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Activities

Old MacDonald's Pigpen

Author
Texas Instruments
Alignment
Standards Alignment
Textbook Alignment
Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Quadratic Functions
Math: Precalculus: Functions and Graphs
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
Software
TI Connect™
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Applications
Other Materials
This is Activity 2 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
EasyData Activities: Modeling Algebraic Functions with Data Collection Activities.

Resource Types
Lessons
Report an Issue

Old MacDonald's Pigpen

Activity Overview

Students solve a standard maximum value problem using the calculator. Students help Old MacDonald build a rectangular pigpen with 40 m fencing that provides maximum area for the pigs. They graph scatter plots, analyze quadratic functions, and find maximum value of a parabola.

Before the Activity

  • Use TI Connect™ to download
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 7 - 13 from the attached PDF file for the class
  • Set up the calculator for data collection

    • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Using the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle, determine the formula for length in terms of the perimeter and width
  • Enter widths and corresponding lengths as lists
  • Create separate lists for the area corresponding to each width
  • Ensure that the perimeter does not exceed the pre-defined value
  • Plot width and area data
  • Recognize the fact that width is the independent variable and area is the dependent variable
  • Understand that area is a function of width
  • Trace the graph and observe that the points are in the shape of a parabola
  • Perform a quadratic regression and find the equation of the curve
  • Use the calculator to find the maximum width needed to form a rectangle with the maximum area
  • Calculate the maximum area
  • Realize that when length is expressed in terms of width, the equation to find the area is quadratic

    • After the Activity

  • Students analyze the results and answer the case analysis questions on the student worksheet
  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary

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    Download Files
    Before the Activity Files
    Teacher Notes Appendix PDF Teacher Notes PDF EasyData_Act02_L_1_.8xl EasyData_Act02_L_2_.8xl EasyData_Act02_L_3_.8xl EasyData_Act02_L_4_.8xl
    Author
    Texas Instruments
    Alignment
    Standards Alignment
    Textbook Alignment
    Subject Area
    Math: Algebra I: Quadratic Functions
    Math: Precalculus: Functions and Graphs
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    Software
    TI Connect™
    TI Calculator
    TI-84 series
    Applications
    Other Materials
    This is Activity 2 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    EasyData Activities: Modeling Algebraic Functions with Data Collection Activities.

    Resource Types
    Lessons
    Report an Issue
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