Activity Detail
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Cricket Thermometers
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students investigate the relationship between temperature and number of cricket chirps. They learn to find the other value of a function when given one value of a function. Students use linear regression and plot a set of ordered pairs.

Before the Activity

  • Set up the calculator for data collection using the procedure described in the attached Appendix PDF file
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 1 - 9 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Listen to the chirping, for each temperature record the number of chirps heard in a 15-second time period
  • Enter the temperature and the chirps per minute data using lists
  • Set the X and Y extremes and create a scatter plot
  • Perform a linear regression and study its graph
  • Enter the number of chirps per minute for the unknown
  • Examine the graph and record the intersection point of the two lines
  • The X value of the point of intersection is the temperature of the habitat where the unknown cricket was chirping

    		After the Activity

    		Students will complete the Data Collection and Analysis page and answer questions.

    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-83 Plus Family, TI-84 Plus Family

    Apps:
     

    Software:
     

    Accessories:
     

    Other:
    This is Activity 1 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Activities for Algebra with the TI-83 Plus.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Cassette player
  • Tape of crickets chirping


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