MA-140 – Fall 2009
2-3 Page Paper
Assignment: Write a paper that communicates proper use of calculus in a ‘real-life’
setting.
Objective: Effectively communicate mathematical information. The real evidence of
your learning is how well you communicate with others about what you have learned.
Final Due Date: Wednesday, December 9.
Important Dates:
•Tuesday, November 24, 6:30 p.m. – Approved Problem – 5 points
This must be approved by Dr. Ray.
•Tuesday, November 24, 6:30 p.m. – Solved Problem and Outline – 15 points
•Thursday, December 3, 6:30 p.m. – Initial Draft – 5 or 10 points
•Wednesday, December 9, 5:00 p.m. – Final Draft – 0-20 points
The Plan:
1. Find a max/min (optimization) problem in some book. Bring it to Dr. Ray to be
approved. Be sure to get the reference information (title, author, publisher,…).
2. Solve the problem, then add life to it by weaving it into a creative story. The story
may be based on fact or fantasy.
3. Write the paper. The story should include the worked problem, clearly explained.
Guidelines:
•No fewer than two pages, no more than three pages (Title and references may go
on separate pages).
•All equations must be typed using an equation editor. See below.
•All assignments must be typed. Times New Roman or similar font, 10-12 point,
double-spaced, 1 inch margins for top / bottom and 1-1.25 inches for right / left.
•Topic must be approved outside of class time. There is no discussion with Dr. Ray
about the paper between 10:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
•There must be two references from written, published sources.
Example of poor equations: f(x)= 1 x + √27-x.
3
Example of good equations:
( )
xxxf
−+=
27
3
1
To use the equation editor in MS Word, select:
1. I nsert
2. O bject… (may be unnecessary depending on your version)
3. Microsoft Equation Editor (or MathType in the Math Lab).
Now use the menu to pick fractions, parentheses and anything else
that you need.
NOTE: There is a nicer equation editor, MathType, in the Math Lab.
You may also use it.