Education Technology

Cricket Thermometers

Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Linear Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Other Materials
    This is Activity 1 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Activities for Algebra with the TI-83 Plus.

    The following materials are required for this activity:
  • Cassette player
  • Tape of crickets chirping
Resource Types
Lessons

Cricket Thermometers

Activity Overview

In this activity, students investigate the relationship between temperature and number of cricket chirps. They learn to find the other value of a function when given one value of a function. Students use linear regression and plot a set of ordered pairs.

Before the Activity

  • 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 1 - 9 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Listen to the chirping, for each temperature record the number of chirps heard in a 15-second time period
  • Enter the temperature and the chirps per minute data using lists
  • Set the X and Y extremes and create a scatter plot
  • Perform a linear regression and study its graph
  • Enter the number of chirps per minute for the unknown
  • Examine the graph and record the intersection point of the two lines
  • The X value of the point of intersection is the temperature of the habitat where the unknown cricket was chirping
  • After the Activity

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

    Review student results:

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary
  • Subject Area
    Math: Algebra I: Linear Functions
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-84 series
    Other Materials
      This is Activity 1 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
      Activities for Algebra with the TI-83 Plus.

      The following materials are required for this activity:
    • Cassette player
    • Tape of crickets chirping
    Resource Types
    Lessons
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