The goal of this problem set is to introduce you to some of the skills that a computer programmer, a computer analyst, a software salesperson, or a customer service person needs. The first three are word problems from seventh grade algebra that relate to traffic simulations, computer games, and basic business programs. The fourth one concerns geometry, which is needed to determine graphical layouts. The last one is about interacting with people, an extraordinarily important skill in our area.

Problem 1:

A boy gets retained by his parents' condo association to sweep the side walk in the summer and to shovel the snow in the winter. Just to make sure he works for the association, he gets 5 dollars a month; he doesn't have to work for that. For every hour he needs to sweep or shovel, he gets min wage of $5.25 per hour.

How much does he get if he works 2 hours? 5 hours? 10 hours? per month.

Make a table that shows the results.

Create a formula for calculating how much the boy earns if he works H hours.

Use the formula and a calculator or the Interactions Window to find out how much the boy earns when a snow storm forces him to work for 100 hours in a month.

Problem 2:

A car accelerates from 0 to 60 (miles per hour) in about 10 seconds like this:

after t =	0	1	2	3	4	5	...	10	...	15	seconds
it has traveled	0	3	12	27	48	75	...	??	...	??	meters

Create a formula for calculating how far the car has gotten in t seconds.

Use the formula and a calculator or DrScheme's Interactions Window to fill in the two boxes with ?? in the above table.

Problem 3:

To launch a rocket, we place it on a pedestal that's 10 meters tall. At t = 0, the engines ignite and the rocket lifts off. So,

seconds	meters
at t = 0	it is at 10
at t = 1	it is at 15
at t = 2	it is at 30
at t = 3	it is at 55
at t = 4	it is at 90

Where is the rocket at t = 5?

Write a formula that calculates how high the rocket is, given that t seconds have passed since the launch.

Use the program and a pocket calculator or the Interactions Window to find out how high it is at t = 10? t = 200? t = 400?

Problem 4:

Draw a sail boat with two sails, floating on water into a 100 x 100 box.

Draw a a boxy car driving on top of a black street into a 100 x 100 box.

Use graph paper to draw. Use only rectangles (incl. squares), equisided triangles, and circles. You may leave those blank or fill them in with color.

Problem 5:

Interview a classmate and find out his (or her) motivation for enrolling in computer science. Write up the result of the interview as a single paragraph (at most 150 words) that could go into a student newspaper. The paragraph should include some basic information about the person you interviewed.