I particularly liked one of the questions on my exam today. I'll have to see whether the students responded well to it or not. It is hard to teach, and to learn, how to apply mathematical modelling to questions such as this one, but that is our ultimate aim, and a student who can't do it has not learned what the math is all about.

3. (15 points) Mr. and Mrs. Rasmusen were driving to church one snowy morning and saw a pickup truck with a plow attachment clearing a house's driveway.

``That would be a good way for a lawnmowing company to make money,'' Mr. Rasmusen said. ``A plow attachment doesn't cost much and people would be willing to pay quite a bit to not have to clear their driveway by hand.''

``But won't competition drive down the price?'' said Mrs. Rasmusen.

Answer Mrs. Rasmusen's question, discussing the various possibilities in light of what you have learned in this class and any other ideas you may have.

[ http://php.indiana.edu/~erasmuse/w/03.12.15e.htm ]

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