Activity Overview
In this activity students learn to use estimation to determine the number of candies in various size cylinders. They compare estimated numbers to actual numbers and investigate the relationship between the two numbers.
Before the Activity
Link calculators using TI Connect™, a TI Connectivity Cable, and the Unit-to-Unit Link Cable
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 1 - 7 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Estimate the number of candies in each vial
Count the actual number of candies in each vial
Enter the data of the estimated value and the actual value of candies for each vial
Find the difference between estimated and actual numbers of candies for each vial
Calculate the mean of the diference between actual and exact numbers and determine the average number by which the estimate was off
Find the percentage by which estimate was off for each vial and find the mean of this data
Enter the averages of the number by which the estimate was off for the entire class
Sort them in ascending order
Find the mean, median and mode for the averages
Set up a statistics plot and create a box-and-wiskers plot
Compare the estimated numbers to the actual numbers using a scatter plot
Manually fit the data to a straight line and find the equation of the line
Compare the plots of the lowest average value and the highest average value
After the Activity
Students will complete the Worksheet and analyze the results.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary