Week 5 – Journal

Mathematics in the Real-World

[WLOs: 1, 2] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

For the last 5 weeks, you have been learning about various applications of mathematics in the real world. Most of the application problems can be either used in your own life or can be used to analyze and have a better perspective and understanding of various news in the media, and thus become better and informed citizens of the country.

Here is a list of many such application concepts that were discussed throughout the book:

· Global melting (page 70)

· Save money and save the earth (page 99)

· Federal budget (page 173)

· How numbers can deceive polygraph, mammogram, and more (page 178)

· Measuring your money by understanding tax, interests, investments, loans, budget, etc. (Chapter 4)

· Should you believe a statistical study (Chapter 5B)

· Graphics in the media (Chapter 5D)

· Correlation and causality (Chapter 5E)

· Is polling reliable (page 414)

· Exponential and logarithmic scales and their use in understanding acidification of lakes and oceans and the effect of exponential population rise (Chapter 8)

· Ocean acidification (page 526)

· Climate modeling (page 534)

· Mathematics of politics (Chapter 12)

For this journal entry, choose any two application problems from the above list and answer the following questions. The total word count, for all your answers, should be at least 300 words and not more than 500 words.

· What are the two topics that you have chosen?

· Why did you choose the topics?

· How will you use the applications in your own life? Be very specific.

· How can you use the applications in your own community? For example, if you believe in climate change and you find that your senator, congressperson, or members of your town council do not believe in climate change, how can you use your knowledge to change their beliefs? This is just an example. You can use this or your own examples and ideas to discuss how you can use your applications for the betterment of society and the country.

· Did you know about all these math applications before you took the class? How has your perspective about math changed after taking this class?

· Were you afraid of math before taking this class? Are you still afraid? Why or why not?

· Reflect on your journey through the 5 weeks of this class.