Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

V1216 V1238 M1354 V1426 M1510 G1A.6NP V1A23

Investigating problems

M2250 G2306
Investigating problems

V1218 V1239 M1319 M1368 M3218.3 M1511 V1A.8NP M1A.24 Changing Places M2261 V2308
M2B.13.P10.N PMaAVT97 NPMaAht96 Open

V1219 V1240 M1369 V1443 M1512 V1A.10 M1A.25 IM1A27 M2276 V2310

M1220 V1241 V1332 Challenge V1444 Interesting M1A.12 V1B.8 G2285 V2312

V1242 M1337 M1411 M1445 MIP1.9 G1A.15

M1243 M1338 M1417 M1460 MIP1.11

V1A.19NP

M1244 M1353 M1419 M1461 MIP1PA.12 V1A.21

M1B.12 V2287 M2313 V2288 M2314 2B.24 M2291 Diophantos M2B.25

Important Problem-Solving Strategies

Read and reread the whole problem carefully before trying to solve it. Have you understood the problem? Do you know what the problem is looking for? Is it possible to estimate it? Do you have sufficient data to solve the problem? Is there any extra data? If so, have you forgotten to use them? Or may be they are not necessary in solving the problem. If you can not answer the questions above go back to the problem and read it again. Draw a diagram. Write down what quantities are known or given (data), and then what you are asked to find. Organize the data, in a table, pattern, graphical illustration, in such a way that any possible pattern may be recognizable. Think about what principles of mathematics are applicable to the problem. Use them! Make a plan. This step is as important as understanding and solving the problem. Without a proper plan you may end up in nowhere. In making the plan to solve the problem you may consider the followings: Is the problem familiar? Have you seen a similar problem earlier? If so, possibly the similar strategies may be taken in solving the problem. Is there any pattern? Is it possible to simplify the problem and first solve the simpler version? Is it possible to divide the problem to many different parts and solve them separately before joining the solutions up at the end? In what order are going to solve the problem? Be creative! Science, mathematics and logic are developed and still developing on the shoulder of creativity and those who dare to be creative! Perform the plan. It is very important to be consistent, show your calculations clearly, and use correct mathematical language. It is very important that any reader could read and could follow your reasoning and calculations. Keep the track of units. Note that the equal sign requires that the units on both sides must be identical. 1

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

Results. Are they reasonable? Are they acceptable? Do they make sense according to your own intuition and estimation? Are there any other solutions? May be the alternative solution is easier. Is there any other point of view? Sometimes you can outsmart the problem and find easier and unconventional methods of solving the problem.

Important Study Techniques Tips

Know the Core Curriculum (kursplan). It is the official publication of the Swedish Educational Department (Skolverket) that lists the topic that must be learned by the end of the course. Set a reasonable goal for yourself. What is expected from you? How are you going to reach your goal? Make a reasonable plan to achieve it. Avoid Last-Minute Study. Math must be studied continually. Devote at least half an hour a day for problem solving. Problem solving is the best way of learning mathematics. Ask questions. There is no wrong question. If you do not understand anything in the lecture, just ask! Math is the easiest subject if you understand it, otherwise it is difficult. Avoid missing your lectures. If you miss any lecture, you ought to find out from your friends and your teacher about the missed lecture. Missing lectures may make you insecure in asking questions. Avoid memorization! You have to understand mathematics to learn and master mathematics. Only by solving mathematical problem you can learn mathematics. You can not learn mathematics only by reading solved problems or memorizing them. Budget your Time. Avoid wasting your time with solving routine problems that you already know how to solve them. You have a limited time to study for a given subject. Take practice Exams under Exam Conditions. Most of my earlier test and their solutions are published in our home page. Use them to practice. Some National Tests and their solutions are also published. Use them to practice under exam conditions. The available solutions are most useful if used as a reference. Just reading the solutions may give you false hope and therefore can even be harmful. In taking practice exam do not spend too much time on any given problem.

Important Test-Taking Tips

Be well rested and come prepared on the test day. Do not forget pen, erasure, and calculator. You are not allowed to borrow anything from your friends during the test. You are allowed to use your cell (mobile) phone as a calculator. Your telephones must be turned off during the test. Avoid last minute study. Do not study the subject after 9.00 PM. Budget your time according to the grading weight of each problem. Do not spend too much time on any given problem, particularly, do not waste your time on any problem that is not weighted heavily in the test. Answer all questions. Do not omit any! Understand the problem. What is the problem after? Read the problem again if you do not understand it. Answer the Question That is Asked. Make your solutions clear, easy to read and understand. 2

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

V1216 Explain why 5 5 a) is larger than 11 12 3 1 b) is larger than 8 3 V1217 The ratio of two numbers is 3 : 4 . Find the numbers, if their sum is 28. V1218. The perimeter of a rectangle is 240 cm . The relationship between its side is 3 : 7 . Calculate the length of the sides of the rectangle. V1219 Give a fraction between 1 1 a) and 2 3 4 5 b) and 7 8

35 may not be simplified any further. 66 V1238. Egyptian calculated almost entirely by ratio where the denominator of the ratio is one. 2 1 may be written as the sum of two ratios. One of them is what is the other one? 7 4
M1220. Explain why

1 of the whole 6 1 1 1 pizza. Fredrik gets of the remaining. Teo gets of the remaining. Alexander gets of the 5 4 3 1 remaining, and Oscar gets of the rest. How much is left for you? 2
V1239. You and your friends are going to share a giant pizza. Dania gets V1240 What is the number which 3 a) divided by 24 gives ? 4 2 3 b) multiplied by gives ? 3 2 V1241. Find the average of the numbers

1 5 7 , , and in a fraction form. 2 8 16

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

V1242. The value of a machine decreases every year to

4 of its value the year before. Today 5

the value of the machine is 320 000 kr . a) What is the value of the machine in three years from now? b) What was the value of the machine in three years ago?

M1243

number 1 = 10 (number 1) . Find number 2 . number 2

B 8 B . Find . = 2 1 21 3 3

M1244 For a fraction B it is required that

M1319_3219.3 Arrange the following numbers in order of magnitude without the aid of a calculator: i. 2 24 , 318 , 415 , 56 ii. 3210 , 3263 , 12535 , 12830
1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 V1332 Calculate the sum: + + + 3 4 5 2

M1337 Simplify
a 2 a. 5 b 2 5a b a4 b. 2 a 3 b
3

M1338_3233.3 Martina is going to state the reasons for the definition of 5 x and 50 . Complete the document below using the multiplication rules:
1.0 10 3 M1353 For which positive number a is quotient to is larger than 100? a M1354 A Googol is 10100 . how large is a Googolplex, i.e. 10Googol ? M1368 A sand shore is 2 km long, 30 m wide and 3 m deep. We may assume that an average grain of sand fits in a cubic box of 0.2 mm . How many grain of sand is in the sand shore?
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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

M1369 Laser beam is used to measure the Moon-Earth distance. The speed of light, and therefore Laser, in vacuum is c = 2.9979 108 m / s . The laser beam is pointed to the Moon on the mirrors left by astronauts on the surface of the moon. A timer measures the time necessary for the Laser beam to go to the moon and be reflected. With what precision should the time be measured so that the error in measuring the distance is less than 4 cm?

Challenge:
Which number is largest? 99100 or 10099 ? M3218.3 Find x a. 2 x = 2 21000 b. 3 x = 3500 + 3500 + 3500 c. 5 x = 5500 + 5500 + 5500 + 5500 + 5500

M1411 M is 30% of Q , and Q is 20% of P and N is 50% of P . Calculate

M . N

V1417 According to the latest opinion studies the support of the red party in Sweden is increased from 40% to 44%. Simultaneously, the support of the Green party is increased from 4.5% to 6.5%. Which partys supporters are increased the most. M1419 Board of directors of a company is made up of 3 women and 20 men. The board unanimously voted to increase the share of women in the board of directors by 20% percentage points. How many women must be elected to join the board? V1426 If one drinks alcohol the concentration of the alcohol in the blood increases. For example if somebody has the concentration of 0.5 per thousand, the amount of the pure alcohol in his/her body is 0.5 per thousand of her body weight multiplied by 0.68 for males and 0.55 for females. a. Adam who weights 75 kg and Eva that weights 65 kg each drink their own strong bear. What concentration of blood do they get if a strong bear contains 20 gram of pure alcohol? b. What alcohol concentration would you get if you drank two cans of strong bear? V1443 An identical object is on sale in two stores as illustrated below. Which one of them is cheapest? Explain. Store A: 20% reduction. Save 130 kr. Store B25% reduction. Save 200 kr. V1444 Erik sold two second hand cars for $6 000 each. On the first one he made 20%, but on the second car he lost 20%. Did he loose or made money in the transaction? By how much and how many percent?

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

A + 20% = B M1445 B + 20% = C A + ?% = C

M1460 Price of houses in a region dropped by 10% for three consecutive years. Then the trend was reversed and it increased by 10% for three years in a row. By what percentage did the price of houses changed during these six years? M1461 A curved road is replaced by a straight highway. The road, as a result, become 20% shorter and the speed may be increased by 25%. With how many percent is the driving time is changed as a result of the change? M1510 Choose any arbitrary three-digit-number. Multiply the number by 7. Multiply the result by 11 and then by 13. What is the result? Why? M1511 Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855) is often called The King of Mathematics. As a child he learned how to add the first 100 terms of positive numbers through rearranging the terms as 1 + 2 + 3 + .... + 48 + 49 + 50 + + 100 + 99 + 98 + .... + 53 + 52 + 51 Explain how the young Carl Friedrich may reasoned in finding the sum. What is the sum of the first 100 positive integer numbers? What is the sum of the first 999 positive integer numbers? Generalize the problem M1512 Is there any number between

96 97 and which has the lowest possible denominator? 35 36

Interesting Problems
MIP1.PA.9. Under 1980s the population of a city increased by 60%. The trend turned around at 1990 and the population of the city decreased during 1990s so that at the end of 1999 the population of the city was exactly equal to the one at 1980. Calculate the percentage decrease of the population during 1990s. MIP1.PA.11. Interesting Problems Find the largest possible integer number x so that: 320 > 32 x . MIP1.PA.12. Interesting Problems: A chess board has 64 squares. We put a grain of rice on the first square, two on the second square, four on the third, eight on the fourth, and so on. (a) How many rice grains must we put on the last square? (b) Estimate the weight of the rice grains on the last square. (c) Compare your estimated value with the yearly production of the whole world which is 6 108 ton / year .
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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

1 G1A.6 P2NPMaAVT02 What is the half of 1 ? 2

(1/0)

V1A.8 P11NPMaAVT05 The Persson family paid 18 000 kr one year for the interest on their loan. The interest rate was 6 %. How big is their loan? (0/1) V1A.10 Place a parenthesis in the expression 5 32 + 6 2 so that its value become 105 .
1 1 1 1 1 M1A.12 Calculate 1 1 1 ...1 1 2 3 4 49 50

G1A.15 P4NPMaAht97 (a) Find the number that is midway between 100 000 and 1 000 000 (b) Find a number that is greater than 2.5 10 3 but less than 2.5 102 . V1A.19.NPMaAVT98 (a) Give three examples of numbers on the decimal form whose sum is 1. (b) Give two examples of fractions whose sum is 1.

(1p) (1p) (1P) (1P)

V1A.21 In a bacteria culture there are 3 105 bacteria present. Their number increase at the rate of 15% per hour. How long does it take for the bacteria to redouble? V1A.23 You are late to a pizza party, when you come the party just has started and folk are sitting at tables. There is a place available at both tables. At table A, 9 people are sitting with 4 pizzas on the dinning table. At table B, 7 people are sitting with 3 pizzas on the dinning table. Which table should you join and share pizza, if you want to get as larger piece of pizza as possible. M1A.24 From an old 19th centaury mathematic book: A package tee is sufficient for two weeks for a man and his wife. If just the man uses the package of tee it is sufficient for six weeks. How long is it sufficient for the lady if just she is going to use it alone?

V1B.8 Give a decimal number and a number in fraction form that both lie between M1B.12 Which one of the numbers is largest? 680 or 3120 ?

1 1 and . 4 5

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

M1A.25. Experimentally we are going to measure quotient experimental results are: a = C 20% b = D 20% How many percent is the maximum value of

a between two quantities. The b

a larger than its minimum value? b

Investigating problems: Changing Places

When evaluating your work, the teacher will consider the following: How systematic you are in your investigation Which conclusions you find from the numbers you choose How well you show that your conclusions are true Which connections you make between your discoveries and the two-digit numbers you start with How well you show your working

Choose a two-digit number. Let the two digits exchange places. Compute the difference between the larger and the smaller of the two numbers. Let the digits exchange places. Compute the difference between the larger and the smaller of the two numbers. Let the digits exchange places. Continue as long as you can.

84 48 84 - 48 = 36 63 63 - 36 = 27 72

What do you notice from the numbers you get? What happens if you start with another two-digit number? INVESTIGATE!
IM1A27. A rectangles width increases by 40% . Simultaneously its length decreases by 30%. Investigate how the rectangles area changes.

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

K2 Algebra and Equations

M2250 Oscar and Niklas are 250 km apart. Simultaneously they start to move toward each 20 1 km / h and Niklas at 12 km / h . How long later and where do they meet? other: Oscar at 3 7 M2261 Show that

1 2 = . 2 2 x2 2 = 0 ( x > 0) . M2276 Solve the equation: 5 x

M2276 June 2004 it was estimated that there were between 1941 and 2291 bears in Sweden. The number of bears in Sweden was increased to 2550 June 2006. Assuming the same rate of increase in the number, how many bears at the most are going to be in Sweden June 2009?

G2285.5 Jennys salary is increased from 18 500 kr / month to 27 200 kr / month in 8 years. Calculate the average annual rate of increase of Jennys salary. V2287 Solve the equations below if x > 0 : 8 a. 2 = (1 + x ) . b. x 2 = 3
V2288 A wind power has a armature diameter 47 m . It produces the power 0.58 x 3 kW at wind blowing at x m / s . In which wind speed does the wind power produce 500 kW ?
1 4

M2291 Solve the equation: x x = 4 . G2306 A computer whose processor runs at 48 GHz performs 48 billions of calculations per second. a. Set up a formula that calculates the number of calculations, y , that n computers perform in t s . b. Using the formula developed above calculate the number of computers needed to perform 1.2 1015 calculations in 100 s .

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

G2308 Under proper conditions the number of E coli-bacteria may increase at the rate of 3.5% per minute . Set up a formula to calculate the number of bacteria, N , in the sample after t minutes , if the initial number of the bacteria in the sample are 10 000 . V2310 The value of an stock is increased from $ a to $(a + b ) in t days . Set up a formula that calculates the average increase in the value of stock in one day, $ y per day .

V2312 An exchange office offers following exchange rates: 100 SEK = 80 DKK 100 DKK = 18 USD Set up a formula that calculates how many Swedish Crowns, S one may exchange against D amount of US-dollars. M2313 A businessman buys in one occasion x kg coffee at the cost of a $ / kg and later on in another occasion y kg coffee at the cost of b $ / kg . Calculate the average cost of the mixture of coffee, m $ / kg . M2314 The price of a product increases at the rate of p% per year. Calculate the price of the product, C as a function of time, t year . The initial price of the product may be taken as C 0 . Use you formula to calculate the price of a product that initially costs 200 after 8 years if its value increases at the rate of 3% per year. Check if your results are acceptable. M2314 The price of a product increases at the rate of p% per year. Calculate the price of the product, C as a function of time, t year . The initial price of the product may be taken as C 0 . Use you formula to calculate the price of a product that initially costs 200 after 8 years if its value increases at the rate of 3% per year. Check if your results are acceptable. M2B.13000. P10.NPMaAVT97 A teacher said to his students: Think of a number and add 15 to it. Multiply the sum by 4 and then subtract 8 from your result. Divide the difference by 4 and finally subtract 12 from your quotient. If you tell me what answer you came up with, I will tell you what number you were thinking of. a) Monica comes up with 5 as her answer. What number was she thinking of? b) Show that the teachers method is correct for all numbers.

(2p) (2p)

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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

M2B.23000 Diophantos was a Greek mathematician who lived about 250 A.D. We know how long he lived tank to one of his admirers who describes his life as a mathematics puzzle: 1 Diophantos childhood lasted of his life. He started to grow a beard after an additional 6 1 1 of his life. After still an additional of his life, he got married. Five years later he got a 12 7 son. His son lived exactly half as long as the father and Diophantos died four years after the death of his son. How old did Diophantos become? Investigating problems: These types of problems suit for investigation and aspect assessment:

In assessing your solution, the teacher will take into consideration what mathematical knowledge you have demonstrated how systematical you are in your investigations how well you formulate the relationships you have found. how well you investigate other types of sets of points. how well you have motivated your conclusions how well you have written and presented your solution.

M2A.23000.NPMaAht96Openend. Flower Algebra The pictures below shows two square flower boxes in a park. There are blue flowers on the edges and red flowers on the inside.

Imagine larger square flower boxes. Investigate how many flowers of both colours are needed if the sides of the flower boxes have 5 plants, 6 plants, 7 plants, etc. Describe how the total number of blue and red flowers vary. Describe the relationships you find in words and formulas. It is possible that there are other types of sets of points other than square flower boxes. Investigate how the number of edge points and inside points vary in some other sets of points, rectangles, triangles ...
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Problem Solving Exercises; Math A: MaAB4000 K1 Arithmatics K2 Algebra and Equations NV-College

M2B.24000 Quadratic small tables, that has only two places for two people at each side, is arranged as a long dining table, as illustrated below:

How many persons, at the most, may be placed at a long dining table consisted of five small square table? How many small square tables are needed in order to be able to place 40 persons, at a long dining table arranged by according to the rules above? Find a formula that describes the relationship between the number of persons, p , that will be placed at a dining table arranged as above of n number of small tables. Describe your formula above in words.

M2B.25000 The numerator in a fraction decreases by 25% . Simultaneously the denominator of the fraction increases by 20%. By what percentage factor does the fraction change?

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