Lesson 7: Are You Improving?

Students run a simulation of how a fire will spread through a stand of trees, learning about probability and chaos. Parameters: Forest density, wind direction, size of forest.

Audiences: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Undergraduate

Primary Subjects: Discrete, Fractions, Modeling, Probability

Related Topics: agent modeling, chaos, conditional probability, experimental probability, iteration, percentages, percents, probability simulation, proportion, simulation, skewed distribution, variance

Enter a set of data points, then derive a function to fit those points. Manipulate the function on a coordinate plane using slider bars. Learn how each constant and coefficient affects the resulting graph.

Audiences: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Undergraduate

Primary Subjects: Algebra, Graphs, Modeling, Statistics, Trigonometry

Related Topics: algebra, cartesian coordinate, coordinate, coordinate plane, coordinate system, cosecant, cosine, cotangent, curve fitting, data plot, deviations, exponential, exponents, function properties, functions, graph, grouping, integers, intervals, inverse, linear equations, linear functions, logarithm, multiplication, parabola, polynomial, positive part of the operand, pre-calculus, range, secant, sine, slope, tangent, trigonometry

A more advanced version of Slope Slider, this activity allows the manipulation of the constants and coefficients in any function thereby encouraging the user to explore the effects on the graph of the function by changing those numbers.

Audiences: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Undergraduate

Primary Subjects: Algebra, Calculus, Graphs, Trigonometry

Related Topics: algebra, bell curve, calculus, cartesian coordinate, coordinate plane, coordinate system, cosine, decimals, exponential, flyer, function properties, functions, graph, intervals, inverse, linear equations, linear functions, lines, logarithm, parabola, polynomial, pre-calculus, range, sine, slope, tangent, translation, trigonometry

Plot ordered pairs on the graph, and they will be connected in the order that they are input. This enables you to decide how the pairs should be connected, rather than having the computer connect them from left to right.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Algebra, Geometry, Graphs, Statistics

Related Topics: cartesian coordinate, coordinate, coordinate plane, coordinate system, data plot, graph, lines, vertical line test

Experiment with a simple ecosystem consisting of grass, rabbits, and wolves, learning about probabilities, chaos, and simulation.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Calculus, Graphs, Modeling, Probability, Statistics

Related Topics: agent modeling, calculus, chaos, graph, iteration, pattern, predator-prey, probability simulation, random number, simulation, statistics

Plot ordered pairs of numbers, either as a scatter plot or with the dots connected. Points are connected from right to left, rather than being connected in the order they are entered.

Audiences: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Primary Subjects: Algebra, Geometry, Graphs, Statistics

Related Topics: cartesian coordinate, coordinate plane, coordinate system, data plot, decimals, graph