Competencies
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies:
Identify the mathematical elements of a given situation
Use math techniques to answer questions about a given situation
Use mathematical processes to make informed decisions
Overview
Throughout this course, you have explored how math is part of everyday life. You have applied mathematical techniques to approach various problems. For your project, you will choose one of the following scenarios and focus on a real-world problem that requires you to apply your problem-solving skills, mathematical knowledge, and research skills to analyze and support your findings. You will also make informed decisions by critically examining elements of problems similar to ones you may face in your day-to-day professional or personal life.
Scenario 1
Energy drinks seem to be everywhere! At a recent school sports event, you noticed that energy drinks were available in vending machines and concession stands. Your state representative has introduced a bill that will prohibit the sale of energy drinks to minors. You plan to contact your state representative regarding this new bill. In preparation for contacting your state representative, you will gather information related to the topic. You may consider the long-term costs of negative health impacts in support of the bill, or the cost impact to the school in lost revenue if you are against the bill.
Directions
You have acquired many new skills and have explored how critical thinking and quantitative reasoning can be used to make informed decisions. You will choose a scenario and complete each part below. Each scenario will require you to showcase your understanding of skills learned throughout the course to examine and discuss how you might solve a given scenario. You will use the Project Resources linked in the Supporting Materials section to support your work on the project. This document contains data sources for each scenario.
Specifically, you must address the following:
Part One: Context
In this section, you will introduce your chosen scenario and discuss how math can be used to solve the problem. Use the data sources associated with your scenario to address the following criteria in Part One.
Describe how math is used in your chosen scenario.
Consider whether you will use formulas, comparisons, proportions, percentages, conversions, or other applications of mathematics for data analysis.
Describe the specific mathematical elements that are presented in the scenario.
Consider how parts of the scenario can be viewed from a mathematical perspective.
Describe the characteristics of quantitative data in your chosen scenario.
Discuss how any of the characteristics of the data (mean, median, range, or standard deviation) can be used to understand the problem within your chosen scenario.
Explain how the measures of center (such as the mean or median) can be used to understand what measure is “typical” or “average” in the data.
Explain how the measures of variability (such as the range or standard deviation) can be used to understand how spread out the data points are or to compare each data point to the mean.
Look for possible patterns or trends in the data.
Explain the relevance of quantitative reasoning to your chosen scenario.
Consider how the data that is summarized in charts, tables, or diagrams can be interpreted and used to provide meaningful information about the context of your scenario.
Part Two: Questions and Answers
In this section, you will discuss how math could be used to analyze your scenario and propose a solution. Address the following criteria in Part Two.
Analyze your scenario for specific mathematical techniques that will guide your approach to the scenario’s solution.
Consider if you can apply algebraic, geometric, or statistical analysis or other methods to your scenario’s solution.
Identify mathematical problems associated with your chosen scenario that could be answered with various forms of data visualization.
Consider questions related to possible trends, patterns, comparisons of different groups, etc.
Describe how you would solve the problem(s).
Refer to the mathematical problems you identified in step 6 above. How would you answer these questions?
Describe appropriate mathematical strategies for your chosen scenario.
Part Three: Informed Decisions
In this section, you will reflect on the importance of data analysis to make informed decisions. Use the Project Resources in the Supporting Materials section. You may add charts/diagrams, but they are not required and do not count toward the required page count. Address the following criteria in Part Three.
Articulate how data analysis could be used in your chosen scenario.
Consider how to describe, summarize, and evaluate data to form a conclusion.
Explain how data can be used to support informed decision making.
Consider how the absence of research can impact a decision.
Explain the value of using multiple credible sources of data to make informed decisions.
Describe the purpose of using quantitative reasoning to make informed decisions in a given scenario.
Did your data analysis reveal anything interesting or unique?
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit the following:
Submit the completed Project Template as a 3- to 5-page Microsoft Word document with 12-point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Use at least three sources to support your paper. All sources used, including those provided or student-sourced, should be cited in APA style.
