The World According to Pi:A Mission for Truth

The World According to Pi:A Mission for TruthAre their naturally occurring patterns in circular objects?

Has this phenomenon existed undetected for thousands of years?

Are we being told everything about Pi?

This is your mission!

Mission OverviewYou have been selected to explore the origins of the mathematical constant Pi () and discover its true meaning. For centuries, Mathematicians were aware of its presence.

Now, youll be part of an exploratory team that will either prove or disprove the existence of the world according to Pi.Mission RequirementsWithin your mission, you will accomplish three important tasks:Explore the true meaning of Pi.Using primitive tools of the ancients, approximate the value of Pi.Construct a detailed brief reporting your findings.

Explore the Meaning of PiClick on the following links provided by secret operatives concerning the origins of pi.

http://library.thinkquest.org/C0110195/history/history.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi

http://www.math.com/tables/constants/pi.htmExplore the Meaning of PiLook to answer the following questions to be placed in your brief.

When was Pi discovered?

Who discovered Pi?

What does Pi represent and how is it useful today?

What is the greatest number of digits of pi calculated by a human and by a computer?Approximating the Value of PiRead the uncovered intelligence regarding the specifics of a circle.

Find five (5) circular objects in the classroom. Using a piece of string 48 long and a ruler or yard stick, measure the circumference and diameter of each object. Construct the chart below in a WORD document to record your findings. Then compute the ratio of each objects circumference (C) to its diameter (d).

ObjectCircumference (C)Diameter (d)Ratio of C dApproximating the Value of PiReporting ConclusionsYou have finished the investigation of Pi and now it is time to report all of your findings. Start by opening a WORD document and saving it as PiData_. In the report you must include answers to: the information requests your findings in approximating piyour personal insight into the knowledge you have gained about pi

Mission GradingThe grading of each part of your mission totals a possible (75) points:Exploring the meaning of Pi (25 pts)Approximating the value of Pi (25 pts)Constructing a detailed brief (25 pts)

Mission Grading RubricMeaning of Pi

Exceeds Standards(25 pts)Meets Standards(20 pts)Does Not Meet Standards(15 pts)Included clip art/drawings, charts, etc.Placed findings in a WORD documentDid not create a word documentProvided information from other resourcesProvided information from all three (3) online resources provided

Did not use information from all three (3) online resourcesIncluded thoughts, ideas, information beyond the questions askedAnswered all (4) information requestsDid not answer all four (4) information requestsEnhanced by visuals or demonstrationsUses accurate informationInaccurate informationContained no grammatical errors

Contained errorsOrganized findings in the brief in a logical briefing format

Does not flow in a logical mannerMission Grading RubricApproximating Pi

Exceeds Standards(25 pts)Meets Standards(20 pts)Does Not Meet Standards(15 pts)Included clip art/drawings, charts, etc.Placed findings in a WORD documentDid not create a word documentProvided information from other objectsUsed five (5) circular objects

Did not measure the circumference and diameter of all five (5) objects and computed ratios

Included thoughts, ideas, information beyond the questions askedFound the circumference for all five (5) objects

Did not find the circumference for all five (5) objectsEnhanced by visuals or demonstrationsFound the diameter for all five (5) objects

Did not find the diameter for all five (5) objectsCalculated the ratios for all five (5) objectsDid not calculate the ratios for all five (5) objectsOrganized findings in the brief in a logical briefing format

Does not flow in a logical manner

Mission Grading RubricConstructing a Detailed Brief

Exceeds Standards(25 pts)Meets Standards(20 pts)Does Not Meet Standards(15 pts)Included clip art/drawings, charts, etc.Placed findings in a WORD documentDid not create a word documentProvided information from other objectsIncluded relevant material for all information requests

Used material not related to the topic

Included thoughts, ideas, information beyond the questions askedExplained information gathered during approximating pi

Did not explain information gathered during approximating piEnhanced by visuals or demonstrationsExplained information gathered during discovering a relationship

Did not explain information gathered during discovering a relationshipIncluded personal insight into the knowledge gained concerning piDid not include personal insightOrganized findings in the brief in a logical briefing format

Does not flow in a logical manner

Mission ExtensionClick on these links to explore other missions related to learning about Pi:http://www.apfloat.org/apfloat_java/applet/pi.htmlhttp://www.math.utah.edu/~alfeld/Archimedes/Archimedes.htmlhttp://www.angelfire.com/wa/hurben/buff.html

Standards0806.1.8 Use technologies and manipulative appropriately to develop understanding of mathematical algorithms, to facilitate problem-solving, and to create accurate and reliable models of mathematical concepts.0806.4.3 Understand the necessary levels of accuracy and precision in measurement.

Teacher NotesThe goal of this Web Quest has two main purposes:One is to provide an interesting and interactive way for students to learn about pi while discovering the methods used to approximate its value.The second is to incorporate the use of word documents to organize and present data in a briefing format.

ReferencesApple Pi Activity- http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L573