Synthesizing Patterns

Jaime Sanchez & Kimberly Ramirez

Linear
General Equation: y = mx + b
When x is doubled, the y variable doubles.
Example: Spaghetti Bridge Lab
Prediction Question: How many pennies does it take
to break 20 strands of spaghetti?
Research Question: How does the number of strands
of spaghetti affect the strength of the bridge?

Spaghetti Bridge Lab

Procedure:
First, we separated the tables, the
distance between the tables
being 5 inches. Then, we began
with 5 strands of spaghetti held
between the tables. The cup
underneath the spaghetti was
being filled with pennies, one by
one. Four trials were completed,
the strands of spaghetti
increasing each trial.

Equation: y = 2x + 0
Prediction: We predicted it would take 44
pennies to break 20 strands of spaghetti.

Quadratic
General Equation: y = ax^2 + bx + c
When x doubles, y quadruples.
Example: Pendulum Lab
Prediction Question: How long is the period of a 2
meter string?
Research Question: How does the length of the
pendulum affect its period?

Pendulum Lab
Procedure:
First we grabbed the materials:
the pendulum, string, and timer.
We tied the pendulum to the
string, then we held up the string
at 180 degrees (straight line).
Then, we let go of the string
while timing it at the same time.
The experiment was repeated
another 5 times.

Equation: y = 0.749x^2 + 0.225x +1.152

Prediction: We predicted that a pendulum
at 2 meters would have a period of 3.75- 4
seconds.

Inverse
General Equation: a/x
When x doubles, the y variable divides itself
by two.
Example: Paragraph Lab
Prediction Question: What will the height of the
following orally read paragraph be when printed
33.5cm wide?
Research Question: How does the width of the
paragraph affect its height?

Paragraph Lab
Procedure:
First, we got ahold of the ruler
needed to measure the paragraph
our pair was assigned. We then
collected the data, being the
height and width of the
paragraph. We repeated this a
total of 5 times. In the end we
collected the data and used it to
make a graph.
Equation: y=a/x
Prediction: We predicted the height of the paragraph
was about 2.5 inches and the width was about 5 inches.

Inverse Squared
General Equation: a/x^2
When x is doubled, the 'y' variable is divided
by 4.
Example: Paragraph Lab
Prediction Question: What size shadow will
this note card make when placed here?
Research Question: How does the distance a
note card is from a light source affect the size
of shadow it casts?

Shadow Lab
Procedure:
First, we assigned roles to each
student in the group; the time
keeper, index card holder,
flashlight holder and shadow
measurer. We then shine the
light on the wall, separated the
card from the wall by 2 ft. and
from the flashlight by 2 cm.
After, we measured the shadow
s length and width and
calculated the results.

Equation: 416.218/ 20^2

Prediction: We predicted the length was
about one foot & the width was 2 feet.