Education Technology


Slope Fields Forever

Activity Overview

Students explore particular solutions to a differential equation for different initial conditions and then match differential equations to their slope fields.

Key Steps

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    In Part 1, students will explore particular solutions to a differential equation for different initial conditions. Slope fields are investigated. Students are asked to describe their observations.

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    In the DE matching activity students will use the strategies they have developed from the first part of the activity to identify the slope field that corresponds to a differential equation.

    The teacher document contains a list of five strategies that can be used to reinforce what students have discovered. These strategies should be discussed with students before they complete the matching activity.

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    The file dematch.89t should be run upon completion of the matching activity so that students can check their solutions.