Embedded Files
Homework #2 (Questions 7 and 9)
These artifacts are questions from Homework #2, which we did during Week One, the homework was on probability, specifically multi-stage experiments. The first two pictures (first row) show my first, second and third attempts at Question 7. The second two pictures (second row) show my first and second attempts at Question 9.
First attempt at Question 7
First attempt at Question 7
When I started this homework assignment, I felt pretty confident in my abilities to correct use probability trees when solving multi-stage probability problems. However, once I had checked my answers, that confidence went right out the window. I remember feeling a bit frustrated after figuring out my first attempt was wrong, but I didn't let it get to me.
Second and third attempt at Question 7
Second and third attempt at Question 7
After realizing I had gotten the problem wrong, the first thing I did was go back and reread that question to make sure I didn't leave out any key information. After rereading the question, I determined that I hadn't left out any key details, which meant that I most likely needed to attack this problem from a different angle. I then tried to set up my probability tree differently than I had in my first attempt. When I checked my answer again and saw that I was wrong (again), I was extremely frustrated and discouraged. I debated not trying again and moving on, but I knew that giving up wouldn't help me in the long run. After going back and reviewing my notes and looking at other example problems I was able to see that while I had my probability tree set up correctly this time, my probabilities were wrong. I had 1/2 for the first step, 1/4 for the second step, and 1/8 for the third step when they all should've been 1/2 (you can see the correct way to solve this problem in my third attempt). That was the lightbulb moment I needed, and from that point on I was able to think back to this problem to help me determine how to solve/set up some of the probability problems.
First attempt at Question 9
First attempt at Question 9
As I said above, I was fairly confident going into this assignment, when I got multiple questions wrong it was frustrating, however, I knew that I had to persevere and figure out the correct way to solve this problem or else I'd never learn.
Second attempt at Question 9
Second attempt at Question 9
After realizing that I had gotten the problem incorrect I followed the same beginning steps that I did with question 7, reread the problem to make sure I didn't miss any key points and once I had determined I hadn't, I tried to find a different way to go about solving this problem. At first, I couldn't find a different way to set up this problem, I figured my math was just incorrect the first time, but after rewriting my first probability tree I realized that there had to be another way to solve this problem. I looked back at my notes and some example problems and then from those decided to try and set up my probability tree differently. After I was able to find a new way to attack this problem, I was able to go through and solve correctly. I went from extremely frustrated and discouraged to proud, I had stuck it out, despite wanting to quit, and I had learned how to determine which set up I need to use, which proved to be helpful in later assignments/quizzes.
Summary
Despite feeling extremely frustrated and discouraged after my first attempts, and wanting to give up, I knew that I would be harming myself in the long run. Giving up doesn't get you anywhere, however persistence and perseverance does. I knew that I would have more problems similar to these on future quizzes/exams/assignments and that it would be imperative that I could properly set up my probability trees, and that is what kept me going in this particular case.
More generally what motivates me to "keep going" when things get tough is my family and my future. My family are my biggest supporters and they have given so much for me to be where and who I am today. I want to make them proud, and I want them to see that all of the time, money, love, etc. they have provided for me over the years has been worth it. My future also is what motivates me, I have wanted to be an elementary school teacher since I was in about 3rd grade, I believe teaching is truly my passion in life, and I am so beyond excited to have my own classroom and to start making a difference in the world. When things get difficult, I try to look at the big picture, I remind myself how blessed I am in so many ways, and I remind myself what I am doing all of this work for.
I feel like I have always had the skill of persistence and perseverance, I definitely have learned it from friends and family around me growing up. I have always pushed myself extremely hard in areas like school, work, and sports, this led me to learn how to persist and persevere through hard things from a young age. I will say sometimes I still struggle with persistence, especially when I am feeling burnt out, but I am always able to get myself back on track and keep chugging along.
I feel like my capacity to learn was definitely expanded by this experience; I mean without it I probably wouldn't have had the skills needed to determine how to set up multi-stage probability problems correctly in future assignments/quizzes/exams.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse