Education Technology


Biggest Box

Activity Overview

A classic problem looking at maximizing volume by varying the height of a box. Uses graphing calculators to analyze data collected and to model a cubic equation. Look for points that maximize volume while developing a preliminary notion of families of cubics.

Before the Activity

If you are using the TI-Navigator System with the TI-73 you will need the attached .pdf file.
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity. Print student worksheet - BiggestBoxWksht.pdf

During the Activity

A classic problem looking at maximizing volume by varying the height of a box. Uses graphing calculators to analyze data collected and to model a cubic equation. Look for points that maximize volume while developing a preliminary notion of families of cubics.

After the Activity

Send students a Learning Check document as a post assessment for this activity