Exotic Animals Project

Name(s): Marylynn Huggins

Write down necessary steps and answers legibly and clearly to
earn full credit.
You may do this project individually or in a group of no more than 3 people. If you do
this project in a group, please submit one project per group.
After you finalize your answers, submit this project in pdf format by attaching to an email sending to Shane.Tang@slcc.edu. No credit or extension will be given if you
send a corrupted file. Please submit this project by February 12.
(The following question was modified from Carl Stitz and Jeff Zeagers Precalculus.)
Daniels Exotic Animal Rescue houses snakes, tarantulas and scorpions. When asked
how many animals of each kind he boards, Daniel answered: We board 114 total
animals, and I am responsible for each of their 496 legs and 75 tails. The following
steps will guide you to find out how many of each animal the Rescue board. (Recall:
tarantulas have 8 legs and no tails, scorpions have 8 legs and one tail, and snakes have
no legs and one tail.)
1. Use a variable to represent the number of each of the 3 animals. Write down what each
represents.

x = snakes
y = tarantulas
z = scorpions

2. Use the above 3 variable to write down the system of 3 linear equations based on the
question.

x + y + z = 114 animals
8y + 8z = 496 legs
x

+ z = 75 tails

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3. Solve the system to find out how many of each animal the Rescue boards. Be sure to
write down your steps clearly.

x + y + z = 114

(1)

8y + 8z = 496 (2)
x

+ z = 75 (3)

x + y + z = 114

(1)

-x

(4)

- z = -75
y
= 39

8(39) + 8z = 496 (2)

312 + 8z = 496
8z = 184
z = 23

x + 39 + 23 = 114 (1)
x + 62 = 114
x = 52

52 + 39 + 23 = 114

4. Write down in a complete sentence how many of each animal the Rescue boards.

Daniel's Exotic Animal Rescue houses 52 snakes, 39 tarantulas, and 23 scorpions.

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Exotic Animals Project: Reflection

Name: Marylynn Huggins
You must complete this reflection individually.

After you finalize your reflection, submit it in pdf format by attaching to an e-mail
sending to Shane.Tang@slcc.edu. No credit or extension will be given if you send a
corrupted file. Please submit this reflection assignment by February 12.
1. The Exotic Animals Project gives a story where people use math in a playful way. Though
we use mathematics in many aspects in real life, most people have never used a quadratic
formula directly outside academic environment. Do you consider learning technique
in Intermediate Algebra class useful or useless? Why? Write between150 and 300
words to respond to these questions.

The more I understand how to apply given information for story problem situations, the
more useful the mathematical techniques become. In the world of accounting Im
constantly dealing with numbers and deciding what is relevant to each transaction that
occurs. Ive used very basic algebraic equations with just one variable, but now I feel
more confident to solve problems with multiple variables.
While taking Managerial Accounting, and both Micro and Macro versions of Economics,
I knew I used some algebra to solve problems, but I didnt fully understand the concepts
behind it. Now by understanding the rules and of rise/run, the graphs I had to read and
create make much more sense. Calculating manufacturing overhead when Im missing
more than one variable isnt such a challenge to set up. Im finding a new level of
confidence when it comes to dealing with math equations, and even though sometimes I
make silly mistakes, I can correct them and no longer tell students, who come to me for
tutoring, that I dont do math.

2. Dr. Edward Frenkel in the preface of his book Love & Math wrote, Mathematics equal
rigor plus intellectual integrity times reliance on facts. We should all have access to
the mathematical knowledge and tools needed to protect us from arbitrary decision
made by the powerful few in an increasingly math-driven world. Where there is no
mathematics, there is no freedom.
Do you agree or disagree with Dr. Frenkel that Where there is no mathematics, there
is no freedom? Why? Write between150 and 300 words to respond to these questions.

Based on my limited understanding of mathematics, I agree with Dr. Frenkels position

that, Where there is no mathematics, there is no freedom. Throughout my life math
has been a constant. Every day there are problems to solve and math is the tool
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required. The basic of human needs most of the time depends on math since recipes
are simply a list of measurements necessary to prepare a food item. Math is needed
whenever the quantity changes.
As an accountant, I use math daily to perform my duties at work. There have been
multiple times in my life where the lack of a solid understanding of mathematics has
stopped me from solving a basic problem, and maintaining the sense of freedom that
comes when I do understand the math involved. For example, knowing how to
calculate miles per gallon (mpg) provides the freedom of worry when on a road trip,
and can prevent being stranded along the way due to running out of gas, if the
necessary steps were taken to only go as far between fill-ups as the cars mpg allows.
Taking the time to study, ask questions, and gain a better understanding of the math
concepts being taught in this course has freed me from years of anxiety that
accompanied the request from my children to help them with their homework. I no
longer feel trapped and embarrassed. That is very liberating!

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