Algebra II Problem Sets Name: Due February 25, 2017

Instruction: The following are out-of-syllabus questions which you will be able to solve given your math
background so far (up to Algebra). You will find, however, that these questions mostly test your dexterity in
problem solving. Although you may attempt these questions on your own, you are encouraged, even expected
to work through these questions within a learning group.The hope is that by engaging with these questions
and with a learning group, you will develop important mathematical habits of mind such as communication,
perspective shifting, pattern recognition, and deductive reasoning. If you cant figure out the solution after
working in groups, youre encouraged to consult with peers, peer tutors, and teachers as well!
Details: Although some questions are easier than the others, each question is worth six points. Questions
are graded based on the completeness of your solution (see complete solution below). You may also solve
the extension problem (problem #10) for additional credit. The entire worksheet is due Feb 25, 2017.
However, we will have weekly check-ins; you are expected to solve one or two problems every week pending
the deadline.
Complete solution: For each of these problems, you are expected to present a complete solution. A
complete solution guides the reader through your solution as well as your reasoning. In other words, you
should support your math solution with descriptive and reflective reasoning in words. Without
seeing the problem, a reader should be able to read through your solution and understand the problem, as
well as every step of the solution (as an example, see the solution to problem #1). This process of writing
a complete solution enables you to reconstruct your understanding of the concepts in a way that you can
communicate them effectively. If you have any feedback on these questions, please email me at aobi@sps.edu
or comment anonymously at https://goo.gl/u9GuaE.

Problem Sets.
(1) (Sample problem) If 3 adult bears ate an average of 16 hot dogs each, and 2 bear cubs ate an average
of 6 hot dogs each, then (for these 5 bears) what was the average number of hot dogs eaten per bear?
(Source: NEML 2012/13).

Sample unacceptable solution: Total hot dogs eaten: 3 16 + 2 6 = 60. Average hot dogs:
60 5 = 12.

(a) Discuss with your partner, (1) things that are wrong with this solution, and (2) ways you can
make this solution slightly more acceptable.
(b) Attempt to produce a complete solution to this problem. Exchange your solution with your
partner, and super-critique each others solution.

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(2) The sum of eight consecutive odd integers is 2016. What is the largest of these eight odd integers?

(3) Anya bikes at a speed of 15 km/h to town, but loses her bike and returns walking at 6 km/h.
Determine Anyas average speed for the round trip.
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(4) If a < b, then 32 + 42 + 52 + 122 = a2 + b2 is satisfied by only one pair of positive integers (a, b).
What is the value of a + b?

(5) Make a diagram to show two overlapping congruent equilateral triangles sharing a common center.
Inside the overlapping triangles, you may see a regular hexagon. Suppose the area of this hexagon is
60 cm2 , what is the area of one of the original equilateral triangles? (NEML 2005).
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(6) In math, the factorial of a number n is represented as n! = n (n 1) (n 2) 3 2 1.

For example, 5! = 5 4 3 2 1 = 120. Prove that k k! = (k + 1)! k!

1 1 1
(7) Find all three ordered triples of integers (a, b, c), with 0 < a b c, for which + + = 1.
a b c
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(8) Four numbers a < b < c < d can be paired in six different ways. If each pair has a different sum, and
if the four smallest sums are 1, 2, 3, and 4, what are all the possible values of d?

q p
(9) Find the smallest integer x > 1 for which x x x is an integer.
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(10) (extension) A googol 1 is the number 10100 . What is the smallest whole number n for which n4 6n2 >
googol?

Sample complete solution (#1). Suppose three adult bears ate 16 hot dogs each, then they ate 48
hot dogs in all because 3 16 = 48. Two bear cubs eating 6 hot dogs each ate 12 hot dogs in all (2 6 = 12).
Therefore, the total number of hot dogs eaten by all the bears is then 48 + 12 = 60 hot dogs.
Debrief: Realize that you did not need to read the original question to understand this solution.

Grade sheet: for instructor use ONLY

method & com-

# correctness (2) neatness (1) comments
pleteness (3)
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total

1You guessed it right! Google derived their name from this number. Googles headquarters is called the Googleplex. A

googolplex is the number 10googol .