Comments on Graph Your Driving.

  Most groups did ok, with 14 or better out of 20 (C or better).

  As noted earlier, the biggest problem was not following directions. Certainly, make sure you have a professional, neat, typed, stapled write-up with full sentence introduction, graphs, units, etc.  But most of all please read the directions carefully. The directions indicated:

“Labeling: 1. Label your graph by an equation, 2. show all the preceding work that led to this equation, and 3 label your x-axis and y-axis numerically (marking notches for $2/gallon, $2.50/gallon, $3/gallon and $3.5/gallon for example) as well as 4. labeling them with words (e.g. "annual gas cost") and with the variable (e.g. "C" if you use "C" for cost in your equation)”

More than a few groups skipped part 2 or even part 1. Others skipped parts 3 and 4 and a few ignored the part of the directions which stated “then sketch a curve for the entire graph.”

Always read all the directions (several times if necessary) all the way through.

If you did not hand one in (or your group left your name off for some reason) you have a zero.

Please keep your copy of this assignment.

 By the end of the semester  you will have had opportunities to improve your HW average.

Another note: make sure never to write a “False equals” sign. Don’t write:

 “2 * 5 = 10 + 1 = 11” Notice that the second equal sign is true, but the first equals sign is false; since” two times five” does not equal “ten plus eleven” Similarly don’t write “12,000/20mpg = 2400gall * $3/gallon” since this equals sign is false.  Just write two separate true equations (see the sample solutions)

Most of all see me if any comment is unclear; In the unlikely event I misread, bring it to my attention; otherwise, ask me so you know next time what to do differently. Standards were somewhat high for a first assignment; and partially this was compensated for by taking off small amounts (e.g. a half-point) for the smallest problems. But standards will remain high and increase over the course of the semester.

Based on this assignment, unless you speak with me ahead of time, I will expect everyone to hand in group (not individual) writeups for professional HW. If you speak with me, I will work with you and make an exception if you need one. Overall, though, people did a good job of working hard to begin to master expository professional math writing – keep at it! –Dr. B.