MM255 Week 2 Assignment

Unit 2: Instructor Graded Assignment

Equations 

In this and future Instructor Graded Assignments you will be asked to use the answers you found in the Unit 1 Assignment.

Note: For these questions you need to cite a reliable source for information, which means you cannot use sites like Wikipedia, Ask.com®, and Yahoo® answers. If you do use those sites the instructor may award 0 points for your response. 

The Assignment problems must have the work shown at all times. The steps for solving the problems must be explained. Failure to do so could result in your submission being given a 0.  If you have any questions about how much work to show, please contact your instructor.

Assignments must be submitted as a Microsoft Word® document and uploaded to the Dropbox for Unit 2. Type all answers directly in this Assignment below the question it applies to. 
 
All Assignments are due by Tuesday at 11:59 PM ET of the assigned Unit. 

Finding the National Average Price for Gas

These first few questions will require you to use the internet to search for the national average price for gas.  Remember to use a scholarly site for information.  

•	List the website(s) you visited here:


1. (2 points): What was the average price of a gallon of gas 1 year from when your business math class started? 

2. (5 points): You have $50 on hand and need to buy gas. How many gallons of gas can you buy (using the value you reported in Question 1.)

3. (5 points): If gas prices were to drop 10% from the current price, how much would a gallon of gas cost now?

4. (5 points): Using the average for 1 year ago, and the average for 6 months ago, calculate the percent increase or decrease in the price of a gallon of gas over that 6 month time span.

 
Finding the National Average for Food for One Person

Questions 5, 6, and 7 will require you to search for the national average for food for one person. Remember to use a scholarly site for information.  

•	List the website(s) you visited here:

5. (3 points): What was the national average for food for a month for one person, one year ago from the date the class started? Use the average for a 35-year-old male, and if multiple figures are given for that gender and age, use the highest number. 


6. (5 points): If this person lives in a state with a 7% sales tax on all food purchases, how much will they need to spend on food for one year?


7. (5 points): Create an equation you could use to calculate the cost one person spends on food for a year (assume no tax on the food), using this site. Your equation must work for any age range, and any gender now. 

Essay Question
(15 points)

8. Using the internet, find a website where a linear equation is used. Using that website as a source, write a ¾ - 1 page essay response in which you discuss how the equation was used, if it was used correctly, and what solutions to the equation mean (in other words, why are you using the equation in the first place? What is the solution supposed to tell you once you find it). 

Requirements for essay
•	Write your essay in this document - do not save it in a separate file. 
•	You must clearly state your position with well-structured paragraphs using proper grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. 
•	This is not an “opinion” question - you must offer evidence to support your position, using properly cited sources.
•	Your answer must be between ¾-1 page in length.
•	You must cite and reference at least one source (book, website, periodical) using APA format. The required website counts as one source.


You may submit your Assignments to the Math Center for review. Tutors will not grade or correct the Assignment, but they will provide guidance for improvement. Tutors will not, however, help you find web sites for the Assignment. 


Be sure to submit Assignments early enough to receive feedback and make corrections before the Assignment due date (24 hour turn-around times Monday-Thursday and 48 hour turn-around times on weekends are typical).

Email Assignments to: [email protected]. Please put “MM255 Assignment Review” in the subject line of the message.