Math 1030 Signature Assignment

      Math 1030/Quantitative Literacy

Signature Assignment

        I chose to upload the Working in the Yard written assignment for my signature assignment. I feel like it gives a pretty good example of some of the essential skills that I learned in my Quantitative Literacy Math 1030 class this semester. 

       This assignment came from our Problem Solving Module at the beginning of the semester. This module really helped change the way I look at story problems, as well as the rest of any of the math problems that we encountered as the semester continued forward. I started to look at math problems critically, and began to break them down into separate parts to know what I needed to solve or organize first in order to help the problem make sense. 

       This class really helped me understand the applications of math in real world problems and situations. That's another reason that I chose this assignment to upload; because it's a math problem that is a real life problem. I want to remember this skill so that I can really look at things from all angles when I have a project or a problem in my life. This assignment showed us how analyzing can help you save time, money, as well as be sure things are done accurately. Great life skill.

Here were the original instructions for the Working in the Yard assignment, as well as the information that was given to us for the problem needing to be solved at hand:

Using this information, figure out whether your neighbor will save money by picking up the soil himself.  Use the results of your calculations to guide your decision:  would you recommend that your neighbor pick up the soil himself, or pay for delivery?

Detail all your assumptions and calculations, and clearly write out your final conclusions. 

Take a picture, or scan your work and submit it with your written explanation.

• Is he redoing the whole yard or just the front?
• He's redoing the whole yard
• How much topsoil does he need?
• I'm not sure, you'll have to figure that out.  Remember he's putting a new 4 inch layer down over all the area currently covered by grass in the overhead picture above.
• How big is the yard?  
• I'm not sure, but you can probably estimate it using the overhead picture.
• What kind of pickup truck does he drive?  
• A 2003 Ford F-150 XL.
• How much can the pickup carry?  
• The truck bed is 80 inches long, 69 inches wide, and 20 inches tall.
• How much is the delivery charge?  
• $30 per truckload on top of the soil cost.  Each truckload can deliver up to 18 cubic yards.
• How much does the topsoil cost?  
• $18 per cubic yard (sold in 1/4 yard increments).
• How far is the soil store?  
• It is 9 miles away.  It takes about 20 minutes to drive there.
• What gas mileage does the pickup truck get?  
• It averages 17 miles to the gallon.
• What is the current gas cost?  
• Assume it's $3.79/gallon.

Here I have uploaded my assignment sheet. This shows the steps I needed to take in order to do the calculations properly, as well as in which order I needed to do them to make sense of the information:

Here I share my written portion to go along with my calculations to help make sense of my thought process and explain my reasoning:

       From my calculations I figured that having the soil delivered to his house from the store would cost around $928.89 dollars including the cost of the soil as well as the cost regarding the amount of truckloads delivered. I then figured that it would cost him around $866.98 if he took care of the truckloads himself with his truck. This cost came from the price of the soil, and how much money in gas he would be paying in total. From these two costs, I would let him know that it would save him around $61.91 which is a good amount of money, but I also calculated how long it would take him to drive back and forth from the store. It would take him around 4.66 hours of driving time. That doesn't include the amount of time he would have to wait to have them fill his truck, and then unload his truck once he got home. If he is looking to save every penny I would suggest that he does the whole job himself. But when it comes down to it, if he is also doing all of the yard work I think that it would be worth it to have the soil delivered. If he did that, as soon as the first load comes he could start spreading it around the yard, and get his work done a lot faster.

Exercise And a Sense of Wellbeing

Hunter Tanner

HLAC

Exercise And a Sense of Wellbeing:

            I personally believe that to really have a sense of wellbeing you must feel well physically as well as mentally. These two points go hand in hand, and help create that balance in your life that creates that sense of wellbeing. What isn’t understood by many though is the aspect of mental health and being physically active.

            The NHS (National Health System) in the UK have an entire section on their website regarding mental health and exercise. This direct quote helps explain in one way that physical activity aids in relieving symptoms of mental illness:

“Evidence shows that there is a link between being physically active and good mental wellbeing.

Being active doesn’t mean you need to spend hours in the gym, if that doesn't appeal to you. Find physical activities that you enjoy and think about how to fit more of them into your daily life.”

I personally believe that the overall point of this quote is very true regarding the relationship between participating in a physical activity that you enjoy, physical health benefits that come from that exercise, as well as the joy that you will have doing something that enjoy and making time for that in your everyday life.

In my experience, I have found that I will put of exercise and probably not do it if it is honestly something that I do not find fun or enjoyable. Even though I know that it is healthy, and good for me, that is not enough of a motivation to get me to the point that I personally want to participate. For example, going for a run. I do not find that fun, I find it difficult, un-enjoyable, and that I am watching the time and counting down until I can just be done already.

In contrast, I have found that I look for any possible time that I can fit into my day an activity that I truly do enjoy. I love to go hiking, and instead of taking my dog just for a walk around the neighborhood, I look for opportunities to take my dog on a hiking trail. I must make sure that I block out a pretty large amount of time to do so because unlike running, I lose track of time and could easily be up on a trail for a good two hours before I realize that I should probably be finished soon.

Looking at the scientific side of things, this sense of happiness and wellbeing doesn’t just magically come from doing something that you love to do. HelpGuide.org explains what happens inside your brain that creates a better sense of wellbeing when you are physically active, and even combat symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Their website states:

“It [exercise] promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your spirits and make you feel good. Finally, exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.”

The chemicals in your brain, and your neuro pathways have a larger impact on your personal sense of wellbeing than most people give credit for. So not only is exercise helping your body literally be healthier by building muscles, burning fat, and creating endurance. It is helping your brain to do similar things in its’ own way. Those endorphins that your brain creates when you are physically active are later craved by your body, and can become a good habit for you to consistently achieve.

            I have found personally that I have a clearer sense of thought, a better outlook on life, and more positive thoughts about myself as I have strived to incorporate more physical activity into my life. I have learned from my HLAC class this semester how to have fun and be physically active. There are countless types of physical activity out there in the world, something for everybody. It is nice to have a class where you can set out a time each week to participate in physical activity, and I have found that it helps me with my focus in other secular classes that I am taking this semester as well.

Citations:

“Get Active for Mental Wellbeing - Stress, Anxiety and Depression.” NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/mental-benefits-of-exercise.aspx. Accessed 24 Apr. 2017.

            “The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise.” The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise: The Exercise Prescription for Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and More, HELPGUIDE.org, www.helpguide.org/articles/exercise-fitness/emotional-benefits-of-exercise.htm. Accessed 24 Apr. 2017.