REFLECTION 1: Linear Equations

Therearemanytypesofapplicationsthatuselinearequations.Hereisanexample:
Example A shirt is on sale for $15.00 and has been marked down 35%. How much was
the shirt being sold for before the sale?
Solution
This problem is pretty much the opposite of the previous example. Lets start with
defining p to be the price of the shirt before the sale. It has been marked down by 35%.
This means that 0.35p has been subtracted off from the original price. Therefore, the
equation (and solution) is,

So, with rounding it looks like the shirt was originally sold for $23.08.
As shown in the example, linear systems also have multiple uses in the real world. Life
is full of situations when the output of a system doubles if the input doubles and the
output cuts in half if the input does the same. Any linear system can be described with a
linear equation.
In the real world, if you ever doubled a favorite recipe youve applied a linear equation,
you input double the ingredients to get more cookies, or brownies or whatever you are
making. Suppose a water district wants to know how much snowmelt runoff it can
expect this year. The melt comes from a big valley and every year the district measures
the snowpack and the water supply. It gets 60 acre-feet from every 6 inches of snowpack.
So by dividing that you can find out how much snowmelt can be expected.
Its not hard to see other similar situations. Calculate your paycheck, if you have enough
gas to make it to a certain point, or how much paint is needed to paint your bedroom. v

Reflection #2: Functions

A function is a mathematical relationship between two variables, where every input
variable has one output variable. In functions the x-variable is known as the input or
independent variable, because its value can be chosen freely. The calculated y-variable is
known as the output or dependent variable, because its value depends on the chosen input
value.
Example: Determine the output value: f (x) = 2x + 1
Find the value of the function for x = -3 can be written as: find f of (-3). Replace x
with -3.
f(-3) = 2 (-3) + 1 = -5
f(-3) = -5
Functions in the real world are mathematical building blocks for designing machines,
predicting natural disasters, curing diseases, understanding world economies, and for
keeping aeroplanes in the air. Functions also allow us to visualize relationships in terms
of graphs, which are much easier to read and interpret than lists of numbers. Some
examples would be:
Money as a function of time. You never have more than one amount of money at any time
because you can always add everything to give one total amount. By understanding Show
your money changes over time, you can plan to spend your money sensibly. Businesses
find it very useful to plot the graph of their money over time so that they can see when
they are spending too much.

REFLECTION 3: PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Learning excellent problem solving skills will help in my future career as a Radiological
Technician in many ways. First, you learn to analyze what the problem is about,
synthesize & solve problems and be able to reach an evaluative judgment. Ask yourself,
what you can do to help solve a problem for a particular patient paying close attention to

detail. Your work cannot be sloppy or

thats close enough

mentality for it is not suited for this type of profession or career.

Must be able to provide physical and emotional support to patients during radiographic
procedures, being able to respond to different situations and providing care to patient
until doctor or further support arrives.
Critical thinking and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths, and weaknesses
of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problem solving. Being creative
and thinking alternatively to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related
problems. Overall, being persistent when facing problems or obstacles will ensure your
success as a Radiological Technician.
REFLECTION 4: STUDY SKILLS
Some of the study skills that I have learned and have been beneficial to my success in this
math course are the homework in the math labs and how you are able to see each step
towards solving the problems has helped me a great deal. I loved the fact that we were
given a pre-test before each exam that we needed to be able to complete but at the end we

were given the key so we can compare our answers and make sure we had the correct
answers. Finally, I enjoyed doing the exams online because with having little class time,
it gave us more time to solve each problem and I didnt feel rushed on those online
exams. Our professor was excellent and was very willing to help us and concerned with

our success, which was very beneficial to our studying.

The areas that I could improve on would be to remembering how to solve each problem
and the steps, and also being able to memorize the formulas needed for solving the
problems. Problem solving has always been hard for me, so I would like to improve on
being able to know what they are asking and then being able to solve them. You cannot
learn math by going to class and watching the instructor lecture and work problems, you
must be actively involved in the learning process and take good notes.
I am actively working towards my Associates degree so that I can continue on with the
classes that I need to become a Radiological Technician. In order to get to this next step,
I need to be willing to be actively involved in the process of learning mathematics and
also be able to pass by Biology class. Dedication and hard work will pay off in the end!