary information and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. MAT 200 Student Version 1124 (1143 10-8-2013) Final Page 6 of 8