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This Unstable Table activity also includes:
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Bothered by a wobbly table? Learn how to fix this problem using concepts of slope and continuity. Pupils first consider the problem in two dimensions and then progress to three dimensions. The solution is really quite simple.
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CCSS:
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Instructional Ideas
- Allow class members to work with a partner for this activity
Classroom Considerations
- Knowledge of continuity is a prerequisite for the lesson
- The Intermediate Value Theorem is used in some questions, so the lesson may be more appropriate for a calculus-level class
Pros
- The context is one that is familiar to all students
- Using miniature furniture allows students to test their hypotheses before delving into the mathematics
Cons
- The lesson is indicated as being aligned to a number of Common Core standards, but it does not explicitly teach or cover these standards