In Exercise 2.4 it tells you that the discount rate is 10%.  Through my studying for the FM exam I know that what they call the discount rate (usually denoted 'd') something different...  d = i / (1+i)

Just for clarification, everytime you talk about the discount rate for homework, tests, etc.  You will be meaning the interest rate used to discount the payments correct?  Just making sure this terminology will not switch back and forth.

I understand that this isnt an actuarial course, but by habit I do sometmes use some actuarial notation for example v=(1/(1+i)), or 'a angle' for annuities.  Is it ok if I use this notation in the homework assignments as long as I define the variable?

[NEAS: The course instructors are familiar with actuarial notation. But the final exam uses the notation in the textbook. For instance, the discount rate is the interest rate used to determine the present value of future cash flows, not the reciprocal of the interest rate. For the homework, you can use the actuarial terms.]