Math 130
Fall 04
Review for Test 1
Overview:
This will be a pyramid exam. On Monday October 25, you will take the individual portion of the exam, which will consist of three problems; you will choose two of them to solve. When you leave the exam, you will be given a blank copy of the test you just took. You may work with members of your study group and NO ONE ELSE to complete this group exam, where you will solve all three problems. Your TA will attend your study group on October 25-26, but other than giving general encouragement, she will not help you. She will use the time to focus on paying closer attention to your mathematical thinking. The group exam is due Wednesday October 27. Your final score will be the average of the two exams.
Rules and Notes for Part 1:
1) You may use a calculator, and you may bring one sheet of notes (both sides of a standard sized sheet of paper). You may use spreadsheets on the exam; we will work out a system for sharing the computers equitably.
2) The format will be similar to that of the sample test. There will be a brief scoring guide for each problem (or set of short problems).
3) There will be three questions; you choose two to do. If you wish to do all three problems, only your top two scores will count.
4) The problems will not be identical to ones you’ve seen before. Some good ways to study:
· Do problems. Besides the practice test, you can try variations on homework problems or do some of the problems in the green book (choose ones with answers in the back).
·
We
will do a classification activity in class thinking carefully about how the problems
we’ve already done are connected to each other can help you with the exam.
· Preparing your sheet of notes is also a good way to study. Going through your notebook, think about what portions would be most helpful to have with you for the test.
5) Some hints for those with test anxiety:
· When you get the test, read all the questions first. Start with the one that looks easiest to you. Solving a familiar problem will help you relax.
· Instead of telling yourself things like, “I can’t do this; I hate math; I’m going to flunk,” tell yourself things like, “I’ve had trouble with problems before and solved them; I can do this; it’s going to be OK.” The test is important, but even if you completely blow it, it is not the end of the world, or even the end of your success in this course.
·
Be
sure you follow the study guidelines in number 4. Don’t just study for the test by rereading
the book and highlighting things you need to actively participate in your
studying.
6) You may start the test early or stay late; although there is another class after ours, so you will have to change locations if you stay late. If you want to start early, please let me know before the day of the test. I do not intend for time to be a major factor on the test. If you would like to take the test at a different time, please talk to me ASAP. If you need to arrange to take the test in OAAA, you should do so immediately.
7) Don’t cheat! I will report suspected cheating to the Scholastic Review Board. This is not a fun thing for any of us, and it’s not worth it.
Notes and Rules Part 2:
1) Please submit work on all three problems for part 2.
2) You may only work with people in your study group. You may not work with anyone who is not in your study group -- no boy/girl friends, roommates who are not in your study group, other classmates, etc. If I suspect that you have violated this rule, you can expect a personal oral exam on the material and a possible trip to the Scholastic Review Board.
3) You must write up Part 2 yourself. Even if you know you answered a question correctly in Part 1, please write it up again. For part 2, I expect you to put extra thought into your write-up, since you will have more time.
4) In your group, be wary of using “majority rules,” as a method for determining your answers. It is not unusual for one person in a group to have done a problem correctly and four people to have made the same mistake. In the past, in this situation, the majority often has convinced the student who was correct to change his/her answer. Communication and reasoning are critical! Be skeptical! If you disagree with the rest of your group, you are welcome to submit a different solution.
Selected Answers to Practice Test
1a. 10 b.
15 e. 1275 f. (other forms of this answer are possible)
2A i. 100 iii. N2 B i.
45 iii. 21
iv. (other forms of this answer are possible) Ci. 15
3d. 20,201; 201; 804 e. ;
;
(other answers possible)
Note that explicit equations are reported here, but recursive equations with Excel would also get some credit. Justification is very important, however: be sure to directly match the pattern/equation with the squares, dates, rectangles, etc.
Copyright 2005, Debra K. Borkovitz. You may copy or edit this material for non-profit, educational use only.
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