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This lab is designed to allow students to collect data whose model
will be (or should be) a linear regression. The lab requires
minimal set up time and supplies. Depending upon your
supplies, students may work alone or in pairs or groups. |
(This activity is
adapted from a TFAS (Technology for All Students) TI training group
session.)
Supplies: 10 pennies for each
lab group, one ruler, and a desk top
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Note:
I save the tubs from mini M&M's (which are used in other
experiments) and fill them up with pennies. The tubs easily hold
50 pennies. I then have pennies available for future experiments
in easily handled canisters. Film canisters also work well.
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Directions:
1. Place the ruler on the edge of a desk with the end marked 0
extending over the edge of the desk. The readings will be in
centimeters.
2. Place one penny on the
end of the ruler that is extending out past the desk.
| 3. Use a pencil to gently push
the ruler toward the end of the desk until it starts to tip. |
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| 4. Record the length the ruler
extends over the edge of the desk at the tipping point. |
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5. Repeat the process using from
2 through 10 pennies.
6. Enter the
data into a graphing calculator. On the TI-83+, enter the number of pennies in list
L1 and the length at tipping in L2.
7. Prepare a
scatter plot of the data and indicate the shape of the plot.
8. A series of
questions are then asked regarding the findings. A lab worksheet can be downloaded (.pdf format) below.
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