Electronic Proceedings of the Twenty-eighth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics

Atlanta, Georgia, March 10-13, 2016

Paper A036

This is an electronic reprint, reproduced by permission of Pearson Education Inc. Originally appeared in the Proceedings of the Twenty-eighth Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, ISBN 013480029X, Copyright (C) 2017 by Pearson Education, Inc.


Multivariable Spreadsheet Modeling and Scientific Thinking via Stacking Bricks

Scott A. Sinex


Prince George's Community College


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ABSTRACT

Students measure the height of a variety of stacks of bricks and construct a mathematical model via a spreadsheet using linear regression. They predict the height of a 100 bricks. Then they go outside and measure brick heights in a real brick wall. Students quickly discover that mortar in between the brick is going to modify their model. They take measurements of bricks plus mortar and produce a second or revised model. Students compare models, consider random and systematic errors using a prebuilt spreadsheet simulation, and then develop a model to count the number of bricks in a specified area of a wall (and can verify). From multiple measurements of bricks and mortar joints in a brick wall, students can get a feel for real variation. In the end, a multivariable model is developed and explored as an interactive spreadsheet simulation. A version using Lego bricks and plates (mortar) is also considered.

Keyword(s): applications, modeling, spreadsheets