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Wolfram - Alpha Activity - Topic, Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities - Intermediate Algebra Activity 3

Technology is an important part of learning mathematics. For decades, graphing calculators were the primary tool used to accomplish this. Upon completion of college, however, students rarely use or see the need for these devices. A growing trend exists instead towards computers, smart phones and other devices running Internet software that has become extremely powerful, easy to use and low-cost or free of charge. Effective mathematics instruction should keep up with this trend by incorporating these types of programs. It will benefit students three ways: (1) introduce students to the latest tools of science and technology; (2) provide students with life skills that are more likely to apply to the real world; and (3) reinforce concepts of the mathematics involved in their coursework. Wolfram|Alpha represents one of the most exciting, broadly applicable, powerful and easy to use of all the computational programs available. About one-third of the questions in these Intermediate Algebra activities teach input and command syntax; one-third emphasizes answer interpretation; and one-third reinforces the concepts and material of Intermediate Algebra. The projects are meant to be started after finishing the corresponding chapter(s) in the students' textbook.

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2K views3 pages

Wolfram - Alpha Activity - Topic, Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities - Intermediate Algebra Activity 3

Technology is an important part of learning mathematics. For decades, graphing calculators were the primary tool used to accomplish this. Upon completion of college, however, students rarely use or see the need for these devices. A growing trend exists instead towards computers, smart phones and other devices running Internet software that has become extremely powerful, easy to use and low-cost or free of charge. Effective mathematics instruction should keep up with this trend by incorporating these types of programs. It will benefit students three ways: (1) introduce students to the latest tools of science and technology; (2) provide students with life skills that are more likely to apply to the real world; and (3) reinforce concepts of the mathematics involved in their coursework. Wolfram|Alpha represents one of the most exciting, broadly applicable, powerful and easy to use of all the computational programs available. About one-third of the questions in these Intermediate Algebra activities teach input and command syntax; one-third emphasizes answer interpretation; and one-third reinforces the concepts and material of Intermediate Algebra. The projects are meant to be started after finishing the corresponding chapter(s) in the students' textbook.

Uploaded by

Pearson Math Stats
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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Systems of Linear 1 Intermediate Algebra

Equations and Inequalities Activities Using WA

WA Activity # 3  ‐‐  Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities 
 
Type "y=2x+3 and y=6‐x” into the WA search engine. Use the results to answer the following 
questions. 
1. Under “Input” notice the large, logical conjunction symbol. In your own words, what do you 
think it means? Search the Internet for a formal definition of this mathematical symbol. 
2. Write the solution to this system of linear equations as an ordered pair. 
3. Check the solution. Does it satisfy both equations? Show your work. 
 
Type “1.3x‐0.2y=‐3, ‐0.1x+0.5y=1.2” into the WA search engine. Notice with the comma WA no 
longer uses the logical conjunction symbol. Use the results to answer the following questions. 
4. Do the graphs of the two lines appear to intersect in a single point? 
5. What is the viewing window of the plot of the solution set, that is, what is the Xmin, Xmax, 
Ymin and Ymax? Does WA show either of the x‐ or y‐axes? 
6. Write the solution to this system of linear equations as an ordered pair. 
7. Check the solution. Does it satisfy both equations? Show your work. 
 
Type "4x‐3y=‐1; 2x‐(3/2)y=3” into the WA search engine. Use the results to answer the 
following questions. 
8. What do you see in the plot of the solution set? What is the viewing window, that is, state 
the Xmin, Xmax, Ymin and Ymax. 
9. The lines look parallel. How would you prove or disprove that? Do the math. Show your 
work. 
 
Type "3x+4y=12; 2y=6‐(3/2)x” into the WA search engine. Be sure to include the semicolon. Use 
the results to answer the following questions. 
10. What do you see in the Plot of the solution set? What do you see below that in the Plot of 
the solution set? How are they the same? How are they different? 
11. How many solutions are there to this system of equations? 
12. Could x could be any real number for the solution to this system of equations? 
13. At the very bottom is the Integer solution for the variable y. Name three sets of ordered 
pairs in the solution to this system. 
Systems of Linear 2 Intermediate Algebra
Equations and Inequalities Activities Using WA

14. Just above the bottom is the Integer solution where n could be any integer. Pick three 
values for n and name three more sets of ordered pairs in the solution to this system. 
 
Type “2x‐3<5” into the WA search engine. Use the results to answer the following questions. 
15. Look at the Inequality plot. What does the graph of the blue line represent? What does the 
graph of the red line represent? 
16. Part of the graph is shaded in. Why? 
17. The Alternate from stated as x < 4. Why? 
18. What would you say is the solution to this inequality? Give the answer using interval 
notation. 
 
Type “5x+8<=7(1+x)” into the WA search engine. Use the results to answer the following 
questions. 
19. What does the graph of the blue line represent? What does the graph of the red line 
represent? 
20. Part of the graph is shaded in. Why? 
21. State the solution to this inequality using interval notation. 
 
Let’s try a system of inequalities. Type “y<x and y>=(1/2)x‐3” into the WA search engine. Use 
the results to answer the following questions. 
22. Does the Inequality plot show a shaded region? 
23. Does WA show another solution? 
24. What do you think is the solution to this system of inequalities? 
25. When sketching the graph of the solution to this system of inequalities, would either of the 
lines be solid? If so which one(s)? Would either of the lines be dashed? If so, which one(s)? 
Does WA show that? 
 
Type “x<=3 and y>‐1” into the WA search engine. Use the results to answer the following 
questions. 
26. Does the Inequality plot show a shaded region? 
27. Does WA show another solution? 
28. What do you think is the solution to this system of inequalities? 
Systems of Linear 3 Intermediate Algebra
Equations and Inequalities Activities Using WA

29. When sketching the graph of the solution to this system of inequalities, would either of the 
lines be solid? If so which one(s)? Would either of the lines be dashed? If so, which one(s)? 
Does WA show that? 

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