Background/Purpose:
As everyone is aware, the cost of education in this country is increasing. During this project you will calculate the tuition
of the remainder of your collegiate career.
Assignment:
(1) Using the Data provided, find the best fit exponential curve to model the cost of tuition.
(2) On your TI-84 press the 2nd button and then catalog; scroll down until you see DiagnosticOn; hit enter twice.
(3) Press STAT; then hit edit and input the years after 1990 as L1, and the tuition cost as L2.
(4) Press 2nd quit; then 2nd y= (in the upper left hand corner), and turn Plot1 On
(5) Press STAT; then arrow over to the right and go down to 0: ExpReg and hit enter.
(6) Using your equation predict tuition in each year of the remainder of your college career.
(7) Add up tuition costs for each year in the remainder of your career and find the total. In addition find the rates of
change in each year.
Report Format:
You are to submit one clearly written report of your findings. Your report must explicitly discuss how you determined your
formula for your linear function, and a verbal description of your findings as indicated in (6), and (7) above.
Your discussion should include your mathematical calculations. The calculations should be placed in the appropriate part
of your report along with the discussion/description (i.e. not simply tacked on as an extra page in the back).
Be sure to include in your report at an appropriate position
A neatly organized typed listing of tuition.
The graph containing your scatter plot of the data and the graph of your line (the one from ExpReg; this
should be done in Excel, see the Tutoring Center in the 3rd floor of the library for details)
Similar to your mathematical calculations, simply including the list of data and graph at the back of your report is not
sufficient or an appropriate position. Also, do not have a graph or data split between two pages.
The written portion of this paper must contain EXPLANATIONS of the following terms (how they relate to the project) as
well as DISCUSSIONS of your calculations:
Exponential Growth/Decay
Present Value
Future Value(s)
Average relative rate of change
Rate of Change in terms of the first derivative
In the written portion of the report answer the following questions. What is the extrapolated value of tuition for the
remaining years of your college career? What is the rate of change (in dollars and cents) for each of these years? What
will your total cost be? (Include costs from prior years as well in this total, use respective values into your equation)
Write your report in much the same was you would if completing an English composition class assignment. This report
must be double spaced, in 12 point Arial font. In other words, your report should look similar to the descriptive pages of a
Spring 2016 R. Moore
mathematical textbook. Readers of the report should be able to understand its purpose and meaning without
reference to any outside source (including this instruction sheet).
Some conventions you may not have used before, that are specific to writing mathematics
papers, are:
Variables and equations should be in italics. (Use the Equation Editor in Word)
Never start a sentence with a variable name.
Define all variables immediately before or after they first appear.
Always use standard math notation (look at equations in your book).
Center and number equations you wish to refer to later.
Use section headings.
Number and put captions on all figures/diagrams/photos Refer to them in your text.
Graphs and pictures should be placed within the text, not at the end of the paper and should have their axes
labeled.
Academic Year 2 Semesters of Tuition + Fees
1990-1991 $7,280
1991-1992 $7,960
1992-1993 $8,450
1993-1994 $9,320
1994-1995 $10,080
1995-1996 $10,080
1996-1997 $10,580
1997-1998 $12,510
1998-1999 $13,900
1999-2000 $14,420
2000-2001 $14,950
2001-2002 $15,510
2002-2003 $16,230
2003-2004 $16,780
2004-2025 $17,940
2005-2006 $18,830
2006-2007 $19,970
2007-2008 $21,200
2008-2009 $22,500
2009-2010 $23,900
2010-2011 $25,300
2011-2012 $26,600
2012-2013 $27,900
2013-2014 $29,900
Spring 2016 R. Moore
Student’s Name _____________________________________
Tuition Growth Project
(100 points)
Points Item Expected Below Expectations Unacceptable Score
4 pts Cover Page
Attractive, well
spaced.
Title, author(s), date
included.
Routine.
Could be improved.
Missing information.
8 pts Statement of
Purpose
Complete.
Clearly stated.
Easy to find.
Sketchy.
Incomplete.
Missing or
inappropriate.
8 pts Notation
Standard
mathematical
notation.
Some notation incorrect. Too much incorrect.
8 pts Grammar and
Spelling
Good grammar and
word choice.
Correct spelling and
punctuation.
Some misspelled words
and misuse of grammar.
Some punctuation errors.
Unacceptable and
unprofessional.
12 pts Model /
Equations
Correct choice of
model or formulas
Explanation of
assumptions
Some errors in model.
Some unexplained
assumptions
Poor, ineffective
model.
Little explanation of
assumptions.
15 pts Computations
Accurate calculations.
Appropriate use of
technology.
Minor algebraic errors.
Minor round-off errors.
Tech errors (rad vs deg)
Too many mistakes
or missing
computations.
15 pts Explanations
Correctly interprets
results.
Appropriate units.
Minor errors with respect to
interpretations of
results.
Unable to explain
calculations.
Unrealistic results.
10 pts
Graphs/
Diagrams
All relevant diagrams
are shown and
labeled.
Diagram not completely
accurate.
Some labels missing.
Serious errors with
diagrams or
missing.
10 pts Report Format Clearly written report,
as described.
Some deviations from
assigned format
Not written as a
paper.
10 pts Conclusion
Linked to statement of
purpose.
Weak link to statement of
purpose.
No relation to
statement of
purpose.
Total (out of 100 possible points) =
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