Activity Detail
If you are using a TI-73, TI-83, TI-84 or TI-89, there may be particular math or science applications you will need to download to use certain activities. If you are using TI-Nspire technology, please update your TI-Nspire handheld operating system or computer software to view the latest activities. The latest TI-Nspire operating system was released in June 2009.
Browse by Subject Submit Activity Saved Activities Advanced Search
  


add to saved activities



print this activity
 
Watching Your Weight - TI-83
 


Activity Overview

In this activity, students examine how moving a weight up along a board affects the downward force on the board. They explore how children with different weights can be balanced on a seesaw.

Before the Activity

  • Position the scale and the block far enough apart so that the wooden plank is supported on one end by the scale and the other end by the block
  • Starting at the edge of the scale, place marks at 10-cm increments on the wooden plank
  • 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 23 - 34 from the attached PDF file for your class

    		•

    		During the Activity

    		Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:
  • Place books at the 0 cm mark on the plank and record the weight
  • Move the books to the 10 cm mark and record the weight
  • Continue to move the books away from the scale in 10-cm increments and record weights
  • Enter the data of distance and weight as a list
  • Use this data to graph a scatter plot
  • Visually estimate the trend line and find the line that contains as many points as possible
  • Determine an equation for a trend line for the data, calculate the slope, and graph the trend line
  • Alternatively, find a linear regression equation for the data and graph the best fit line
  • Find the weight of objects placed at different distances from the scale
  • Find the distance from the scale given the object's weight shown on the scale

    		After the Activity

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

    Review student results:
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

    		Other Downloads




    view standards alignment
    view textbook alignment

    Subject Area:
    Math : Algebra I : Linear Equations and Functions
    Math : PreAlgebra : Linear 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 3 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Activities for Algebra with the TI-83 Plus.

    The following materials are required for this activity:

  • Scale
  • Wooden plank or meter stick
  • Books
  • Tape measure


    • Report an issue with this activity