Why Is Alaska So Cool?
(When the days are so long?)
Activity 1: TI83 + DATA = MODEL
Guiding Question: |
How can scientific data be analyzed and modeled with a mathematical equation? |
Description: |
This activity provides an introduction to computational science and mathematical modeling. It also provides a tutorial for entering a given set of data (temperatures of gas at varying volumes) into the TI-83 calculator, plotting the data, and fitting a regression equation (linear) to the data. |
Objective: |
To determine a line of best fit (regression line) from a given set of data using the TI-83 Plus graphing calculator. |
Teaching Strategies:
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Students can work through the activity independently or in a guided discussion in the classroom showing the TI-83 screens through an overhead display. Students should be able to use basic operations and enter and graph simple linear functions on a TI-83. An optional activity, A Tutorial for the TI-83 Graphing Calculator, is provided. |
Assessment:
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Concluding questions are provided to measure student’s ability to find data points on the graph, to predict new values of data not in the original set, and to determine if the volume of a gas can be zero. |
Download: |
Answers to Concluding Questions (Word) Tutorial for TI-83 Graphing Calculator (Word) |