TC3 → Stan Brown → Statistics → Fall08 ME50 → Sep 16 Take-Home Quiz
revised Sep 23, 2008

Take-Home Quiz with Solutions: Course Outline

These solutions show about the same level of work I expect from you, though I add quite a bit of extra commentary. Please see Show Your Work for the what, why, and how.

Test your understanding of course policies that affect you. After reading the Course Outline you should be able to answer all of these. Give short answers, just a word or phrase. Yes, it’s okay to refer back to the document if you need to.

1What’s the single most important factor in my success? (Hint: it’s not skill in math. Find the answer on the last page of the Course Outline.)

Answer:  Your own resolution to succeed or similar. See Your Success, specifically the closing quotation from Abraham Lincoln.

Remark: Some students give good answers for other important factors in success. But this was a quiz about the Course Outline, and you needed to answer from the Course Outline.

2I got the right answer on the quiz but you took points off! Why?

Answer: You need to show your work for any problem that involves calculation. See Written Work.

3How much time will I need to spend on homework, give or take? (Give the number from the Course Outline for the mythical “average student”.)

Answer:  Typically 6–9 hours a week, more or less depending on your own ability and your goals. See Your Responsibilities.

4Can I refer to my notes or the textbook during a quiz?

Answer:  You can create your own crib sheet for use on all quizzes and exams. See Quizzes and Exams.

5Can I eat or drink in class?  (Hint: The answer isn’t a simple “Yes” or “No”.)

Answer:  Yes, if you don’t distract others. See Your Responsibilities.

Common mistake:  Despite the hint, I always get several answers of a simple “Yes” or “No”.

6If I attend every class, take good notes, study, do the homework, and ask questions when I don’t understand something, I’ll be fine, right?

Answer:  Pretty much, yes. Remember that you have lots of sources of help! See Your Responsibilities.

Remark: Because I was pretty strict on the first question (single most important factor), I was more lenient with answers on this question.

7How does missing class affect my course grade? What about arriving late?

Answer: If you miss class when there’s a quiz you get a zero for that quiz. Otherwise, attendance doesn’t count directly in your grade, but most students need class to understand the material. Attending classes on time is part of professional conduct so lateness costs you professional conduct points. See Attendance.

8I forgot my calculator, but Joe said I can share his for the quiz. Okay?

Answer: No. Students must each have their own calculator during any quiz or exam, because of the potential for cheating. See Quizzes and Exams. Make sure you bring all necessary materials to every class; this is part of good work skills. See Your Responsibilities. (In the unlikely event that your calculator dies in class or right before, talk to Prof. Marvel and something will be worked out.)

The “no sharing” policy might seem arbitrary. The problem is that TI-83s store graphs, statistics lists, and recently executed commands. I want to make sure that each person does his or her own work.

9I’m going to be out of town and will miss class. Can I make up the quiz? Can I turn in the homework in place of the quiz?

Answer: No, you can’t make up the quiz or turn in something else instead. But this can be one of your automatic “freebies” that don’t count in your grade. See Quizzes and Exams.

10I missed the quiz and I have a note from my doctor. You’ll still drop two of my other quizzes, right?

Answer: No. The two “freebies” are not in addition to valid excuses, they allow valid excuses. This means Prof. Marvel doesn’t approve or disapprove your excuse for missing a quiz. See Quizzes and Exams.

11On the assigned homework, if an answer isn’t at the back of the book where can I find it?

Answer:  The Baker Center has solution guides with answers and solutions for all problems. You may also be able to buy a solution manual in the bookstore. See Required Texts and Materials.

12What can I do to earn extra credit?

Answer: You can present your field project to the class, or point out errors by Professor Marvel. See Point System.

13I had to miss class. How can I find out the assignment?

Answer: You can check this on the Web site, and you should. All assignments and announcements are duplicated on the class Web site, <http://www.tc3.edu/instruct/sbrown/stat5008c/>. See Required Texts and Materials.

Remark: Some students answered that the assignments are handed out in the syllabus at the start of the course. That’s true, but if you missed class you should still check the Web or ask a classmate in case changes were announced in class.

14What’s Professor Marvel’s real name?

Answer: Stan Brown

15Oops! I did the lab but I forgot and left it at home. How much credit will I get for turning it in by the start of the next class?

Answer: 2/3. (If you were prevented from completing it by an emergency, talk to Prof. Marvel about a possible extension.) See Labs and Projects.

Remark: Several students answered “none”. Please be aware that even if you don’t have a good reason for not turning in a lab or project in class on the due date, you can still get 2/3 credit for turning it in any time up to the next class.

If someone can suggest a way I could make that section more clear, I’d be pleased to adopt it.

16What’s “the big no-no”? (See the Web page Significant Digits and Rounding under General Math — the answer is the first eight words of “The Big No-no” section of that page.)

Answer: Never round in the middle of a calculation.

Common mistake: Some students say “no cheating” or some variation. That’s a big no-no, I agree, but it’s not the specific one this question asked for.


This page is used in instruction at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, New York; it’s not an official statement of the College. Please visit www.tc3.edu/instruct/sbrown/ to report errors or ask to copy it.

For updates and new info, go to http://www.tc3.edu/instruct/sbrown/stat5008c/