Quick Look
Grade Level: 11 (9-12)
Time Required: 45 minutes
Expendable Cost/Group: US $0.00 This activity requires the use of non-expendable (reusable) graphing calculators, one per student.
Group Size: 1
Activity Dependency:
Subject Areas: Algebra
Quick Look 
Summary
Students complete an exercise showing logarithmic relationships and examine how to find the linear regression of data that does not seem linear upon initial examination. They relate number of BMD scanners to time.Engineering Connection
Rarely in the real world does data collected by scientists and engineers fit an exact equation. Finding the equation of the line that fits the data best is a large part of what all engineers do when they collect and analyze data. In this activity, students practice this skill, especially as it involves using natural logarithms.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Use the linear regression function on a graphing calculator.
- Explain how the natural logarithm can be used to linearize data.
Educational Standards
Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science,
technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.
All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN),
a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).
In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics;
within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.
Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.
All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).
In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.
Common Core State Standards - Math
-
Fit a function to the data; use functions fitted to data to solve problems in the context of the data.
(Grades
9 -
12)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
-
(+) Understand the inverse relationship between exponents and logarithms and use this relationship to solve problems involving logarithms and exponents.
(Grades
9 -
12)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology
-
Analyze how technology transfer occurs when a user applies an existing innovation developed for one function to a different purpose.
(Grades
9 -
12)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
State Standards
Tennessee - Math
-
(+) Understand the inverse relationship between exponents and logarithms and use this relationship to solve problems involving logarithms and exponents.
(Grades
9 -
12)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
-
Fit a function to the data; use functions fitted to data to solve problems in the context of the data.
(Grades
9 -
12)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
Tennessee - Science
-
Scientific Research
(Grades
9 -
12)
More Details
Do you agree with this alignment?
Materials List
Each student needs:
- Linear Regression Activity Worksheet
- Graphing Calculator Instructions, if needed
- graphing calculator
Worksheets and Attachments
Visit [www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/van_bmd_activity2] to print or download.Pre-Req Knowledge
Students must be comfortable using graphing calculators (though detailed instructions are included). Students must also be familiar with linear graphing.
Introduction/Motivation
Now that we have learned the basics of natural logarithms, let's do a real-world activity that uses natural logarithms. What you are going to do with the provided data is something that many engineers do all the time. All types of engineers use natural logarithms to analyze data and you will be doing just the very basics of this type of data analysis.
Procedure
Before the Activity
Make copies of the worksheet (and calculator instructions, if needed).
With the Students
Hand out the worksheets and explain the activity. This worksheet asks students to do a series of exercises with a graphing calculator. If students are familiar enough with graphing, they can do it on their own. If not, provide them with the detailed instructions on how to complete the graphing exercise. Note that one step in the instructions asks students to show their graphs to the teacher to check that they understand how to create a graph before moving to the next step.
Assessment
Activity Embedded Assessment
Graphing Checkpoint: If students use the graphing calculator instructions, there is a checkpoint where the teacher can see if they understand how to correctly graph.
Post-Activity Assessment
Activity Worksheet: Collect and grade the activity worksheet for completion and accuracy. Review their data, graph, answers and work to gauge their mastery of the subject.
Activity Scaling
- For lower grades, provide the graphing calculator instructions.
- For upper grades, do not provide the graphing calculator instructions.
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Copyright
© 2013 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original © 2006 Vanderbilt UniversityContributors
Kristyn Shaffer; Megan JohnstonSupporting Program
VU Bioengineering RET Program, School of Engineering, Vanderbilt UniversityAcknowledgements
The contents of this digital library curriculum were developed under National Science Foundation RET grant nos. 0338092 and 0742871. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the NSF, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Last modified: June 21, 2018
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