Math 461 Midterm Exam 3 solutions, results, and grading information

Exam 3 information

• Exam 3 Syllabus. The exam information/syllabus page posted before the exam.
• Exam 3 Solutions. Complete solutions, with score breakdown per subproblem, and detailed comments on incorrect approaches and common mistakes. Check here first before asking questions about the exam.
• Score breakdown: The maximal score was 150 points (not including the extracredit question, which was worth an additional 10 points). Each subproblem was worth 10 points, except for Problem 4, which was worth 8+8+9+15=40 points for the four parts (a)--(d). The true/false questions in part (d) of Problem 4 were scored as explained on the exam sheet: 3 points for a correct answer, 0 points for an answer left blank, -2 points for an incorrect answer. Thus, if you randomly guessed T or F on each of the 5 questions, your expected score on that part would be 5 points.
• Exam statistics: Scores ranged from 160 (150 points from the regular problems, plus 10 extracredit points) to the low 20s. 10 percent had a score of 150 or better, 20 percent had a score of 135 and higher, while 10 percent had a score below 40. The median score was 103.
• Grading appeals. In case of a simple accounting error (such as an incorrect addition of scores, or a discrepancy between your score on the exam and the score on the computer grade report), let me know, and I'll likely take care of it on the spot. If you have a question/complaint about the grading itself, talk to me after class, or see me during office hours. Most errors were not unique, and were graded uniformly. Before asking about the grading on a particular problem, make sure to check the Exam Solutions for any notes and comments on common mistakes.
  Deadline: The deadline for appeals on Exam 3 is Wednesday, May 6. (The exam will be returned Monday, May 4.)

General grading information

• Course Information Sheet. The yellow handout distributed at the beginning of the semester. Refer to this page for the complete grading policies.
• Online Scores. Log in with your NetID and password to view all your scores in this class, and your current points total. Most of the notation is self-explanatory. An asterisk (*) indicates an excused score (see the Course Information Sheet for a detailed explanation of an "excused" score). A double dash (--) indicates an assignment that has not been turned in; this counts as 0 points.
• Drop scores: The drop score rule has now been activated; the lowest of the 10 homework scores has been dropped. In the score display the dropped score is indicated by a double asterisk (**); you can verify yourself that this is the lowest among your hw scores. With the drop score factored in, only 9 of the 10 hw scores count, and the current maximal points total is 630 points (150 x 3 for the three midterms and 20 x 9 for the 9 hw assignments). (If you were granted an excused score for an assignment or exam, the maximal total will be lower, and your score will be rescaled when assigning grades. For example, a score of 240/480 is equivalent to 315/630.)
• Total score and letter grade correspondence: Your total accumulated score is the score shown at the end of the score display. The current maximal total score is 630 points (150 x 3 for the three midterms and 20 x 9 for the 9 hw assignments). (If you were granted an excused score for an assignment or exam, the maximal total will be lower, and your score will appropriately rescaled when assigning grades. For example, a score of 240/480 is equivalent to 315/630.)

  For your information, here is an approximate letter grade correspondence, based on the current maximal total score of 630 points: a total score above 530 corresponds to an A grade (A-, A, A+), 450 - 530, is a B grade; 380 - 450 a C grade; and 300 - 380 a D grade.

  After the Final Exam scores are in, course grades will be assigned in a linear fashion based on accumulated points, by placing cutoffs for letter grades at suitable gaps in the score distribution.

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