Assignment title: Information
MAT10706(Assignment(2( S2(2016( (
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MAT10706 QUANTITATIVE METHODS WITH ECONOMICS
ASSIGNMENT 2
Due Week 7 midnight 11pm Sunday 28th August
Value 30%
Topics 1 to 6
Please follow these guidelines for the assignment
•! The assignment must be submitted online as a SINGLE Word file with Excel output copied and pasted (use paste special -> Excel object).
•! All submissions should be typed including the mathematics in A4 page size
•! All written descriptions must be in correctly structured sentences using appropriate mathematical, business, and English language.
•! Descriptions should be in formal language (e.g. third person – no use of I or me throughout)
•! Figures and tables must be fully labelled and include titles
You are not required to find any other references to use in this assignment. All the information you need is given in the question or in your study material.
However, if you happen to use other resources, ensure that they are referenced using Harvard conventions.
All submitted work must be your own. Using others' work as if it is your own can be deemed to be plagiarism.
Remember your assignment must be submitted online in a single word file.MAT10706(Assignment(2( S2(2016( (
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W'ght
in %
Criterion Excellent (HD) Very Good (D)
Good (C)
Satisfactory (P) Unsatisfactory (F) Not Present
40 Calculations
•! Relevant to question
•! Accurate
•! Correctly set out
•! Appropriate rounding
includes units with
measurements.
The calculations are
highly related to the
task; Excellent
calculations with
high level of
mathematical setting
out, rounding and
measurements
The calculations are
closely related to the
task; Advanced
calculations,
advanced setting
out, rounding, and
measurements.
The calculations are
related to the task;
Competent
calculations;
competent setting
out; rounding, and
measurements
The calculations are
partially related to
the task; Adequate
calculations with
some errors, basic
setting out, rounding
and measurements.
The calculations are
not related to the
task; Calculations
are incorrect. Poor
mathematical setting
out, rounding, and
measurements.
Calculations are
absent.
25 Use of Excel
•! Correct tables
•! Correct graphs
•! Graphs relevant to the
question
•! Graphs fully labelled
Highly advanced use
of excel to draw
graphs, graphs are
fully labelled and
relevant to the
question.
Advanced use of
Excel to draw
graphs, graphs are
fully labelled with
minor errors and
relevant to the
question.
Effective use of
Excel to draw
graphs, graphs are
labelled with some
errors and relevant
to the question.
Basic use of Excel
to draw graphs,
graphs are partially
labelled and
partially relevant to
the question.
Poor use of Excel to
draw graphs, graphs
have no relevant
labels and are not
relevant to the
question.
No graphs.
15 Communication
•! Effective and relevant
•! Logically sequenced
•! Appropriate structure
•! Use of mathematical,
business, and English
language
Exemplary logic,
structure, and use of
mathematical,
business and English
language
Advanced logic,
structure, and use of
mathematical,
business, and
English language.
Effective logic,
structure, and use of
mathematical,
business, and
English language
Satisfactory logic,
structure and use of
mathematical,
business, and
English language
Unsatisfactory logic,
structure, and use of
mathematical,
business, and
English language.
No logic or
structure; Little use
of mathematical,
business, and
English language.
20 Conclusion
•! Clear and relevant
concluding statement
•! Assumptions
Clear statement of
conclusion with all
questions answered
appropriately;
excellent statement
of assumptions and
limitations
Statement of
conclusion with
majority of
questions answered
appropriately; very
clear statement of
assumptions and
limitations
Statement of
conclusion with
questions answered
appropriately; clear
statement of
assumptions and
limitations.
Basic statement of
conclusion with
some questions
answered
appropriately; sound
statement of
assumptions and
limitations.
Statement of
conclusion not
relevant to the task.
Assumptions
included but not
relevant.
No conclusion
present.MAT10706(Assignment(2( S2(2016( (
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Question 1 Calculation of Superannuation.
Superannuation is a way to save for your retirement. The money comes from contributions made into your
superannuation fund by your employer and ideally, added to with your own money. Sometimes the government
will add to it through co-contributions and a low income contribution.
Your employer must pay 9.5% of your salary into a superannuation fund. In Australia this is the law.
(https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/superannuation-and-retirement/how-super-works)
An Australian worker aged 35 and currently earning $65,000 per annum, has an established superannuation
account, into which her employer pays 9.5% of her salary each year but she does not contribute any extra money to
the fund (a co-contribution). She has calculated that she needs her superannuation fund to earn $35,000 per annum
on retirement and she expects to live for another 20 years after retirement. Assume:
1.! She will retire at 65 and can access her superannuation immediately.
2.! Her Superannuation fund will generate 5% return (compounded annually), over the long term.
3.! Her income remains $65,000 per annum.
Steps to complete to undertake the investigation
Calculate:
a.! How much money will be in the Superannuation account by the time she retires at 65?
b.! What will her income be if the account generates 5% return?
c.! How much money should be in the superannuation account if she wants to earn $35,000 per year from the
account after her retirement?
d. What age would she have to work till in order to generate $35,000 p.a as a pension after her retirement?
e. Using excel or similar, graph the Total amount (V) against time in years (n).
In a short statement of no more than 300 words, use your findings to provide advice for young people entering the
workforce, concerning the accumulation of superannuation.
•! Specifically address the issue of co contribution.
•! The limitations evident in your calculations.
•! Any assumptions that you have made.
Further information about superannuation is available at the following url:
•! https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super/
•! http://www.smh.com.au/money/super-and-funds/budget-2016-super-strategies-for-the-average-aussie-
20160504-golvtz.htmlMAT10706(Assignment(2( S2(2016( (
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Question 2 Impact of company tax
A small business produces work boots for sale in Australia. They produce 23,500 pairs of boots per year and
sell then for $50 a pair. In the 2014-2015 financial year they paid company tax on their earnings at 28.5%.
The company's total fixed costs are $125,000 per year and the total variable costs are $14 per pair of boots.
The price demand function for q number of boots in thousands, is ! = 50 − & (p is the price in dollars).
Company taxes are to be reduced to 25% for the next financial year.
1.! What is the amount of tax (in $) paid at:
a.! 28.5% (rate in 2014-2015)
b.! 25% (rate in 2015-2016)
2.! Should the company reduce the price per pair of boots by the amount of reduced tax paid or retain the extra
profit? Justify your answer by showing all working.