_MATH Artifact - MATH1314-41103

MATH Assignment for Core Assessment, 2021-2022 DRAFT Job opportunity surveys have consistently shown a high demand for those who can use mathematics to model complex processes and make informed predictions of the future. With this assignment, the student has the opportunity to demonstrate his or her level of sophistication with respect to the key, in-demand skills of communication, quantitative literacy, and critical thinking . One skill of critical thinking involves evaluating information taken from sources and questioning its authenticity. This assignment may contain questionable information. Objective: You are to consider the implications of rising tuition costs and make better, more informed life decisions with respect to course load. Specifically, you will estimate the tuition costs in the year 2021-2022. You will also evaluate the implications of “free” textbooks and consider the conditions for which this works to your advantage. Answer the following questions using complete sentences. I. Visual Communication (the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visible images.) The attached set of images, “Are you on the Fast-Track?” is found on the Eastfield Campus website. 1. Description of the image For Figure 2, “Number of classes” and Figure 3, “Cost,” identify the type of graph. Choose one of the following: line graph, bar graph, picture graph, or pie (circle) graph. a. Figure 2 is a picture graph b. Figure 3 is a line graph c. Explain how the choice of books and caps as icons in Figure 2 affect the image’s message. - The choice of books and caps affects the image’s message. The books and caps are a symbolization of school, this allows the interpreter to make a connection between studying and graduation. d. What other icons would you suggest that could convey the message of Figure 2? - There are other icons that I can suggest to better convey the message of Figure 2. For example, the use of backpacks, study textbooks, and A+ symbol would all portray graduation. 2. Explanation (meanings and purposes of the image) a. How do you interpret the message of Figure 2 (books and caps)? - The message I interpreted from Figure 2 was that the more classes per semester, the faster one obtains an Associate’s Degree. a. How do you interpret the message of Figure 3 (colored lines)? - The message I interpreted from Figure 3 was that the increasing lines determine the amount of time and money one takes to complete their degree. Since the lines are increasing it’s showing that the cost of living, cost of debt, and college tuition increase in cost and time as well. 3. Consequences and Implications a. In Figure 2 (books and caps), the choice of taking 4 classes per semester (a full load) is conspicuously absent. Assuming 4 classes per semester, how many years do you think it would take to complete an Associates Degree? - I can assume that taking four classes per semester will be significantly faster/more difficult to obtain an associate’s degree. Due to my knowledge of the graph, I can assume it will take approximately a year and a half. b. For whom are Figures 2 and 3 designed? - Figures 2 and 3 are designed for students and those interested in earning an associate’s degree. c. What do you need to do based on the suggestion of this visual graphic? - Based on the suggestion of the visual graphic, one would need to make sure they are able to budget and be smart of their time during their college years. I. Quantitative Literacy (using numerical data to reason and accurately solve quantitative problems.)

Part a. Analyzing 10 years of tuition data 1a. Interpretation The following Table A shows the average costs for the indicated academic year (24 credit hours) for all Texas public two-year community colleges. 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 $1858 $2040 $2146 $2204 $2290 $2324 $2437 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 $2560 $2617 $2763 $2944 $ ___3042_____ Table A Texas Public Two-Year In-District Tuition and Fees Source: The College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges Note: Average tuition and fee prices are weighted by full-time enrollment (12 hours per semester.) aa. What is the trend of these numbers? They increase. ab. Which year-over-year increase appears to be the smallest? 2014-2016 ac. What drives these numbers to increase? Inflation, cost of school 2a. Representation (converting information into mathematical form) together with 3a. Calculations aa. Compute the average (the mean) tuition costs using Table A. $2,380 ab. Find the median of Table A. $2,324 ac. Find the mode, if any, of Table A. None ad. How much did tuition increase from 2010 to 2020-2021? $1,086 ae. Find the average increase per year. $98.72 af. Using this average, estimate the tuition for 2021-2022: Tuition estimate for 2021-2022 = $ 3,042 Enter this amount in the blank box of Table A for 2021-2022. ag. Find the percent increase in tuition from the previous year. 3.33 % Part b: Find effect of “free” textbooks on tuition costs There has been a significant change in tuition costs beginning fall 2020. The Dallas County Community College District Board of Trustees has declared that tuition shall increase by $20 per credit hour, beginning in the fall 2020. However, the student will receive “free” textbooks and associated required materials for each class in which they are enrolled. The next section of calculations is designed to help you decide if this change is favorable to you personally. 2b. Representation, together with 3b. Calculations ba. Compute the increase in tuition due only to “free” textbooks for a full-time load (12 credit hours per semester) at $20 per credit hour for the academic year (2 semesters). - Increase = $480 for two semesters. bb. Find the percent increase in tuition due solely to the “textbook effect” in 2020-2021 from the previous year. - 15.78 % bc. Do you believe that inflation is still active, driving costs ever higher? Yes bd. If you answered “yes” above, then add the percent increase due to inflation with the “textbook effect” above (3b.bb) to find the total percent increase in tuition over the academic year. 15.78 % be. Find the new estimated total tuition cost in 2020-2021 when inflation and “free” textbooks are included. - $3,522 4. Application/Analysis a. Will the $240 increase in tuition (for 12 hours per semester) be advantageous to you personally, if you then do not have to pay for textbooks? Explain.

5. Conclusions and consequences a. Are you aware that you can “opt-out” of the “free” textbook charge of $20/credit hour? Yes . On the Dallas College website, choose Student Resources> On-line Services> Tutorials> at bottom of the screen under Additional Resources click Learning Materials Opt-Out for a 4- minute video.) b. The current 2021-2022 Dallas College cost of tuition is $79 per semester hour, including the “free” textbook cost of $20 per semester hour. Thus a full year (24 hours semester hours) of tuition and fees at Dallas College costs $1,896 . Compare this cost with your calculation in II. 3b.be for the Texas average estimated tuition and fees plus “free” textbooks. In conclusion, actual Dallas College tuition is $ 1,416 lower than the equivalent average Texas 2- year college in-district cost for 2021-2022. Alternately, we can say that Dallas College tuition is 14.16% of the equivalent Texas average 2-year college cost. Is Dallas College a good deal for you? Yes, when compared to large universities. c. What do you need to do based on your considerations of the factors of this exercise with respect to course load per semester, tuition trends, and “free” textbooks? - Based on the factors of this exercise, I know I need to be on top of all my classwork and scheduling, in order to avoid time and money wasted. In conclusion, the longer I take to complete my courses, the more it will cost me. Graphic by: Liliana Rodriguez