Education Technology

M&M's and Decay Graphs

Author
Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
1 Days
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Other Materials
  • 2 - 1lb bags of M&M's (plain) for each class
  • Small cups
  • Graphing calculators
  • Worksheet
  • TI-Navigator™
  • Teacher computer
Resource Types
Lessons

M&M's and Decay Graphs

Activity Overview

Student will use M&M to create a decay graph and then write the equation that fits it.

Before the Activity

To do this activity in one class period, students would need to be familiar with TI-Navigator already and be able to login quickly.

During the Activity

Students will run the lab (see the attachment). When students have the data loaded into the calculator in L1 and L2, collect their lists and compile them with TI-Navigator. Send the compiled list back to them for whole class data.

After the Activity

Use Activity Center in TI-Navigator to display the class data. Have students submit equations that "fit" the curve.
Discuss why one fits better than another.

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Author
Subject Area
Math: Precalculus: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
1 Days
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Other Materials
  • 2 - 1lb bags of M&M's (plain) for each class
  • Small cups
  • Graphing calculators
  • Worksheet
  • TI-Navigator™
  • Teacher computer
Resource Types
Lessons
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