Modeling the Real World: Algebra at Work

The melding of Number Theory, Euclidean Geometry, and Basic Algebra has led to generalized algebraic formulations and techniques for solving real-world problems. Unit 2 teaches you how to interpret, configure, and model these problems from a mathematical point of view.

Learning Objectives

After you have completed Unit 2, you should be able to:

understand the role of algebra in modeling the real world;
create mathematical models of real life situations using algebraic expressions and equations; and
solve practical problems using these models.

Readings and Practice

Pages 1–12 of the textbook

Online graphing tool: Graph

Focus on Modeling: Modeling the Real World with Algebra

Textbook Readings

pp. 1–3

Practice

(pp. 3–6): 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 15

Answers

p. 483

Focus on Modeling: Making the Best Decisions

Textbook Readings

pp. 8–10

Practice

(pp. 11–12): 1, 3

Answers

p. 485

Terms to Understand

algebraic model of a real-world situation, rate of change of a dependent variable with respect to an independent variable, slope of a line, ratio, proportion, algebraic expression, algebraic equation, solution set of an algebraic equation

Figures/Tables

Formulas to Remember (pp. iv and v up to Logarithms)

Online Tutorials—the Overview

Pertinent to “Focus on Modeling”

Learning to Read and Translate Ordinary Sentences into Mathematical Sentences
Analyzing and Solving Real World Problems Mathematically
Real World Applications using Ratios: from Finance to Meteorology
Rates of Change as Slopes of Lines: with real world applications
Rates of Change 1
Rates of Change 2
Rates of Change 3
Rates of Change 4

Online Maple TA Practice

See links under the top menu ‘Assessment’ tab of the particular topic page.