Conduct an Experiment
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A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Mathematics
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In this lesson, one of a four-part unit from Illuminations titled “Whelk-Come to Mathematics: Using Rational Functions to Investigate the Behavior of Northwestern Crows,” students use rational functions to investigate the feeding behavior of Northwestern Crows.
Biologists have observed that northwestern crows consistently drop a type of mollusk called a whelk from a mean height of about 5 meters. Students investigate whether the crows minimize their work by dropping whelks as they do. The amount of work depends upon the height of the drop and the number of times the crow has to fly to this height. To answer the question, students explore the relationship between the height of the drop and the number of drops needed.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
