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Calculus: Applications of the Derivative Classroom ActivitiesDownload
WALK_THIS_WAY_03

Walk This Way: Definition of Rate

In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to record distance and velocity versus time information for a walker. They find the area under the velocity versus time graph and compare it to the actual distance traveled by the walker.
  • TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
  • TI-84 Plus
Download5,001
velocity test 1

Velocity Test: Interpreting Velocity Graphs

In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to record the distance versus time data for the simple motion of a walker. They will calculate velocity from this graph and compare it with the velocity graph generated by the calculator.
  • TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
  • TI-84 Plus
Download4,966
bouncyball 3

Analysis of a Bouncing Ball

In this activity, students use the motion detector to collect data for a bouncing ball. They fit an equation to the data with a quadratic regression and use the first and second derivatives to analyze the graphs of velocity and acceleration as a function of time. They discover the connections between the graphs and the motion of the ball.
  • TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
  • TI-84 Plus
Download5,013
Back_and_Forth_7

Back and Forth---Analysis of Spring Motion

In this activity, students graph the motion of a mass moving back and forth on a spring. They examine the relationships between position, velocity, and acceleration. They connect mathematical relationships to real-world phenomena.
  • TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
  • TI-84 Plus
Download4,866
move my way 1

Move My Way--A CBR Analysis of Rates of Change

In this activity, students use the motion detector to collect position data and study the relationship between position and velocity. They explore the relationship between functions and their derivatives. Students learn to connect mathematical relationships to real-world phenomena.
  • TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
  • TI-84 Plus
Download4,676