Do bigger sails mean that the sailboat goes faster? Middle and high schoolers compare sailboats, and learn that simply calculating sail area is not enough. A slideshow presentation demonstrates how to calculate the Sail Area to Displacement Ratio in order to compare the potential speed of sailboats. 

Concepts

sailing, area, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• For more accurate sail area calculations, use the formulas provided in the supplemental resource
• Use a spreadsheet program to set up formulas to do the calculations

Classroom Considerations

• Lower grade classes should use a scientific calculator in order to calculate the Sail Area to Displacement Ratio
• The sixth lesson in a seven-part series

Pros

• The handouts provide opportunities for pupils to practice the calculations

Cons

• The handout does not come with an answer key

Common Core

HSN-RN.A.1 HSN-Q.A.3 MP6