Activity Detail
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From Here to There Applications of the Distance Formula
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will use a pair of motion detectors to record the cartesian coordinates of a rod moving in a star-shaped pattern and calculate the distances moved between the vertices of the star. They also compare these calculated distances with direct measurements on the star pattern.

Before the Activity

  • Connect motion detectors to the DIG/SONIC ports of the CBL 2™ unit or the DIG/SONIC 1 and DIG/SONIC 2 ports of the Vernier LabPro® unit
  • Connect the CBL 2 or LabPro to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit cable
  • Make a note of which detector will collect x-coordinates and which one will gather y-coordinates
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 133 - 141 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Position the star figure sheet and the motion detectors on the table
  • Move the rod along the star shaped pattern and collect data
  • Study the distance versus time graph and record the distance between the y-detector and the first vertex of the star shape
  • Trace the graph to display the coordinates of the vertices and record them in the Data table
  • Measure the length of each segment on the star pattern with a meter stick and record the values in the Data sheet
  • Compare the segment lengths calculated using the distance formula with those determined by direct measurement

    		After the Activity

    		Students' will complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet and 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

    		Other Downloads




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    Subject Area:
    Math : Algebra I : Equations and Inequalities

    Author:
    Texas Instruments

    Level:
    9-12

    Activity Time:
    60 Minutes

    Device:
    TI-73 Explorer™, TI-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family

    Apps:
    DataMate, EasyData™

    Software:
    TI Connect™

    Accessories:
    CBL™/CBL 2™, Sensor - Motion Detector, TI Connectivity Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables, Vernier LabPro®

    Other:
    This is Activity 14 from the EXPLORATIONS Book: Real-World Math Made Easy.

    The following materials are required for this activity :

  • Meter stick
  • Masking tape
  • Plastic pipe


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