Activity Overview
In this activity, students use the TI InterActive!™ to model exponential growth and decay.
Before the Activity
Install the TI InterActive!™ on the computer
See the attached activity PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 1 - 4 from the attached activity PDF file for the class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Place 4 M&Ms in a plastic cup
Shake the cup and pour the M&Ms on the table
Record the number of M&Ms which show the M mark
Add a new M&M for each one with an M showing
Using the new total of M&Ms each time, repeat the procedure 5 more times
Record the data
Prepare a Number of M&Ms versus Number of Trial scatter plot
Use the Statistical regressions feature to find an exponential function which fits the data
Write the equation and graph it in the same plane
Insert a Table and use it to predict the number of M&Ms for a given trial
Determine the number of trials needed to have a certain number of M&Ms
Set up and solve two simultaneous equations in the standard exponential equation form
Compare the results
Place around 80 M&Ms in a plastic cup
Shake the cup and pour the M&Ms on the table
Remove the M&Ms which show the M mark
Using the remaining M&Ms, repeat the procedure
Create a scatter plot of M&M versus Trial
Use the statistical regressions feature to find an exponential function which fits the data
Explain the coefficients in the general equation
After the Activity
Students answer questions on the activity page.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary