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Quantitative Reasoning
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Reference
Quantitative Reasoning Formulas and Conversions
Reference for the conversions, geometry formulas, growth models, finance formulas, statistics, probability, and normal-distribution tools used by the examples on this page.
US Units and Abbreviations
Length
- 12 in = 1 ft
- 3 ft = 1 yd
- 36 in = 1 yd
- 5280 ft = 1 mi
in = inch, ft = foot, yd = yard, mi = mile
Weight
- 16 oz = 1 lb
- 2000 lb = 1 T
oz = ounce, lb = pound, T = ton
Capacity
- 8 fl oz = 1 c
- 2 c = 1 pt
- 2 pt = 1 qt
- 4 qt = 1 gal
fl oz = fluid ounce, c = cup, pt = pint, qt = quart, gal = gallon
Metric Place Value
| Kilo King |
Hecto Henry |
Deca Died |
Base Unit By |
Deci Drinking |
Centi Chocolate |
Milli Milk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| k | h | da | d | c | m | |
| km | hm | dam | m meters | dm | cm | mm |
| kL | hL | daL | L liters | dL | cL | mL |
| kg | hg | dag | g grams | dg | cg | mg |
Metric to US Conversions
Length
- 1 m ≈ 1.09 yd
- 1 m ≈ 3.28 ft
- 1 km ≈ 0.62 mi
- 2.54 cm = 1 in
- 0.30 m ≈ 1 ft
- 1.61 km ≈ 1 mi
Weight (Mass)
- 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb
- 1 g ≈ 0.04 oz
- 0.45 kg ≈ 1 lb
- 28.35 g ≈ 1 oz
Capacity
- 1 L ≈ 1.06 qt
- 1 L ≈ 0.26 gal
- 3.79 L ≈ 1 gal
- 0.95 L ≈ 1 qt
- 29.57 mL ≈ 1 fl oz
Temperature
Celsius to Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit to Celsius
Perimeter, Area, and Right Triangles
Perimeter
- Rectangle
- \(P = 2l + 2w\)
- Square
- \(P = 4s\)
- Circle circumference
- \(C = 2\pi r = \pi d\)
Area
- Rectangle
- \(A = lw\)
- Square
- \(A = s^2\)
- Circle
- \(A = \pi r^2\)
- Triangle
- \(A = \frac{1}{2}bh\)
- Parallelogram
- \(A = bh\)
- Trapezoid
- \(A = \frac{1}{2}h(b_1 + b_2)\)
Pythagorean Theorem
Surface Area and Volume
Rectangular Solid
l = length, w = width, h = height
Cube
s = side
Sphere
r = radius
Cylinder
r = radius, h = height
Cone
r = radius, h = height
Square Pyramid
s = side, h = height, l = slant height, \(B\) = area of base, \(p\) = perimeter of base
Interest, Money, and Percent Change
Simple Interest
- \(I\) = amount of interest
- \(P\) = principal
- \(r\) = annual interest rate
- \(t\) = time in years
Compound Interest
- \(A\) = amount in account
- \(P\) = principal
- \(r\) = annual interest rate
- \(n\) = number of compounding periods per year
- \(t\) = time in years
Other Money Formulas
- sales tax = tax rate × purchase price
- total price = purchase price + sales tax
- commission = commission rate × sales
- discount amount = discount rate × original price
- sale price = original price − discount amount
Percent Change
Loans and Annuities
Annuity Formula
- \(P_N\) = balance after \(N\) years
- \(d\) = regular deposit
- \(r\) = annual interest rate in decimal form
- \(k\) = deposits or compounding periods per year
Use for repeated savings deposits.
Annuity Present Value or Withdrawals
Use \(i = \frac{r}{12}\) and \(N = 12t\) for monthly retirement withdrawals.
Loan Payment Formula (Installment Loans)
- \(PMT\) = regular payment amount
- \(P\) = starting loan principal
- \(APR\) = annual percentage rate in decimal form
- \(n\) = payment periods per year
- \(Y\) = loan term in years
Growth Models
Linear Growth
Use when the same amount is added each step.
Exponential Growth or Decay
Use \(1 + r\) for growth and \(1 - r\) for decay.
Logistic Growth
Use when growth slows near carrying capacity \(K\).
Statistics, Probability, and Normal Distributions
Describing Data
- \(\text{mean} = \frac{\text{sum of values}}{\text{number of values}}\)
- Median is the middle value after sorting.
- Range = maximum - minimum
- Five-number summary: minimum, Q1, median, Q3, maximum
Probability
- \(P(A) = \frac{\text{favorable outcomes}}{\text{total outcomes}}\)
- \(P(A\text{ or }B) = P(A) + P(B) - P(A\text{ and }B)\)
- \(P(A\text{ given }B) = \frac{P(A\text{ and }B)}{P(B)}\)
- \(\text{expected value} = \sum(\text{outcome})(\text{probability})\)
Normal Distribution
- \(z = \frac{x - \mu}{\sigma}\)
- Use area tools for probabilities.
- Use inverse normal tools for cutoffs and percentiles.
- Empirical rule: about 68%, 95%, and 99.7% within 1, 2, and 3 standard deviations.
Module 1: Measurement
Measurement practice and worked examples on unit conversions and applied measurement problems.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference for metric, customary, and temperature conversion facts.
- Set up conversions so the unit you want to cancel is on the opposite side of the fraction.
- Check whether the final answer needs a specific unit, such as feet and inches, liters, pounds, or tons.
- When the problem combines many identical items, convert the amount for one item first, then multiply by the number of items.
Video example
Convert 33.01 kg to g.
Video example
Convert 98\(^\circ\)F to \(^\circ\)C.
Video example
Convert 48\(^\circ\)C to \(^\circ\)F.
Video example
Shay is ordering a square table from another country. The specifications say that one side is 1.5 meters. Knowing that 2.54 centimeters is equal to 1 inch, what is the length of the side of the table in feet and inches?
Video example
The weight limit at a weigh station for an 18-wheeler is 40 tons. The truck and trailer weigh 32,000 pounds without cargo, and each market pig weighs about 250 pounds. About how many pigs can Jack carry and stay within the weight regulations?
Use the conversion fact \(1\text{ m} = 100\text{ cm}\).
Since centimeters are smaller than meters, the number gets larger by a factor of \(100\): \(8 \times 100 = 800\).
So \(8\text{ m} = 800\text{ cm}\).
Use the conversion fact \(1\text{ gal} = 16\text{ cups}\).
Rewrite \(4\tfrac{1}{4}\) gallons as \(4.25\) gallons, then multiply: \(4.25 \times 16 = 68\).
So \(4\tfrac{1}{4}\) gallons is \(68\) cups.
Use the conversion fact \(1\text{ L} = 1000\text{ mL}\).
Set up the dimensional-analysis chain: \(193\text{ tubs} \times 165\text{ mL per tub} = 31{,}845\text{ mL}\).
Then convert milliliters to liters: \(31{,}845 \div 1000 = 31.845\text{ L}\).
Use the temperature formula \(C = \frac{5}{9}(F - 32)\).
Substitute \(F = 41\): \(C = \frac{5}{9}(41 - 32) = \frac{5}{9}(9) = 5\).
Rounded to the nearest tenth, the temperature is \(5.0^\circ\text{C}\).
Use the metric conversion fact \(100\text{ cm} = 1\text{ m}\).
So convert centimeters to meters by dividing by \(100\): \(339 \div 100 = 3.39\).
That gives \(339\text{ cm} = 3.39\text{ m}\).
Use \(1\text{ lb} = 16\text{ oz}\) and \(1\text{ ton} = 2000\text{ lb}\), so \(1\text{ ton} = 32{,}000\text{ oz}\).
Convert ounces to tons: \(456 \div 32{,}000 = 0.01425\).
Rounded to three decimal places, \(456\text{ oz} \approx 0.014\text{ ton}\).
Module 2: Geometry
Geometry examples on angle reasoning, right triangles, perimeter, area, and volume.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference for perimeter, area, volume, surface area, and right-triangle formulas.
- Start by naming the shape or breaking a composite figure into familiar shapes.
- For perimeter, trace the outside edge only; for area, fill the inside region; for volume, use the three-dimensional formula.
- Watch for semicircles, missing side lengths, and dimensions that must be converted before calculating.
Video example
A right triangle has a hypotenuse of 29 cm and one leg of 20 cm. What is the length of the missing leg?
Video example
Find the perimeter of the shape shown. Assume every angle is a right angle.
Video example
Find the area of the complex figure. Assume every angle shown is a right angle.
Video example
Find the area of the composite figure.
Video example
Think through perimeter and area problems involving half circles and trapezoids.
First use the left triangle. Its three angles are \(63^\circ\), \(66^\circ\), and the lower angle at the intersection point.
That lower angle is \(180 - 63 - 66 = 51^\circ\). Since that angle and \(y\) form a straight line, \(y = 180 - 51 = 129^\circ\).
Now use the top triangle: \(28 + 129 + x = 180\), so \(x = 23^\circ\).
Because \(\angle COD\) is a right angle, \(\angle AOC\) is also \(90^\circ\). Since \(\angle BOC = 28^\circ\), the complementary angle is \(\angle AOB = 90 - 28 = 62^\circ\).
Supplementary angles add to \(180^\circ\), so the angle supplementary to \(\angle BOC\) is \(\angle COE\). Vertical angles also show that \(m\angle EOF = 28^\circ\).
Then \(m\angle AOE = 90 + 28 = 118^\circ\) and \(m\angle BOF = 180 - 28 = 152^\circ\).
Use the Pythagorean Theorem: \(x^2 + 8^2 = 13^2\).
That gives \(x^2 + 64 = 169\), so \(x^2 = 105\).
Therefore \(x = \sqrt{105}\). This radical does not simplify any further, so \(\sqrt{105}\) is the exact answer.
Apply the Pythagorean Theorem: \(10^2 + 11^2 = c^2\).
That gives \(100 + 121 = c^2\), so \(221 = c^2\).
Take the square root to get \(c = \sqrt{221}\). Since \(221 = 13 \cdot 17\), the radical does not simplify further.
To get the perimeter, first find the missing inside lengths. The horizontal notch is \(8 - 4 = 4\), and the vertical notch is \(10 - 3 = 7\).
Now add all six outside sides: \(4 + 7 + 4 + 3 + 8 + 10 = 36\). So the perimeter is \(36\) units.
Break the L-shape into two rectangles. The tall rectangle has area \(4 \times 11 = 44\text{ m}^2\).
The short bottom-right rectangle has width \(8 - 4 = 4\) meters and height \(2\) meters, so its area is \(4 \times 2 = 8\text{ m}^2\).
Add them together: \(44 + 8 = 52\text{ m}^2\).
A perimeter problem uses the outside boundary only, so add the four side lengths.
\(21.9 + 10.6 + 23.7 + 26.5 = 82.7\). The height is extra information for area, not perimeter.
Use the trapezoid area formula: \(A = \tfrac{1}{2}(b_1 + b_2)h\).
Substitute the values: \(A = \tfrac{1}{2}(9.8 + 24.5)(19.6) = \tfrac{1}{2}(34.3)(19.6) = 336.14\).
The shaded region is the area of the large circle minus the area of the small circle.
Using \(3.14\) for \(\pi\), \(A = 3.14(9^2) - 3.14(6^2) = 3.14(81 - 36) = 3.14(45) = 141.3\) square units.
For a sphere, use \(V = \tfrac{4}{3}\pi r^3\). The radius is half the diameter, so \(r = 5.5\) cm.
Using \(\pi \approx 3.14\), \(V = \tfrac{4}{3}(3.14)(5.5)^3 \approx 696.56\text{ cm}^3\). Round to two decimal places.
Module 3: Problem Solving
Problem-solving examples with multi-step setups and applied word problems.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference when a problem needs unit conversions, percent change, or distance/rate/time relationships.
- Identify what the question is asking for before choosing an operation.
- Track units through each step so the final unit matches the question.
- For rate problems, keep the time units consistent before multiplying or dividing.
Video example
The grocery store has bulk almonds on sale. If 6 almond cakes need \(1\tfrac{3}{4}\) cups each, how many pounds of almonds do you need?
Video example
Sound moves at about 750 miles per hour. If you hike down into the Grand Canyon and shout, you will hear an echo from the canyon wall across from you. If the echo takes 3 seconds to return, how far away is the canyon wall at your spot in feet?
Video example
Jack drove 360 miles in 6 hours and an additional 440 miles in 8 hours. What was Jack's average speed over the course of the whole trip? Round to the nearest tenth if necessary.
Video example
One block in a certain city equals 0.75 miles. The college is 6 blocks west of a restaurant, and the library is 8 blocks west of the restaurant. If Tina heads to the library after leaving the college and then heads to the restaurant, how many miles did she walk?
Video example
If Jack can travel 468 miles on 18 gallons of gas, how many gallons would he use if he traveled 832 miles?
First find how much water Janine drinks in one year: \(6(16.9) = 101.4\) ounces per day, so \(101.4 \times 365 = 37{,}011\) ounces per year. Since \(128\) ounces is \(1\) gallon, she drinks \(37{,}011 \div 128 \approx 289.15\) gallons per year.
Bottled water costs \(\$3.39 \div 24 = \$0.14125\) per bottle. At 6 bottles per day, the yearly bottled-water cost is \(6 \times 365 \times 0.14125 = \$309.34\).
Now compare the filter options, including the reusable bottle. Faucet-mounted: \(\$28 + \$10 + (289.15 - 100) \div 100 \times 11 \approx \$58.81\). Pitcher: \(\$22 + \$10 + (289.15 - 40) \div 40 \times 5 \approx \$63.14\). Under-sink: \(\$130 + \$10 = \$140.00\) because the included 500-gallon filter lasts the whole year.
The faucet-mounted filter is the cheapest option. It saves about \(\$309.34 - \$58.81 = \$250.53\) over one year compared with bottled water.
First find the total number of pages: \(103 \times 12 = 1236\) pages.
A ream has \(500\) pages and costs \(\$3.80\), so the cost per page is \(\$3.80 \div 500 = \$0.0076\).
Now multiply by the number of pages used: \(1236 \times 0.0076 = 9.3936\). Rounded to the nearest cent, the paper cost is \(\$9.39\).
Each pie needs \(1\tfrac{1}{4} = 1.25\) cups of pecans, so for 8 pies you need \(8 \times 1.25 = 10\) cups.
The nutrition label says \(1\) cup weighs \(99\) grams, so \(10\) cups weighs \(10 \times 99 = 990\) grams.
Since \(1\) pound is about \(453.6\) grams, \(990 \div 453.6 \approx 2.18\) pounds. To at least one decimal place, you should buy \(2.2\) pounds of pecans.
Each meatloaf needs \(1\tfrac{1}{4} = 1.25\) cups of breadcrumbs, so for 5 meatloafs you need \(5 \times 1.25 = 6.25\) cups.
Each canister has about \(14\) servings of \(\tfrac{1}{3}\) cup, so one canister holds \(14 \times \tfrac{1}{3} = \tfrac{14}{3} \approx 4.67\) cups.
Now divide the total breadcrumbs needed by the amount in one canister: \(6.25 \div 4.67 \approx 1.34\). To at least one decimal place, that is \(1.3\) canisters, so in practice you would need to buy 2 whole canisters.
Pizza calories are best estimated by area, and the area of a circle depends on the square of the radius. A 6-inch pizza has radius \(3\), and a 16-inch pizza has radius \(8\).
So the area scale factor is \(\frac{8^2}{3^2} = \frac{64}{9}\). Multiply the calories by that factor to estimate the full 16-inch pizza: \(630 \times \frac{64}{9} = 4480\) calories.
The large pizza is cut into 8 slices, so one slice has about \(4480 \div 8 = 560\) calories.
The dosage is given in milligrams per kilogram, so first convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms: \(29 \div 2.2 \approx 13.18\text{ kg}\).
Now apply the dosage rule: \(13.18 \times 5 \approx 65.9\text{ mg}\). Rounded to the nearest milligram, the usual dose is \(66\text{ mg}\).
First compare the chicken prices. The close store costs \(6 \times \$3.29 = \$19.74\), and the farther store costs \(6 \times \$3.19 = \$19.14\).
Now include gas for the round trip. Close store: \(2(2.1) = 4.2\) miles, so gas costs \(4.2 \div 22 \times \$3.59 \approx \$0.69\). Farther store: \(2(8.5) = 17\) miles, so gas costs \(17 \div 22 \times \$3.59 \approx \$2.78\).
Total cost is about \(\$19.74 + \$0.69 = \$20.43\) for the close store and \(\$19.14 + \$2.78 = \$21.92\) for the farther store. Going to the close store is cheaper, and it saves about \(\$21.92 - \$20.43 = \$1.49\).
The current 80% average applies to the 75% of the course that is already complete, so that part contributes \(0.75(80) = 60\) points toward the final course grade.
If your friend earns 100% on the final, the best possible course grade is \(60 + 0.25(100) = 85\), so the highest overall grade is \(85.0\%\).
For a 75% course grade, solve \(60 + 0.25x = 75\). Then \(0.25x = 15\), so \(x = 60\). The minimum final-exam score needed is \(60.0\%\).
The fill time is proportional to volume. The smaller aquarium has volume \(8 \times 9 \times 11 = 792\) cubic inches.
The larger aquarium has volume \(22 \times 27 \times 31 = 18{,}414\) cubic inches, so it is \(18{,}414 \div 792 = 23.25\) times as large.
Multiply the time by the same factor: \(2 \times 23.25 = 46.5\) minutes. Rounded to the nearest minute, it will take \(47\) minutes.
Each pie needs \(\tfrac{1}{2}\) cup of juice, so two pies need \(1\) cup total. Since \(1\) cup is \(16\) tablespoons, you need \(16\) tablespoons of lemon juice.
Each lemon gives about \(2\) tablespoons, so the number of lemons needed is \(16 \div 2 = 8\).
At \(\$0.54\) per lemon, the total cost is \(8 \times \$0.54 = \$4.32\).
The difference in sales is \(\$330{,}000 - \$230{,}000 = \$100{,}000\).
For part a, compare that difference to Portland's sales: \(100{,}000 \div 230{,}000 \approx 0.4348\), so Seattle's sales were \(43.5\%\) larger than Portland's.
For part b, compare the same difference to Seattle's sales: \(100{,}000 \div 330{,}000 \approx 0.3030\), so Portland's sales were \(30.3\%\) smaller than Seattle's.
For part c, compare Portland directly to Seattle: \(230{,}000 \div 330{,}000 \approx 0.6970\), so Portland's sales were \(69.7\%\) of Seattle's.
Assume the cost is proportional to area. The original patio has area \(15 \times 20 = 300\text{ ft}^2\), and the new patio has area \(22 \times 25 = 550\text{ ft}^2\).
So the new patio is \(550 \div 300 = \tfrac{11}{6}\) times as large as the original patio.
Multiply the original cost by that factor: \(\$2{,}275 \times \tfrac{11}{6} \approx \$4170.83\). Rounded to the nearest dollar, the estimate is \(\$4{,}171\).
Module 4: Growth Models
Growth model examples covering linear, exponential, and logistic behavior.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference for linear, exponential, and logistic growth formulas.
- Use a linear model when the same amount is added each step.
- Use an exponential model when the same percent or multiplier is applied each step.
- Use a logistic model when growth slows as the quantity approaches a carrying capacity.
- Check whether the question wants a recursive rule, an explicit formula, or a specific future value.
Linear Growth
These examples use a constant amount of change per step, so the recursive rules add the same value each time and the explicit formulas are linear.
Because the model is linear, the population changes by the same amount each week. From week 0 to week 10, the population changes by \(53 - 3 = 50\), so the weekly increase is \(50 \div 10 = 5\).
That gives the explicit formula \(P_n = 3 + 5n\).
To find when the population reaches \(133\), solve \(3 + 5n = 133\). Then \(5n = 130\), so \(n = 26\). The beetle population reaches \(133\) after \(26\) weeks.
Use the recursive rule directly: \(P_1 = 70 + 100 = 170\), and \(P_2 = 170 + 100 = 270\).
Since the population increases by a constant \(100\) each step, the explicit formula is \(P_n = 70 + 100n\).
Then \(P_{100} = 70 + 100(100) = 10070\).
The weekly change is \(10 - 6 = 4\), so the recursive rule is \(P_n = P_{n-1} + 4\).
That same constant increase gives the explicit formula \(P_n = 6 + 4n\).
Since \(P_0\) is the first week, the fourth week is \(P_3\). So \(P_3 = 6 + 4(3) = 18\) cars.
This is linear growth because the city adds the same number, \(3\), each week.
After 49 weeks, the total will be \(128 + 3(49) = 128 + 147 = 275\). The city will have \(275\) streetlights.
Exponential Growth And Decay
These examples use a constant percent multiplier, so the recursive rules multiply by the same factor and the explicit formulas use powers.
A growth rate of \(0.2\) means the multiplier each step is \(1 + 0.2 = 1.2\).
So \(P_1 = 16(1.2) = 19.2\), and \(P_2 = 19.2(1.2) = 23.04\), which is about \(23.0\) to one decimal place.
The explicit formula is \(P_n = 16(1.2)^n\).
Then \(P_{12} = 16(1.2)^{12} \approx 142.7\).
A growth factor of \(2.0\) means the number doubles each year. From 1983 to 2004 is \(2004 - 1983 = 21\) years.
So the model gives \(1600(2)^{21} = 1600 \times 2{,}097{,}152 = 3{,}355{,}443{,}200\). That is about \(3{,}355{,}443{,}200\) people.
A 5% increase means the multiplier is \(1.05\), so the recursive rule is \(P_n = 1.05P_{n-1}\).
That gives the explicit formula \(P_n = 160(1.05)^n\).
The year 2030 is \(18\) years after 2012, so \(P_{18} = 160(1.05)^{18} \approx 385.06\). That is about \(385\) tickets.
An 8% annual growth rate means the multiplier is \(1.08\). From 2000 to 2014 is \(14\) years.
So the model is \(200{,}000(1.08)^{14} \approx 587{,}438.7\). Rounded to the nearest person, Tacoma's population would be about \(587{,}439\).
A 4% decrease means the yearly multiplier is \(0.96\).
So after 20 years, the buying power is \(100(0.96)^{20} \approx 44.20\). So \($100\) will buy about \(\$44.20\) worth of goods.
Logistic Growth
These examples start with percent growth but slow down as the population approaches a carrying capacity, so the recursive update depends on how close the population is to the limit.
Use the logistic update rule \(p_n = p_{n-1} + rp_{n-1}\left(1 - \frac{p_{n-1}}{K}\right)\) with \(r = 0.6\), carrying capacity \(K = 600\), and starting population \(p_0 = 60\).
Then \(p_1 = 60 + 0.6(60)\left(1 - \frac{60}{600}\right) = 60 + 36(0.9) = 92.4\).
For the second year, \(p_2 = 92.4 + 0.6(92.4)\left(1 - \frac{92.4}{600}\right) \approx 139.296\), so \(p_2 \approx 139.3\).
Use the same logistic update rule with \(r = 1.7\), carrying capacity \(K = 1800\), and starting population \(p_0 = 600\).
Then \(p_1 = 600 + 1.7(600)\left(1 - \frac{600}{1800}\right) = 600 + 1020\left(\frac{2}{3}\right) = 1280\).
Next, \(p_2 = 1280 + 1.7(1280)\left(1 - \frac{1280}{1800}\right) \approx 1908.62\), so \(p_2 \approx 1908.6\).
Module 5: Finance
Finance examples on compound interest, annuities, savings, withdrawals, and loans.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference for simple interest, compound interest, annuities, withdrawals, and loan payments.
- Convert annual rates to decimals before substituting them into formulas.
- Match the payment period to the rate period, such as monthly rate with monthly payments.
- Use compound interest for one deposit growing over time, annuity formulas for repeated deposits or withdrawals, and loan payment formulas for installment loans.
Compound Interest
These examples use lump-sum deposits and future-value or present-value formulas to move money forward or backward in time.
Video example
A credit union offers a 3-year certificate of deposit with an annual interest rate of 3.6%, compounded quarterly. You deposit $9,500 into the CD and leave it untouched for the full 3 years. How much interest will you earn by the end of the term? Round to the nearest cent.
Use the compound-interest formula \(A = P\left(1 + \frac{r}{n}\right)^{nt}\) with \(A = 4000\), \(r = 0.04\), \(n = 12\), and \(t = 15\).
Solve for the present deposit: \(P = \frac{4000}{\left(1 + \frac{0.04}{12}\right)^{180}}\).
That gives \(P \approx 2197.438\), so you would need to deposit about \(\$2{,}197.44\) now.
Use the same compound-interest formula with \(P = 2000\), \(r = 0.03\), \(n = 12\), and \(t = 15\).
Then \(A = 2000\left(1 + \frac{0.03}{12}\right)^{180}\).
Evaluating gives \(A \approx 3134.863\), so the account will have about \(\$3{,}134.86\).
Annuities
These examples use regular monthly deposits or withdrawals, so the formulas combine the monthly rate with a fixed number of payments.
This is a withdrawal annuity. Use \(PV = PMT\left(\frac{1 - (1 + i)^{-N}}{i}\right)\) with \(PV = 300000\), monthly rate \(i = \frac{0.05}{12}\), and \(N = 15 \cdot 12 = 180\) months.
Solve for the monthly withdrawal: \(PMT = 300000\left(\frac{0.05}{12}\right) \big/ \left(1 - \left(1 + \frac{0.05}{12}\right)^{-180}\right)\).
This gives \(PMT \approx 2372.381\), so you can withdraw about \(\$2{,}372.38\) each month.
This is a savings annuity. Use \(FV = PMT\left(\frac{(1 + i)^N - 1}{i}\right)\) with \(FV = 800000\), monthly rate \(i = \frac{0.09}{12}\), and \(N = 25 \cdot 12 = 300\).
Solve for the deposit: \(PMT = 800000\left(\frac{0.09}{12}\right) \big/ \left(\left(1 + \frac{0.09}{12}\right)^{300} - 1\right) \approx 713.571\).
So the monthly deposit is about \(\$713.57\). Using the unrounded value, the total deposited is about \(300(713.5709) = \$214{,}071.27\), so the interest earned is about \(\$800{,}000 - \$214{,}071.27 = \$585{,}928.73\).
Use the future-value annuity formula \(FV = PMT\left(\frac{(1 + i)^N - 1}{i}\right)\) with \(PMT = 400\), monthly rate \(i = \frac{0.07}{12}\), and \(N = 15 \cdot 12 = 180\).
Then \(FV = 400\left(\frac{\left(1 + \frac{0.07}{12}\right)^{180} - 1}{0.07/12}\right) \approx 126784.919\), so the account value is about \(\$126{,}784.92\).
The total amount deposited is \(400 \cdot 180 = \$72{,}000\). Subtracting gives total interest of about \(\$126{,}784.92 - \$72{,}000 = \$54{,}784.92\).
Loans And Payments
These examples turn loan balances, interest rates, and payment amounts into monthly-payment or loan-size calculations.
Video example
Calculate the monthly payment for a mortgage loan of $200,000 with a fixed APR of 3%, paid off in 25 years.
A 10% down payment on \(\$230{,}000\) is \(0.10(230000) = \$23{,}000\), so the loan amount is \(\$230{,}000 - \$23{,}000 = \$207{,}000\).
For a 30-year mortgage, \(N = 30 \cdot 12 = 360\) monthly payments. Use \(PMT = PV\,i \big/ \left(1 - (1 + i)^{-N}\right)\).
At 5%, \(i = \frac{0.05}{12}\) gives \(PMT \approx \$1{,}111.22\). At 6%, \(i = \frac{0.06}{12}\) gives \(PMT \approx \$1{,}241.07\).
Treat the payoff plan like a loan payment problem with present value \(PV = 4000\), monthly rate \(i = \frac{0.23}{12}\), and \(N = 5 \cdot 12 = 60\) payments.
Use \(PMT = PV\,i \big/ \left(1 - (1 + i)^{-N}\right)\).
Substituting the values gives \(PMT \approx 112.7619\), so the needed payment is about \(\$112.76\) each month.
This time the monthly payment is known, and you want the loan amount. Use the present-value annuity formula \(PV = PMT\left(\frac{1 - (1 + i)^{-N}}{i}\right)\).
Here \(PMT = 300\), \(i = \frac{0.06}{12}\), and \(N = 3 \cdot 12 = 36\).
So \(PV = 300\left(\frac{1 - \left(1 + \frac{0.06}{12}\right)^{-36}}{0.06/12}\right) \approx 9861.305\). You can afford a loan of about \(\$9{,}861.30\).
Module 6: Statistics - Collecting Data
Statistics examples on populations and samples, sampling methods, bias, experiments, and conclusions.
Quick reference
- Population means the full group of interest; sample means the group actually observed.
- A parameter describes a population; a statistic describes a sample.
- Sampling method questions usually hinge on whether individuals, subgroups, or whole clusters are selected.
- Cause-and-effect conclusions require a well-designed experiment, not just an observational study.
- Look for bias, voluntary response, lack of representation, and confounding variables.
The population is the full group the study wants information about, and the sample is the part that was actually surveyed.
A parameter describes the population, while a statistic describes the sample.
So here the population is all district households, the sample is the 350 surveyed households, the parameter is the true percent of all district households that support the later start time, and the statistic is the sample result of 61%.
A simple random sample gives every individual an equal chance of selection. A stratified sample splits the population into groups first and samples from each group. A cluster sample randomly selects whole groups and surveys everyone in those groups. A voluntary-response sample relies on people choosing to participate.
That makes the answers: a) simple random, b) stratified, c) cluster, d) voluntary response.
A study can only support a conclusion about the larger population if the sample is reasonably representative of that population.
In part a, coupon users are not necessarily representative of all customers. In part b, Walmart shoppers are not necessarily representative of all Springfield residents. In part c, students who choose to reply to an online survey create voluntary-response bias.
So none of the three conclusions is justified as stated.
An observational study records what is already happening, while an experiment imposes a treatment.
Cause-and-effect conclusions require a well-designed experiment, not just observed associations.
So a) observational, no cause-and-effect conclusion; b) experiment, a cause-and-effect conclusion may be justified if the design is sound; c) observational, no cause-and-effect conclusion.
The treatment group is the group that receives the actual condition being tested, and the control group provides the comparison. A placebo looks like the treatment but has no active ingredient.
Since neither the volunteers nor the timer knows who got which drink, the study is double-blind.
Random assignment matters because it helps create comparable groups and reduces bias from pre-existing differences.
A confounding variable is another factor that may help explain the observed result, so the claimed cause is not established.
In part a, stronger study habits or general organization could explain both carrying a water bottle and higher scores. In part b, stress, workload, or reverse causation could explain the association between coffee and sleep. In part c, other changes such as policing, weather, or seasonal trends could affect crime.
So none of the three cause-and-effect claims is justified from the information given.
Module 7: Statistics: Describing Data
Statistics examples on graphs, five-number summaries, box plots, and measures of center and spread.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference for mean, median, range, five-number summaries, and percent formulas.
- For graph questions, identify the total first, then compare the category or interval requested.
- Sort data before finding the median, quartiles, or five-number summary.
- Use measures of center to describe typical values and measures of spread to describe variation.
Video example
At a local dive bar, customers were asked what their favorite item was on the menu. What percentage of the people chose chicken wings or tacos?
Video example
There are four high schools in Lee County. The enrollment numbers are shown in the graph below. What is the approximate percentage of high school students in Lee County that attends Lee Central High School? Round to the nearest tenth of a percent.
Video example
The Johnson family's $4,200 monthly budget is shown in the pie chart below. What percent of their monthly budget is spent on groceries? Round to the nearest percent.
Video example
A family brings home $12,200 each month. Use the circle graph to determine how much money is budgeted for each category.
Video example
What type of graph should you use? Compare line graphs, bar graphs, circle graphs, scatter plots, and histograms.
Video example
Find the mean, median, mode, and range of the data set, which is a list of test grades a teacher recorded in her math class. 74, 81, 92, 68, 66, 97, 81, 74
Video example
Here are the exam grades of 10 students. 75, 87, 66, 85, 87, 90, 79, 90, 97, 71. Find the mean and the standard deviation.
Age of 30 lottery winners
| 21 | 26 | 30 | 33 | 36 | 36 |
| 37 | 44 | 48 | 51 | 51 | 53 |
| 54 | 54 | 56 | 59 | 60 | 64 |
| 65 | 65 | 65 | 69 | 71 | 73 |
| 75 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 77 | 88 |
| Age | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 20-29 | |
| 30-39 | |
| 40-49 | |
| 50-59 | |
| 60-69 | |
| 70-79 | |
| 80-89 |
Count how many ages fall in each class.
There are 2 values in the 20s, 5 in the 30s, 2 in the 40s, 7 in the 50s, 6 in the 60s, 7 in the 70s, and 1 in the 80s.
Those frequencies add to 30, so the distribution is complete.
Add the bar heights: 5 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 19 adults.
The bar for 0 children has height 5, so the percentage is \(\frac{5}{19} \times 100 \approx 26.3\%\).
Fun is 17% of the total spending.
Compute 17% of $2800: \(0.17 \times 2800 = 476\). So Luciana spent $476 on Fun.
The class boundaries increase by 3 each time, so the class width is 3.
Add the frequencies to get the sample size: \(10 + 7 + 6 + 3 + 2 + 5 = 33\).
Class A
- Mean
- 8.4
- Standard deviation
- 0.9
Class B
- Mean
- 7.5
- Standard deviation
- 0.3
The mean gives the average score, so compare 8.4 and 7.5.
Class A scored better on average because 8.4 is larger. The smaller standard deviation, 0.3, means Class B's scores were more tightly clustered, so Class B was more consistent.
The mean is \(\frac{4+6+7+9+11+13+15+16+19}{9} = \frac{100}{9} \approx 11.1\).
With 9 values, the median is the middle value, so the median is 11. The lower half is 4, 6, 7, 9, so \(Q_1 = 6.5\). The upper half is 13, 15, 16, 19, so \(Q_3 = 15.5\).
That gives the five-number summary \((4, 6.5, 11, 15.5, 19)\). Using the sample standard deviation formula, the standard deviation is about \(5.0\).
The mean is \(\frac{3+5+6+8+9+11+12+14+15+17}{10} = \frac{100}{10} = 10\).
With 10 values, the median is the average of the two middle values: \(\frac{9+11}{2} = 10\). The lower half is 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, so \(Q_1 = 6\). The upper half is 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, so \(Q_3 = 14\).
That gives the five-number summary \((3, 6, 10, 14, 17)\). Using the sample standard deviation formula, the standard deviation is about \(4.6\).
Module 8: Probability
Probability examples on basic probability, unions and intersections, conditional probability, and expected value.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference for basic probability, unions, conditional probability, and expected value.
- Start with the sample space: count the total possible outcomes before counting favorable outcomes.
- For “or” questions, watch for overlap so shared outcomes are not counted twice.
- For “given” questions, restrict the total to the group named after “given.”
- For expected value, multiply each outcome by its probability and add the products.
Video example
If you roll a fair six-sided die once, what is the probability of rolling a 5? Round to the nearest percent.
Video example
Jackie has 5 quarters, 10 nickels, 9 pennies, and 1 dime in her purse. If she draws one coin at random, what is the probability that it is a nickel?
Video example
If two dice are rolled at the same time, find probabilities for different sums of the two dice.
The total number of responses is \(361 + 170 = 531\).
The probability of choosing a person who answered yes is \(\frac{361}{531}\), which is about \(0.680\) to three decimal places.
(a) The marble is red
(b) The marble is odd-numbered
(c) The marble is red or odd-numbered
(d) The marble is blue and even-numbered
There are \(20\) marbles total.
For part (a), \(12\) of the \(20\) marbles are red, so \(P(\text{red}) = \frac{12}{20} = \frac{3}{5}\).
For part (b), the odd-numbered marbles are 1, 3, 5, and 7, 9, 11 among the red marbles and 1, 3, 5, 7 among the blue marbles, so \(P(\text{odd}) = \frac{10}{20} = \frac{1}{2}\).
For part (c), there are \(12\) red marbles, \(10\) odd-numbered marbles, and \(6\) marbles counted in both groups, so \(P(\text{red or odd}) = \frac{12 + 10 - 6}{20} = \frac{16}{20} = \frac{4}{5}\).
For part (d), the blue even-numbered marbles are 2, 4, 6, and 8, so \(P(\text{blue and even}) = \frac{4}{20} = \frac{1}{5}\).
Because two marbles are pulled at the same time, this is a without-replacement probability.
The probability the first marble is red is \(\frac{20}{54}\), and then the probability the second marble is red is \(\frac{19}{53}\). Multiply: \(\frac{20}{54} \cdot \frac{19}{53} = \frac{190}{1431} \approx 0.133\).
| Driver Intoxicated? |
Pedestrian Intoxicated? | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |
| Yes | 63 | 85 |
| No | 235 | 605 |
Let \(A\) be the event that the pedestrian was intoxicated and \(B\) be the event that the driver was not intoxicated.
Using the addition rule, \(P(A \text{ or } B) = \frac{298 + 840 - 235}{988} = \frac{903}{988} \approx 0.914\). As a percent, that is about \(91.4\%\).
| A | B | C | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 17 | 20 | 16 | 53 |
| Female | 14 | 18 | 7 | 39 |
| Total | 31 | 38 | 23 | 92 |
The word given means you restrict the sample space first.
Among the male students, \(16\) earned a C out of \(53\) male students total. So \(P(C \mid \text{male}) = \frac{16}{53} \approx 0.302\).
Use expected value: multiply each outcome by its probability and add.
Here that gives \(4\left(\frac{1}{41}\right) + 3\left(\frac{10}{41}\right) + (-1)\left(\frac{30}{41}\right) = \frac{4}{41} \approx 0.10\). The expected value is a gain of about \(\$0.10\) per play.
Module 9: The Normal Distribution
Normal distribution examples on z-scores, probabilities, percentiles, and empirical-rule graphs.
Empirical Rule And Z-Scores
Start with the 68-95-99.7 rule and the z-score formula before moving into calculator-based normal probability work.
Quick reference
- Use the formulas and conversions reference for z-scores, empirical-rule percentages, and normal-distribution reminders.
- Normal distribution questions usually ask you to either find an area from one or two cutoffs or find a cutoff from a given area or percentile.
- Normal problems usually give a mean \(\mu\) and standard deviation \(\sigma\).
- Use a left-tail setup for phrases like less than, below, or at most.
- Use a right-tail setup for phrases like greater than, above, top percent, or heaviest percent.
- Use a between setup when the question gives two cutoffs and asks for the middle area.
- Use a cutoff or percentile setup when the area is given but the missing value is \(x\) or \(z\).
- TI-84 probability command: normalcdf(lower, upper, mean, sd). When using this command, use 1E99 for the upper when calculating a right-tail probability and use -1E99 for the lower when calculating a left-tail probability.
- TI-84 cutoff command: invNorm(area, mean, sd). Some models of the TI-84 allow you to choose the tail direction directly.
- If the problem wants a probability, use normalcdf. If the problem wants a cutoff value from a percent or area, use invNorm.
- If you do not have a TI-84, you can use the Normal Distribution calculator to find probabilities and the Inverse Normal Distribution calculator to find cutoff values.
- Look for whether the problem is asking for an area or a cutoff, and whether the region is left tail, right tail, between two values, or outside two values.
Video example
Use the empirical rule for a normally distributed product shelf life with mean 20 days and standard deviation 2 days to answer varous questions.
The value 46 is two standard deviations above the mean because \(38 + 2(4) = 46\).
From the mean to \(+2\sigma\), the empirical rule gives \(34\% + 13.5\% = 47.5\%\).
(a) What is the approximate percentage of students who scored between 51 and 95 on the test?
(b) What is the approximate percentage of students who scored between 62 and 84 on the test?
(c) What is the approximate percentage of students who scored higher than 95 on the test?
(d) What is the approximate percentage of students who scored lower than 40 on the test?
Use the empirical-rule segment values noted in the homework: 34, 13.5, 2.35, and 0.15.
That gives (a) 95%, (b) 68%, (c) 2.5%, and (d) 0.15%.
(a) What is the approximate percentage of buyers who paid between $1200 and $1390?
(b) What is the approximate percentage of buyers who paid between $1105 and $1200?
(c) What is the approximate percentage of buyers who paid between $915 and $1200?
(d) What is the approximate percentage of buyers who paid between $1105 and $1295?
(e) What is the approximate percentage of buyers who paid less than $915?
(f) What is the approximate percentage of buyers who paid less than $1010?
Each tick mark is one standard deviation, so the homework is using the 68-95-99.7 rule on the labeled price graph.
That gives (a) 47.5%, (b) 34%, (c) 49.85%, (d) 68%, (e) 0.15%, and (f) 2.5%.
Use the z-score formula: \(z = \frac{x - \mu}{\sigma} = \frac{126 - 102}{6} = 4\).
Normal Probabilities
Use left-tail, right-tail, and between setups to calculate probabilities from raw values and standard-normal z-values.
This is a probability from a cutoff, so use the probability tool from the quick reference above.
This one is a right-tail / Above probability starting at 213.
That area is about \(0.99865\), which is \(99.9\%\).
This is a probability between two cutoffs, so use the probability tool from the quick reference above.
Set it up as a between probability with cutoffs \(-1.2\) and \(1.2\).
That difference is about \(0.7698607\), so about \(76.99\%\) of the data fall in the range.
This is another probability between two cutoffs, so use the probability tool from the quick reference above.
Set it up as a between probability with cutoffs \(-1.66\) and \(0.43\).
That gives \(P(-1.66 < Z < 0.43) \approx 0.6179\).
This is a probability between two raw values, so use the probability tool from the quick reference above.
Set it up as a between probability with mean 3, standard deviation 0.4, and cutoffs 3.6 and 3.7.
That probability is about \(0.026748\), which rounds to \(0.027\).
(a) Around what percentage of adults in the USA have stage 2 high blood pressure? Give your answer rounded to two decimal places.
(b) If you sampled 2000 people, how many would you expect to have BP > 160? Give your answer to the nearest person.
(c) Stage 1 high BP is specified as systolic BP between 140 and 160. What percentage of adults in the US qualify for stage 1?
(d) Your doctor tells you you are in the 30th percentile for blood pressure among US adults. What is your systolic BP? Round to 2 decimal places.
Parts (a) and (c) are probability questions, so use the probability tool from the quick reference above. Part (a) is a right-tail / Above setup at 160, and part (c) is a between setup from 140 to 160.
Part (a) gives an upper-tail percentage of about \(4.38\%\), and part (b) uses expected count: \(2000 \times 0.043787 \approx 87.6\), so about \(88\) people.
For part (c), subtracting the cumulative values gives \(P(140 < X < 160) \approx 14.70\%\).
Part (d) is a percentile cutoff, so use the cutoff tool from the quick reference above. This one uses the left tail / Below area of 0.30, which gives \(x \approx 106.41\).
Percentiles And Cutoff Values
Work backward from a percent or area to find the matching z-score or raw value on a normal distribution.
This is a cutoff from a right-tail area.
Use the cutoff tool from the quick reference above. Since the given area is on the right, use a right-tail / Above area of 0.6041 if that option is available, or convert it to the equivalent left-tail area of \(0.3959\).
Either way, the cutoff is about \(-0.264\).
This is a cutoff from the right tail because the heaviest 16% are above the answer.
Use the cutoff tool from the quick reference above. Set it up with a right-tail / Above area of 0.16, or use the equivalent left-tail / Below area of 0.84.
That gives a cutoff of about \(656.94\), so the answer is \(657\) grams.
This is a cutoff problem, so use the cutoff tool from the quick reference above twice.
For the minimum, use the left tail / Below area of 0.007. For the maximum, use the matching right tail / Above area of 0.007, or the equivalent left-tail / Below area of 0.993.
That gives about \(4.43\) and \(8.37\), which round to \(4.4\) in and \(8.4\) in.