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1.1 Solving Problems with Inductive Reasoning
Definitions:
Conjecture: An educated guess based on repeated observations.
Inductive reasoning: Drawing a general conclusion (making a conjecture) from
specific examples.
Deductive reasoning: Applying general principles to draw conclusions about
specific examples.
Eamples:
1, 3, 5, 7, …
11, 18, 25, …
11, 18, 25, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, …
2
1 2 3 4
2 =2 , 2 =4 , 2 =8 , 2 =16 , …
Definition: Exponential notation: x n=x ∙ x ∙ x ∙… ∙ x
n factors of x
8
2 =¿
Practice: What is a reasonable conjecture for the next number in each sequence?
4 , 7 ,10 , 13 , …
3 , 6 , 12, 24 ,…
1 ,1 , 2 ,3 ,5 , 8 , 13 , …
Homework 1.1: Due:___________________
3
7-19 odd
25-33 odd
41-45 odd
1.2 Number Patterns:
2, 7, 12, 17, 22, …
Definitions:
A number sequence is__________________________________________
The terms of a sequence are _____________________________________
An arithmetic sequence is a sequence in which is term (after the first) is derived
from the previous term by adding the same number. That number is called the
common difference.
Examples:
1, 11, 21, 31, …
3, 7. 11, 15, 19, …
2, 4, 8, 16, …
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A geometric sequence is a sequence in which each term (after the first) is derived
by multiplying the previous term by the same number. That number is called the
common ratio.
Examples:
1, 3, 9, 27, …
1 1
2 , 1, , , …
2 4
Are the following sequences arithmetic, geometric or neither? Find the next term.
-2, 1, 4, 7, 10, …
1 1
, , 1 ,3 , 9 , …
9 3
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, …
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The method of successive differences:
Examples: Find the next terms.
4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 19, …
3, 14, 31, 54, 83, 118, …
1, 11, 35, 79, 149, 251, …
2, 57, 220, 575, 1230, 2317, …
Method of Gauss (Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss, 1777-1855):
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1+2+3+4+5+6+7+…+99+100=
n
1+2+3+ 4+ …+n= (n+1)
2
Find the sums:
7
1+2+3+ 4+ …+50
1+2+3+ 4+ …+1000
Challenge:
5+10+15+ 20+…+1000
Homework 1.2: Due:___________________
5-23 odd
37-40 all
45
1.3 Strategies for Problem Solving
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Polya’s method for problem solving (George Polya 1888-1985):
1. Understand the problem.
Read carefully, look up words, what is the problem asking you to
find?
Draw a sketch.
Make a chart or table.
2. Devise a plan.
Look for a pattern.
Solve a similar but simpler problem.
Use inductive reasoning.
Write an equation.
Guess and check.
Use trial and error.
Use common sense.
Look for a “catch”.
3. Carry out the plan.
Apply the pattern.
Solve the equation.
You may hit a dead-end and have to devise a new plan.
Don’t give up.
4. Look back and check.
Have you actually answered the question?
Does your answer make sense?
Does it fit the conditions of the problem?
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Examples:
What are the last two digits of 52025?
John was born in January of a palindromic year. His younger sister graduated from
high school this year. How old is John?
Andy gave four fifths of his pencils to Barbara and then gave two thirds of the
remaining pencils to Bonnie. He had 10 pencils left. How many did he start with?
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How many rectangles are in the figure?
Each school sent three students to participate in a competition. The students from
our school finished as follows: Sally finished exactly in the middle, Joe finished
after Sally at 12th place and John finished at 20th place. There were no ties. How
many schools took part?
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A mother has two children. Her daughter is five years older than her son. The sum
of the squares of their ages is 97. The square of the mothers age can be found by
writing the squares of the children’s ages one after the other as a four digit number.
How old is the mother?
Homework 1.3: Due:___________________
1, 11, 17, 20, 21, 25, 27, 47, 49, 55
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1.4 Numeracy in Today’s World
Using your calculator:
Exponents:
2 3 5 4.5
5.2 3.5 42.1 π
Grouping symbols:
3.1+ 9.4
12−5.2
( 0.2+1.54 )4.3 12 ( 3.5−1.6 )+ 4.1 ( 1−5.2 )
3 (5−2.3 ) −1
3
(2.3+1.4)
Square roots and other roots:
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√ 15 √3 2.5 √5 10025
√ 5.6+15.7 √3 7(5.6 +2) √ 21.5−1.2
Scientific notation:
34 40
2 0.5
()
70
10 2
21
3
Mt. SAC has 342 Math 100 students. Each class holds a maximum of 36 students.
What is the minimum number of classes needed to serve all students?
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Joe uses his credit card to buy a $500 game consul. Each month he pays $50 and
the credit card company charges 2% interest on the remaining balance. How long
will it take to pay off the debt? What is the total interest that Joe will pay?
Month balance interest payment
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What is the approximate median weekly wage of people with a high school
degree?
What is the approximate median weekly wage of people with 4-year college degree
(bachelor’s degree)?
What is the wage premium for college degrees?
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Homework 1.4: Due:___________________
5-23 odd
37, 39
51-58 all