Education Technology

Visualizing Vectors

Subject Area
Math: Geometry: Vectors
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
Software
TI Connect™
TI Calculator
TI-84 series
Other Materials
This is Activity 8 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
Exploring Mathematics with the CellSheet™ Application
Resource Types
Lessons

Visualizing Vectors

Activity Overview

In this activity, students use the CellSheet™ Application to graph vectors. They also learn to find the sum of two vectors.

Before the Activity

  • Install the CellSheet on the calculator using the TI Connect™, TI-Connectivity cable, and Unit to Unit cables
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 75 - 84 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Open the CellSheet Application on the calculator and start a new spreadsheet
  • Convert the polar coordinates of the two vectors to the x and y vector coordinates
  • Graph the vectors
  • Write the two vectors in their rectangular form in terms of x and y
  • Add the two ordered pairs to obtain the sum
  • Graph the resultant vector
  • Connect the end points of the vectors and the resultant
  • Observe the resultant vector is the diagonal of the parallelogram having sides defined by the magnitude and direction of the 2 vectors
  • After the Activity

    Students will complete the worksheet 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: Geometry: Vectors
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    Software
    TI Connect™
    TI Calculator
    TI-84 series
    Other Materials
    This is Activity 8 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Exploring Mathematics with the CellSheet™ Application
    Resource Types
    Lessons
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