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Activities

Pass the Ball

Author
Texas Instruments
Alignment
Standards Alignment
Textbook Alignment
Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Linear Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
Software
TI Connect™
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Applications
Other Materials
    This is Activity 1 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    EasyData Activities: Modeling Algebraic Functions with Data Collection Activities.

    The following materials are required for this activity:
  • Stopwatch
  • Small bouncing ball (tennis/racquet balls)
Resource Types
Lessons
Report an Issue

Pass the Ball

Activity Overview

Students use mathematics to examine patterns that occur in a specific scenario and predict future events for the scenario.
Data is collected on the time it takes to pass a ball. The students plot graphs, fit the data with a function rule, analyze proportional relationships, and make predictions.

Before the Activity

  • Use TI Connect™ to download Vernier EasyData™ application
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 1 - 5 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:

  • Have four students stand in a circle
  • Each students bounces the ball, catches it, and passes it to the next student
  • Continue passing the ball until it is back to the person who started
  • Determine the time it takes to complete one cycle
  • Record three trials and find out the average time
  • Collect data using five different sets of students
  • Enter the data (number of students in a group, and the time they took to pass the ball) as lists
  • Create a scatter plot
  • Perform a linear regression to fit the data with a function rule
  • Find the equation of the line of best fit, and calculate he slope
  • Estimate the time it would take the entire class to complete the activity and compare it to the actual time taken


  • Repeat the entire process of passing the ball, without bouncing it
  • Find the line of best fit
  • Find the approximate time the entire class would take to pass the ball

    • 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
    EasyData_Act01.pdf EasyData_Appendices.pdf EasyData_Act01_L_1_.8xl EasyData_Act01_L_2_.8xl
    Author
    Texas Instruments
    Alignment
    Standards Alignment
    Textbook Alignment
    Subject Area
    Math: Algebra I: Linear Functions
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    Software
    TI Connect™
    TI Calculator
    TI-84 series
    Applications
    Other Materials
      This is Activity 1 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
      EasyData Activities: Modeling Algebraic Functions with Data Collection Activities.

      The following materials are required for this activity:
    • Stopwatch
    • Small bouncing ball (tennis/racquet balls)
    Resource Types
    Lessons
    Report an Issue
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    Vernier EasyData,Vernier EasyLink and Vernier EasyTemp are registered trademarks of Vernier Science Education.
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