Activity Detail
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Stepping to the Greatest Integer: The Greatest Integer Function
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to collect position data showing evenly-spaced jumps in value. They will then model this data using the greatest integer function.

Before the Activity

  • Connect the motion detector to the DIG/SONIC port of the CBL 2™ or the 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 209 - 215 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Line up six students, uniformly-spaced, in front of the motion detector
  • Once the detector is activated make the students step aside in evenly spaced time intervals
  • Examine the distance versus time graph displayed on the calculator
  • Model the function with an equation
  • Compare the graph with graph of the greatest integer function
  • Estimate the magnitude of the vertical spacing between steps and the typical length in time of the steps

    		After the Activity

    		Students will fill in the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet and answer question 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 : Linear Equations and Functions

    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, TI-GRAPH LINK™ Cable, Unit-to-Unit link cables, Vernier LabPro®

    Other:
    This is Activity 21 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Real-World Math Made Easy.



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