San Antonio Community College Statistics Worksheet

MATH AssignmentJob 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 2022-2023. 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.
• VISUAL COMMUNICATION (the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed
through visible images.)
The attached set of images, “Are you on the Fast-Track?”
• 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.
• Figure 2 is a
• Figure 3 is a
c. Explain how the choice of books and caps as icons in Figure 2 affect
the image’s message.
d. What other icons would you suggest that could convey the message
of Figure 2?
•
2. Explanation (meanings and purposes of the image)
• How do you interpret the message of Figure 2 (books and caps)?
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How do you interpret the message of Figure 3 (colored lines)?
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?
b. For whom are Figures 2 and 3 designed?
c. What do you need to do based on the suggestion of this visual graphic?
•
QUANTITATIVE LITERACY (using numerical data to reason and accurately solve
quantitative problems.)
•
Part a. Analyzing 11 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.
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
$2040
$2146
$2204
$2290
$2324
$2437
2017-2018
2018-2019
2019-2020
2020-2021
2021-2022
2022-2023
$2560
$2617
$2763
2863
2885
$
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?
ab. Which year-over-year increase appears to be the smallest?
ac. What drives these numbers to increase?
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2a. Representation (converting information into mathematical form) together
with
3a. Calculations
aa. Compute the average (the mean) tuition costs using Table A.
ab. Find the median of Table A.
ac. Find the mode, if any, of Table A.
ad. How much did tuition increase from 2011 to 2021-2022?
ae. Find the average increase per year.
af. Using this average, estimate the tuition for 2022-2023:
Tuition estimate for 2022-2023 = $
Enter this amount in the blank box of Table A for 2022-2023.
ag. Find the per cent increase in tuition from the previous year. %
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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 fulltime load (12 credit hours per semester) at $20 per credit hour for the
academic year (2 semesters). Increase = $
bb. Find the new estimated total tuition cost in 2022-2023 when
inflation and “free” textbooks are included. $
bc. Find the per cent increase in tuition due solely to the “textbook effect”
in 2021-2022 from the previous year. %
bd. Do you believe that inflation is still active, driving costs ever higher?
be. If answered “yes” above, add the per cent increase due to inflation
(3a.ag) with the “textbook effect” above (3b.bc) to find the total per cent
increase in tuition over the academic year. %
• 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.
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b. For which disciplines will “free” textbooks be particularly
advantageous?
5. Assumptions
a. What assumptions were made in the original estimate of tuition cost?
(II. Part a.3a.af)
b. What additional assumptions were made in the above current scenario?
(3b.bb)
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6. Communication: Use of quantitative information
Which of the above calculations are most beneficial to help you decide if
“free” textbooks are to your advantage?
Graphic by: Liliana Rodriguez