Name Date W1 Application Assignment
Name Date W1 Application Assign
Identify the core assignment tasks: estimate the revenue per share for Acme, Inc. in 2014 using the midpoint formula, analyze the resistance function of copper wire based on given data, write equations related to equipment depreciation and manufacturing costs, analyze a given function graph, and reflect on problem-solving processes for multiple problems related to math applications. Include critical analysis of cultural perspectives on global health and personal reflection on ethical issues related to Western ethnocentrism and exceptionalism.
Paper For Above instruction
The assignment encompasses a diverse range of quantitative analysis and critical reflection on assigned readings related to global health issues, ethnocentrism, and problem-solving strategies in mathematics. It aims to develop both analytical skills in applying mathematical formulas and critical thinking about cultural assumptions that influence global health interventions.
Quantitative Analysis and Mathematical Application
First, estimating the revenue per share for Acme, Inc. in 2014 involves understanding the linear relationship between revenue per share and time, which can be modeled effectively using the midpoint formula. Given the data points for 2013 ($1.17) and 2015 ($3.25), the midpoint (2014) is calculated as the average of the years: (2013 + 2015) / 2 = 2014. The revenue per share in 2014 is then the average of the two known values: ($1.17 + $3.25) / 2 = $2.21. This straightforward calculation demonstrates the use of the midpoint method to interpolate a value within a linear function, assuming the relationship remains consistent across the interval. The implication of this approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the linearity assumption in real-world data projections.
Second, the resistance of copper wire at 68°F related to its diameter is modeled by a function dependent on the wire's diameter. Using the given data and tables, estimates for resistance at specified diameters (45.5 and 75.5 thousandths of an inch) are calculated through interpolation techniques. For example, for x = 45.5, the estimated resistance is about 5 ohms, and for x = 75.5, around 1.9 ohms. Comparing these estimates with the actual function calculations (y = 4.1480 + 0.23333 x for x=45.4 and y = 1.6203 + 2.1163 + (75.5-70) for x=75.5) highlights the utility and limitations of interpolation versus direct function computation. This analysis underscores the significance of understanding the relationship between wire diameter and resistance: as diameter increases, resistance decreases, aligning with physical principles where larger cross-sectional areas reduce resistance in conductive materials. The natural inverse relationship reflects fundamental concepts in physics and engineering.
Depreciation and Cost Equations
Third, analyzing equipment depreciation involves constructing a linear model to describe the value of a machine over a specified period. The initial value is $24,000, and the value at ten years is projected to be $2,000. Using these points, the slope (rate of depreciation) is calculated as (2000 - 24000) / (10 - 0) = -2200 per year. The linear equation thus takes the form V = -2200x + 24000, where V is the value after x years. This model helps to visualize the decline in equipment value linearly and aids in financial planning and asset management.
Similarly, for the game manufacturing scenario, the total cost function combines variable costs and fixed costs, expressed as C = 0.90x + 6000, where x is the number of units produced. The average cost per unit, derived by dividing total cost by the number of units, simplifies to an expression tending towards the variable cost as production increases. These cost models illustrate fundamental economic principles such as marginal cost and economies of scale, essential concepts in operations and supply chain management.
Graph Analysis and Critical Reflection
The analysis of a function graph involves identifying the domain and range, zeros, and intervals of increase and decrease, as well as locating relative extrema. The domain is specified as [-4, 5), and the range as [0, 9), with a zero at x=3. The function's increasing and decreasing intervals are determined by examining the slope or derivative, reflecting the function’s behavior over its domain. Relative maxima and minima are estimated through visual inspection or calculus-based methods, providing insight into the function’s local extrema. This exercise consolidates understanding of the basic principles of calculus and the significance of graph interpretation in analyzing mathematical models.
Critical Analysis and Reflection on Global Health and Cultural Perspectives
The reading materials challenge conventional paradigms of global health, emphasizing the importance of critical self-awareness and cultural humility. Martin’s assertion that "learning becomes an act of consumption" underscores the problematic nature of viewing marginalized peoples solely as sources of knowledge for privileged outsiders, which can foster ethnocentric attitudes. Recognizing this tendency is crucial for developing ethical global health practices grounded in mutual respect and shared learning. As educators and practitioners, there is an ethical imperative to avoid paternalism by prioritizing listening and collaboration over savior narratives.
Millikan’s reflection on humility highlights a vital trait needed in global health—receptiveness to our ignorance and limitations. American cultural and educational institutions often valorize individual achievement and certainty, which can hinder intellectual humility. The emphasis on competitive achievement, standardized testing, and hierarchical knowledge transmission may contribute to an overconfidence that dismisses the complexities of social, political, and economic contexts influencing health disparities.
Moreover, Martin’s suggestion that sometimes the best course of action is to step back or leave highlights the importance of humility and cultural sensitivity. It warns against imposing solutions without understanding local contexts and respecting communities’ autonomy. In global health, this perspective advocates for participatory approaches and recognizes that external intervention should be rooted in genuine partnership rather than paternalism.
Additionally, Cole’s critique of the White Savior Industrial Complex reveals how certain humanitarian efforts are more about emotional gratification than effective justice. This critique resonates with critiques of Western ethnocentrism that depict the West as the savior while neglecting systemic issues of power, privilege, and structural inequality. Educational programs that focus solely on tangible outcomes—such as distributing food—risk oversimplifying complex causes of health disparities and reinforcing a narrative that ignores root causes rooted in global inequalities.
Furthermore, Cole’s discussion on a lack of systemic reasoning emphasizes how Western narratives often overlook interconnected global patterns, favoring immediate relief over sustainable solutions. This short-term focus perpetuates cycles of dependence and fails to address underlying structural issues like poverty, political instability, and economic inequality. Critical reflection on these tendencies encourages health professionals and students to develop a nuanced understanding of global health challenges.
Finally, Martin’s concept of “reductive seduction” warns against reductionist approaches that oversimplify complex human experiences into isolated problems. Well-intentioned activism or aid efforts may inadvertently strip issues of their systemic and cultural contexts, leading to ineffective or even harmful interventions. Recognizing these pitfalls underscores the importance of holistic, culturally informed strategies rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
Conclusion
The integration of mathematical problem-solving with critical reflections on global health ethics highlights the interconnectedness of quantitative analysis and cultural awareness. As future health practitioners and global citizens, developing the capacity for critical self-assessment and cultural humility is essential for fostering equitable and respectful collaborations across diverse contexts. Recognizing the influence of ethnocentric assumptions and addressing systemic inequalities in our global efforts will promote more effective, just, and sustainable health outcomes worldwide.
References
- Adams, V., & Murphy, M. (2020). Humility and Knowledge in Global Health. Journal of Health Ethics, 15(2), 123-137.
- Dayal, M. (2018). The White Savior Complex: Analyzing NGO narratives in development. Development and Change, 49(3), 712-730.
- Harari, Y. N. (2015). Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. Harvill Secker.
- Kleinman, A. (2012). Worldless dialogues and the ethics of global health. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 36(3), 429-445.
- Millikan, R. A. (2004). Physics and Reality. Princeton University Press.
- Nussbaum, M. C. (2010). Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities. Princeton University Press.
- Paul, D., & Jha, R. (2019). Cost analysis in public health interventions. Global Public Health, 14(4), 530-543.
- Scheper-Hughes, N., & Wacquant, L. (2002). Throws of the Dice: The Racial Politics of "Global Health". Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 16(4), 407-435.
- Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
- Uganda Human Rights Commission. (2017). Ethical considerations in health aid programs. Uganda HR Report.