Using Real Data to Learn Algebra

Concrete Experience Abstract Ideas

Distributive Property Lab

CPO Lever Equipment

Tyner Academy Students

How can we represent this balanced system?

Write a mathematical representation for this.

What mathematical operation will make the numbers on the left equal

the numbers on the right?

(200)(30) = (10)(600)

Put three marbles in a baggie.

Represent the baggie as a parenthesis.

Represent each marble as “x”.

(14 X)

Hang a 200 g mass on the left arm.

Balance it with a bag of marbles.

Write the equation.

Solve for X.

So how did they do?

Learning goes through stages. This is fun!!! Now what are we supposed to do? I’m lost This is stupid!!We stop and and refocus.

What do we know now?

More Group Work

Individual Work

200 gram mass 13 marbles

Chappell

I see a bag hanging down from a bar.The string is hanging at 18.

10*200 x 13X = 26000x

10*200

2000 = 13X13 = 13

200 grammass

13 marbles

Jamel

(200)(10) = (18) + 13 X

200 grammass

13 marbles

Duree

(200)(10) = (18)(13 X)2000 234

200 grammass

13 marbles

Duree

(200)(10) = (18)(13 X)2000 234X

234 = 234

200 grammass

13 marbles

Duree

(200)(10) = (18)(13 X)8.55 = X

Kim

400 grams 200 grams and 6 marbles

(400)(19) = (30)(25 + 6x)

7600 = 6000 + 180 X6000 = 6000

1600 = 180 X

Kim

400 grams 200 grams and 6 marbles

1600 = 180X180 = 180

8.89 = X

Students learn to: Set up a data table Enter the data Make a scatter plot Associate the data table with the graph Draw a best-fit curve Identify the x,y coordinates

Pendulum Lab Length (cm) Period (sec)

1 2.05 4.5

10 6.315 7.820 9.025 10.030 11.035 11.940 12.745 13.550 14.255 14.9

Pendulum

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Length (cm)

Per

iod

(se

c)

Students learn to: Calculate slope Associate meaning with slope y = mx force = acceleration * mass mass = density * volume

Gather DataAsk “How can we represent this?” Plot the Data Write the Mathematical RepresentationTalk About the System

Look for opportunities to: