NAME:______

Mathematical Modeling Project

1.  Decide on two variables that you think could be a linear functions. What are the two variables you chose? Why did you choose these two variables?

Here are a few of the many ideas you can choose.

a.  Examples: Height and weight of males

b.  Height and arm span

c.  Arm span and head size

d.  Jumping height vs. total height

e.  Runs scored of MLB teams vs. wins

f.  Errors of MLB teams vs. wins

g.  Weight of major league players vs. stolen bases

h.  Turnovers for NFL teams vs wins

i.  Pass attempts and interceptions

j.  Percent of homework completed vs. test score

k.  Age of car and price of a car

l.  Population of a state and car accidents in a state

m. NBA salaries and points per game

n.  Absenteeism and test scores

2.  Predict how you think the two variables will correlate. How will they affect each other, what will their relationship be.
Example: I think as the car’s age increases, the price of the car decreases. The relationship of the car’s age and price will be linear. The graph will be decreasing from left to right in a straight line.

3.  Gather data through a survey, experiment, or from the internet. Collect 10 to 20 data point.

4.  Create a scatter plot.

5.  Make a mathematical model for the line of the best fit.

6.  Find the residuals for the model you created. (show work)

7.  Based on the residuals do you think this is a good mathematical model for your data? Explain.

8.  Find the slope of your model. What is the real world meaning of the slope in this problem?

9.  What is the y-intercept? Does the y-intercept have a real world meaning in this example? Explain.

10. Write the equation for your mathematical model.

11. Make two predictions using your mathematical model. Explain or show works how you made these predictions.

GRADING RUBRIC

CATEGORY / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Neatness and Organization / The work is presented in a neat, clear, organized fashion that is easy to read. / The work is presented in a neat and organized fashion that is usually easy to read. / The work is presented in an organized fashion but may be hard to read at times. / The work appears sloppy and unorganized. It is hard to know what information goes together.
Mathematical Errors / 90-100% of the steps and solutions have no mathematical errors. / Almost all (85-89%) of the steps and solutions have no mathematical errors. / Most (75-84%) of the steps and solutions have no mathematical errors. / More than 75% of the steps and solutions have mathematical errors.
Explanation / Explanations are detailed and clear. / Explanations are clear. / Explanations are a little difficult to understand, but includes critical components. / Explanations are difficult to understand and is missing several components OR was not included.
Mathematical Concepts / Explanation shows complete understanding of the mathematical concepts used to solve the problem(s). / Explanation shows substantial understanding of the mathematical concepts used to solve the problem(s). / Explanation shows some understanding of the mathematical concepts needed to solve the problem(s). / Explanation shows very limited understanding of the underlying concepts needed to solve the problem(s) OR is not written.
Completion / All problems are completed. / All but one of the problems are completed. / All but two of the problems are completed. / Several of the problems are not completed.
Graphs / Graph is very neat, accurate and complete (scatter plot, line of best fit, axes labeled and numbered properly, and title on graph) / Graph is neat and accurate, almost complete / Graph is presentable and somewhat accurate and complete / Graph is sloppy with many mistakes and/or incomplete (missing scatter plot, line of best fit, title of graph axes not labeled and/or numbered)