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	Graph It in Pieces: Piecewise-defined Functions

Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will record motion data for a walker and describe segments of the walker's motion using linear function. They will model the motion data using a piece-wise continuous function assembled from linear functions.

Before the Activity

Connect the motion detector to DIG/SONIC port of the CBL 2™ or DIG/SONIC 1 port of the Vernier LabPro®

Connect the CBL 2 or LabPro to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit cable

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 49 - 56 from the attached PDF file for your class

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During the Activity

Distribute the pages to your class.

Follow the Activity procedures:

Set up the motion detector on a table, at a height of about 1.2 m from the ground

Stand still for 4 seconds, walk away at a constant rate, turn and walk toward the motion detector and collect data

Examine the graph of distance versus time

Calculate the slope and write a linear equation for each section of the graph

Assemble the functions into one expression

After the Activity

Students' will examine the data and fill in the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They will also answer the questions listed in it.

Review student results

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

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