# TheXSquaredFactor

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TheXSquaredFactor  Dec 18, 2017
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TheXSquaredFactor  Jun 1, 2017
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TheXSquaredFactor  May 22, 2017
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The empirical rule (sometimes referred to as 68-95-99.7% rule) will come be handy here. This empirical rule expresses the percent of the values that are 1 to 3 standard deviations in both directions of the mean with a normal distribution:

As the problem mentions, the standard deviation here is 4, and mean is 64. Therefore, one standard deviation in both directions would yield 60 and 68. The problem wants to know the percentage of values that fall in this range. As you can tell from the image above, 68% of data falls in this range.

Note: The empirical rule can only be utilized in very specific circumstances. It just so happened that I could use it here. If a data value is 1.5 standard deviations away, then other methods would have to be used.

TheXSquaredFactor May 18, 2018
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This post challenges my overall mentality when I answer someone's question, but it definitely shifts it for the better.

"Are you seriously trying to help the asker to learn?"

For example, I think it might be important to dissect one of my answers and truly analyze the detail I put in. The horizontal lines enclose my analysis of the effectiveness of my answer compared to an unsatisfactory sample answer. Read it if you wish.

The sedan has a flat rate of $30.00 and a$0.50-per-mile charge, so the equation would be $$C(m)=30.00+0.5m$$ . Plug in 130 for C(m) and solve for m.

Glace at the solution I provided for CarlsBolton.

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The difference is astounding. Let's analyze my answer and compare it to "Sample Answer #1" to see how I care.

In my answer, I read the question in its entirety and pointed out a somewhat common formatting error where the question does not specify which variable letter represents the total number of miles driven. I am intentionally forthright about this, and I cite the precise location of the error. I, then, state my assumption: The number of miles driven will be m since that seems to be an appropriate letter. Note how Sample Answer #1 does not acknowledge any of this in the slightest.

The following paragraph could be considered unnecessary, but I generally take this structured approach when answering word problems for others. I place, in a bulleted list, the tidbits of information that I will be taking into account. By doing this, I should be converting a potentially convoluted mishmash of English paraphernalia into simple phrases that are easier to handle and grasp. While Sample Answer #1 mentions the information given, it does not provide an explanation of the correlation between the information mentioned and the generated equation. This is something my answer does with the following paragraphs.

Paragraph #3 is one where I attempt to explain vocabulary (flat rate) because I realize it is key to figuring out the entire problem. I first provide the denotation, but I do not stop there. I go the extra step and explain how the vocabulary word relates to the given context of the problem. This is attention to detail.

In paragraph #4, I mostly repeat what I did for the third paragraph. I explain how the rate works. I use the same structure to convey the meaning of the \$0.50-per-mile rate. I have probably spent an hour generating that response (because I try to be meticulous with the writing), and I still have not even begun to answer the question.

In paragraph #5, I finally introduce the final equation. However, I do not do so until I perform a final consolidation of all the information I have provided the reader. Afterward, I finally reveal the equation for the particular problem.  I solve for m shortly after.

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If you read in between the horizontal lines, you will have seen what great lengths I had taken to provide CarlsBolton the answer. This is only one example of the 800 that I have answered thus far. I think the answer to Melody's question is so patently obvious.

"Are you mostly interested in showing your own cleverness or increasing your own points?"

Yes, I think I have been interested in demonstrating my great abilities at mathematics. Yes, I am interested in acquiring the 2000-point milestone, which is not too far off. Maybe I should not pay attention to it because those points show how much I have let others cheat.

"Are you doing homework for students which is facilitating cheating and making it unlikely that they will attempt to learn anything? "

Yes, I am doing homework for other students. The title for CarlsBolton's question is "Need help with math homework." Yes, it is facilitating cheating. As of the writing of this post, CarlsBolton has not replied in any way to my thorough response, so I will assume that I have just made it "unlikely that [he or she] will attempt to learn anything." Unfortunately, I am part of the problem.

"Personally, I do not think people who post multiple questions in close time proximity are attempting to learn anything.

This is especially when they are posted with minimal effort all in the same question post.

I think they are just posting their homework or assignment so that they can cheat and learn nothing."

I wholeheartedly agree.

"Before you answer a question I urge you to consider WHY the question/s is asked and WHY you are providing an answer.

Do you really want to discourage people from learning and facilitate cheating?"

I will. I really have to contemplate what I have been doing for the past year. I have been facilitating cheating. I have been blindsided by my own generosity. That hurts.

TheXSquaredFactor May 12, 2018