QMI1500

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QMI1500

Department of Decision Sciences

Elementary Quantitative Methods

Solutions for assignment questions, Semester 2, 2022

Assignment: 01

Due date: 08 August 2022

Assignment 01 Due date: 08 August 2022

Question 1
Solving the expression gives
(−49 ÷ 7 × 3 (−8)) ÷ 4 + (6 × 3) − 21 ÷ 3 Brackets have the highest priority (as per B.E.M.D.A.S)

= (−49 ÷ 7 × (−24)) ÷ 4 + (6 × 3) − 21 ÷ 3 Working out ×3 (8) gives: 24

= 168 ÷ 4 + 18 − 21 ÷ 3 Work out all expressions in the brackets: (7 × (24)) ÷ 4 + 18 − 21 ÷ 3

= 42 + 18 − 7 Consider the division:

= 53. Addition gives 60 − 7 = 53

Question 2
The correct mathematical expression is constructed as:

L = 237W + 1200

Since W represents the monthly consumption of the household and we have been told that the monthly
consumption 237 liters. In addition, we have been told that there is additional free water usage of 1200
liters which is fixed.

Question 3

A. The steps are:

5
1. Start by determining the reciprocal of
63
5
2. To find the reciprocal of , just switch the numerator and denominator around.
63
63
3. Now convert the improper fraction to a mixed fraction
5
4. To convert the improper fraction to a mixed fraction, start by dividing the numerator by the denominator,
to determine the quotient. That is: 63 ÷ 5 = 12.6
5. On dividing 63 by 5, we get 12 as the quotient and 3 as the remainder
63 3
6. Thus, can be written as 12
5 5
3
B. We are told that the denominator is 176, therefore, to construct an equivalent fraction to that
11
has a denominator of 176, we can follow the steps:

1. Divide 176 by 11 to get 16

2. Now that we know that the common number between the numerator and the denominator is 16,
we multiply 16 by 3 (16 ×3 = 48)togetthenumerator
48
3. Since the numerator is 48 and the denominator is 176, this can be expressed as the proper function:
176

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C. Start first by converting roots to fractional exponents

1
√
So 4 16 becomes 16 4 which equals 2.
√ 1
Next, we convert the denominator 3 27 which becomes 27 3 = 3
√
4
16 2
Therefore, the expression √ can be written as the proper fraction
3
27 3
D. Calculating the value of the expression gives

1. Start by converting the mixed fraction to an improper function by multiplying the quotient with
the denominator and then add the numerator: 5 × 5 = 25, add the numerator: 25 + 2 = 27
27
2. Therefore, the improper function is now
5
27 5
3. Now convert the division to multiplication as follows: ×
5 18
27 × 5 135
4. Then multiply the numerators and denominators to get: =
5 × 18 90
5. Now simplify the improper fraction to get it in the lowest form possible. If the numerator
and denominator share common factors (they can be divided equally by the same number). In this case,
the common factor is 45
6. Since 135 × 45 = 3, and 90 ÷ 45 = 2
3
7. Thus, the improper fraction is
2
E. The decimal expansion 3.375 can also be written as

3.375
= Write down the decimal divided by one.
1
3.375 1000
= × There are three digits after the decimal comma, therefore
1 1000
multiply both the numerator and the denominator by 1000.
3375
=
1000
3375 ÷ 125
= Simplify the fraction by dividing both the numerator
1000 ÷ 125
and the denominator by the common factor of 125.
27
=
8
√3
27
= √ 3
cube root each part of the fraction
8
3
= .
2

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Question 4
Simplifying the expression gives

3x2 y 3 y 2 + 4y + 4
2
× convert the division to multiplication
2xy + 4xy 6x2 y 5

2
✟
(xy)(3xy ) (y + 2)2
= ✟✟ × The expressions xy cancel each other
✟(xy)(2y + 4) 6x2 y 5

3xy 2 (y + 2)2
= ×
(2y + 4) 6x2 y 5

✘✘
(3xy
✘ 2
) (y + 2)2
= × The expressions 3xy 2 cancel each other
(2y + 4) ✘ ✘✘
(3xy 2
)2xy 3

(y + 2)2
=
(2y + 4)2xy 3

+✘
(y✘ ✘
2) 1
✘
= ✘ The expressions y + 2 cancel each other
3
(2)(2xy )✘
(y✘ +✘
2)

y+2
=
4xy 3

Question 5
3
Week 1: Koo’s spend in week 1
7
2 3 2
Week 2: × = Koo’s spend in week 2
3 7 7
3 2 5
Add week 1 and week 2 spend: × = Cumulative spend by week 2
7 7 7
5 2
Available pocket money: 1 − =
7 7

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Question 6
Simplifying an expression gives:
8a × 84a ÷ 23a × 23a−6

8a+4a ÷ 23a+3a−6 If the bases are the same, then numbers are multiplied by adding the exponents

85a ÷ 26a−6

23 × 25a ÷ 26a−6

215a ÷ 26a−6

215a−6a+6 If the bases are the same, then numbers are divided by adding the exponents

29a+6

Question 7
 √ 2  √   √  1 1
3 3 3
(i) (a) 7 = 7 × 7 = (7) 3 × (7) 3 = 1.9129 × 1.9129 = 3.659
 √ 3  √   √   √  1 1 1
2 2 2 2
(b) 7 = 7 × 7 × 7 = (7) 2 × (7) 2 × (7) 2 = 2.6458 × 2.6458 × 2.6458 = 18.5202

(a) 6= (b)

p√ p√ q
1 1
× 12 1
(ii) (a) 81 + 3 = 84 = (84) 2 = (84) 2 = (84) 4 = 3.0274
√
4
1
(b) 84 = (84) 4 = 3.0274

(a) = (b)

√ √ √ √ √ √
(iii) (a) 5 5 + 3 = 5 8 = 5 23 = 5 22 × 2 = 10 2 = 14.1421
√ √ √ √
(b) 5 5 3 = 5 5 × 3 = 5 15 = 19.3649

(a) 6= (b)

√ √ √ √ √
(iv) (a) 2 22 − 14 × 4 = 2 4 − 56 = 4 − 2 14 = 0.2583

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Question 8

l(i) 35 : 100 = 7 : 20 To get the simplified ratio, use a common factor of 5, that is 35 = 7 and 100 = 20
5 5
80 15
(ii) 80 : 15 = 16 : 3 To get the simplified ratio, use a common factor of 5, that is = 16 and =3
5 5

Question 9
You can express this as:

13m tree = 7m shadow

Xm tree = 17m shadow

To solve for X cross multiply to find the expression: Xm tree ×7m shadow = 13m tree ×17m shadow
13m tree×17m shadow 221
Now make X subject of the formula: Xm tree = 7m shadow = 7

Now simplify the improper function to get = 31 47

Question 10
You can express this as:

Remaining = 1 - (0.25+0.11) = 1- 0.36 = 0.64 = 64%

Total Income = x = 0.25x+0.11x+42% ×0.64x + 4 850 + 106 360
x = 0.36x + 0.2688x + 111 210
x = 0.6288x + 111 210
x − 0.6288x = 111 210
0.3712x = 111, 210
x = 111 210
0.3712
x = 299 596 = T otalIncome

Total Expenses:
= R299 596 − Remaining
= R299 596 − R106 360
= R193 236

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Question 11
Let’s start by defining integer numbers.

An integer is any number that can be expressed as positive, negative or zero. These numbers can be
natural numbers, whole numbers, real numbers and rational numbers; however, they cannot be decimals or
fractions.

Even numbers are integers that can be divided exactly by 2 without having a remainder. e.g. 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8

Odd numbers are integers that cannot be divided exactly by 2. If you divide them by 2, you will have a
remainder. e.g. 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9

We have been told that a is an even number and b is an odd number.

(a) odd ×odd = odd therefore, the option given for (a) is false

(b) odd + odd = even therefore, the option given for (b) is true

(c) even odd = even therefore, the option given for (c) is true

(d) even + odd = odd therefore, the option given for (d) is true

Question 12
The sum can be expanded to find:

(x1 −4)+(x2 −4)+(x3 −4)+(x4 −4)+(x5 −4)

= (1−1)+(2−1)+(3−1)+(4−1)+(5−1)
(x1 −4)+(x2 −4)+(x3 −4)+(x4 −4)+(x5 −4)
= 10
x1 +x2 +x3 +x4 +x5 −20
= 10

From this, we can compare the given options (whether expanded or not) and see that option b has a
denominator of 13 instead of 10 and the numerator also subtracts 4 instead of 20.

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Question 13
1. If the digits can be repeated, number of possibilities are: 10 × 10 × 10 × 10 = 104 = 10 000

10! 10!
2. If the digits cannot be repeated, number of possibilities are: (10−4)! = 6! = 5 040

Alternatively:

Since the first digit of the atm pin can have 10 selections made from 0 − 9
The seconds digit of the atm pin can have 9 selections leaving the first digit which is already selected
Similarly, the third digit can have 8 sections and fourth digit can have 7 sections
This can be expressed as: 10 × 9 × 8 × 7 = 5 040

Question 14
1. First, let us calculate the volume of the rectangular tank:
V = l × w × h = 75cm × 65cm × 30cm = 146 250cm3

Since, 1cm3 = 1ml, this means 146 250cm3 = 146 250ml

2. Now, we need to convert ml to litres

To convert from ml to litres, we must divide by 103
Therefore: 146 250ml ÷ 1 000 = 146.25l and half the tank is 146.25l ÷ 2 = 73.125

We know that fuel price is R20.35 per litre

so that 73.125 × 20.35 = 1 488.10

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Question 15
First, let us calculate the volume of the box:

Vbox = l × w × h

Vbox = 48cm × 48cm × 48cm

Vbox = 110 592cm3

Now, let us calculate the volume of a single can:

Vcan = πr2 h

Vcan = π × 22 × 24

Vcan = π × 96

Vcan = 301.59cm3

Vbox 110 592

Therefore, number of cans that can fit in a box = Vcan = 301.59 = 366.71 ≈ 366 cans

Question 16
The functions are f (x) = 5 + x and g(x) = 2x3 − 1, so:

f(2) = 5 +2 f(2)implies that x is replaced by 2

3
g(-4)=2(-4) − 1 = −128 − 1 = −129 g(-4)implies that x is replaced by -4

So, the value of f (2) + g(−4) = 7 + (−129) = 7 − 129 = −122

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Question 17
In the Cartesian plane, you can take the blue path which is through C (-2,2) or the black path which is
through B (2,-2) to get to D, in order to determine the shortest path, we calculate the total distance for
each path:

3
(4, 3) b

b 2
(−2, 2)

0
−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 x
−1

−2 b
(2, −2)

−3

(−4, −4) b −4

−5

Distance
√ through √C:
= D2 + C 2 + C 2 + A2 This is the distance from A to C then from C to D
p p p
= (−4 − (−2))2 + (4 − 2)2 + (−2 − 4)2 + (2 − 3)2 using distance formula: (x2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 )2
p p
= (−2)2 + 22 + (−6)2 + (−1)2
√ √
= 8 + 37 = 8.911
Distance
√ through √B:
= D2 + B 2 + B 2 + A2 This is the distance from A to B then from B to D
p p p
= (−4 − (2))2 + (4 − (−2))2 + (2 − 4)2 + (−2 − 3)2 using distance formula: (x2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 )2
p p
= (−6)2 + 62 + (−2)2 + (−5)2
√ √
= 72 + 29 = 13.87

Distance through C is shorter.

Question 18
Let x represent Duduzani’s age and y represent Duduzani’s father’s age, therefore:
Duduzani’s age = x
Duduzani’s father’s age = y = 4x − 8
We know that the sum of their ages is 87. Therefore: x + y = 87
Therefore, x + (4x − 8) = 87

We solve for x in the equation x + (4x − 8) = 87:

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5x − 8 = 87
5x = 87 + 8
5x = 96
x = 95/5
x = 19
Therefore Duduzani’s age is 19 years, to get Duduzani’s father’s age:

y = 4(19) − 8 We substitute x with Duduzani’s age

y = 68 years

Question 19
Two linear functions, A and B are described by y = f (x) = ax + b.

For function A, the value of y is the change of y-values to change of x-value multiply by x plus the
y-intercept. This description is mathematically describes as:

y = 4x − 2.

The table below shows coordinates of points through which the line described by function B, passes.

x y

0 −3
1.5 0
The straight line passing through the coordinates presented in the table is determined by finding the value
of a (slope) and b (y-intercept) in the equation y = f (x) = ax + b. Using the two points, (0; −3) and (1.5; 0).
The slope of the equation is

y2 − y1
a =
x2 − x1
−3 − 0
=
0 − 1.5
−3
=
−1.5
= 2.

Using the first coordinates x = 0, y = −3 and a = 2, there y-intercept is

−3 = 2 × (−0) + b
b = −3

Thus, the function B is

y = 2x − 3.

The line described by function A has a greater slope (a = 4) than the line described by function B (a = 2).

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Question 20
The straight line passing through the coordinates presented in the table is determined by finding the value
of a (slope) and b (y-intercept) in the equation y = f (x) = ax + b. Choose any two points, e.g use, (−1; 5)
and (1; 0). The slope of the equation is

y2 − y1
a =
x2 − x1
5−9
=
−1 − 1
−4
=
−2
= 2.

Using the first coordinates x = −1, y = 5 and a = 2, there y-intercept is

5 = 2 × (−1) + b
b = 5+2
b = 7

y = 2x + 7.

The line in c has a greater slope (3) and y-intercept (7.5).

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