Radford University
AFDA Probability and Law of Large Numbers
The more trials scholars perform, the closer they'll likely be to the true value. After designing a probability experiment, young mathematicians conduct the experiment for five different numbers of trials. They then analyze the results,...
Radford University
Modeling Statistical Data
Can people predict the number of future divorces? Scholars research and analyze data on the number of divorces and teenage pregnancies in Virginia over time. They use the data to create graphs, determine the best-fit equations, and make...
Radford University
Shuffle or Nano?
Mix up your teaching playlist with a performance-based assessment task. Given iPod sales data for several years, scholars create a scatter plot and perform regression analysis. They determine the best fit curve for different domains.
Radford University
Is Fall Normal?
Fine the normality of fall measurements. Pairs collect measurements of fall leaves and one other fall object. Using the measurements, the groups determine the descriptive statistics for the object and using the Empirical Rule, figure out...
Radford University
Is it Really a Small World After All?
Working in groups, learners research four countries' populations over the past 30 years. Using the data collected, the teams find regression equations that best fit the data. Taking the regression equations, they then make predictions...
Radford University
Pizza, Pizza!
Ponder the problem of pizza prices. Pupils use provided information about two different pricing schedules for pizza. They create tables of values and functions to represent the pricing schemes, consider domain restrictions, and identify...
Radford University
Super Survey!
Here's a super survey on supermarket products. An interactive lesson has classmates design and conduct surveys on a product of interest. They analyze the data, choose a data display method, and present their findings to the class.
Radford University
Real World Data
Make math class feel more real by using real-world data. Scholars research or collect data on several different topics, such as nutrition, the motion of moving objects, cooling curves, and daylight hours. They create scatter plots using...
Radford University
Marketing Mayhem: Advertising for Adolescents
You'll be sold on using the resource. Future consumers first conduct a sample survey on marketing strategies. They then consider how mass media influences their age groups and create presentations to display their findings.
Radford University
How Normal Are You?
It's completely normal to learn about normal distributions. An engaging lesson has young statisticians collect and analyze data about their classmates as well as players on the school's football team. They determine whether each set of...
Radford University
How Is Your Gender Represented?
Does the media shape people's views on gender? Scholars use data on gender portrayal in magazines to explore the idea. They use a spreadsheet program to create bar graphs and perform a chi-square test. They also use provided data to...
Radford University
SAT and ACT – How Equitable Are They?
Test the test takers' knowledge of statistics about data from the SAT and ACT tests. Future collegians explore the idea of gender and racial bias in high-stakes college admissions exams. They analyze historical data on average scores by...
Radford University
Let's Buy a Car
Ready to buy a car? Learners research different makes and models of cars to decide on the best one to buy. They collect data on cost, fuel efficiency, safety ratings, and insurance costs, then create and analyze data displays to make...
Radford University
Understanding Local Economic Issues Using Statistics
A good understanding of local economics requires a lot of data. Scholars design and conduct an experimental survey to collect information about economic issues affecting their regions. They analyze their findings and prepare a...
Radford University
Environmental Issues
Pupils investigate the air pollution situation in China by fitting a curve to historical data. They dig deeper into environmental issues that are of interest and provide a mathematical analysis of the issue. Class members develop a route...
Radford University
Feeding the World
Using technology, pupils find an exponential function to model the population growth of the US. With more information, learners derive the population growth formula for the world. Ultimately, they determine the amount of protein needed...
Radford University
Surviving the Month
Pupils create budgets based upon family expenditures. They determine what the monthly payments will be for buying a car and a house based on compound interest for the total amount.
Radford University
Corn and Popcorn
Have a popping good time. Using probability and statistics skills, learners determine which type of popcorn to buy based on the percentage of kernels popped. After analyzing corn and popcorn sales to make a prediction of future sales,...
Radford University
The Science of Surveys
To drill or not to drill? An informative unit has scholars first research the advantages and disadvantages of oil drilling in Alaska. They set up and conduct a sample survey to assess attitudes toward oil drilling in a specific...
Radford University
What Is Normal?
Are you taller than a Major League Baseball player? Future mathematicians learn about normal distributions, percentiles, z-scores, and areas under a normal curve. They use the concepts to analyze height data of Major League Baseball...
Radford University
Danger! – An Analysis of the Death Toll of Natural Disasters
Decipher the danger of natural disasters. Using researched data, scholars work in groups to create data displays on the number of deaths from different types of natural disasters. They share their graphical representations with the class...
Radford University
Mathematical Modeling: Lessons 2-3
Not all functions are created equal. Pupils apply regression analysis using polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions to investigate the relationship between variables and to decide which function would be best to model the...
Radford University
Mathematical Modeling: Lesson 1
Will more deer result in more big game licenses? Scholars first research data on the number of deer and the number of big game licenses in Virginia between 1990 to 2009. They apply polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic regression to...
Radford University
Are Kitchen Cabinets at the Correct Height? Lesson 6
Don't hit your head on the kitchen cabinet. Using previously collected female height data, scholars apply confidence intervals and tests of significance to perform a data analysis. They connect the data to the height
of kitchen cabinets...