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	Meet You at the Intersection: Solving a System of Linear Equations

Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will collect and analyze motion data in order to determine the solution to a linear system of equations. They graph two motions on a common axis and find their intersection.

Before the Activity

Connect the motion detectors to the DIG/SONIC port of each of the CBL 2™ or to the DIG/SONIC 1 and DIG/SONIC 2 ports of the Vernier LabPro®

Connect the data collection devices to the calculators using the Unit-to-Unit cable

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 301 - 309 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 detectors on a table, about 2 meters apart and parallel to each other

Simultaneously, make one person walk toward the first motion detector, and another person walk away from the second motion detector and begin data collection

Record the position and time at which the two persons cross each other

As data collection ends, transfer the data of the first calculator into the second one and observe the distance versus time graphs on the calculator

Trace through the plot and record the slopes of the lines, and the coordinates of the point of intersection on the Data Sheet

Write down a linear equation for each line and algebraically find the intersection of the two lines

After the Activity

Students' will analyze their data and complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They also answer 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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