Event Title
Poster: Shapes of Vases
Location
Moakley Atrium
Start Time
15-5-2013 4:00 PM
End Time
15-5-2013 5:00 PM
Description
“Slowly fill a vase with water. How fast is the depth of the water changing when you start? halfway? at the top?” This looks like a calculus question, but was presented as a hands-on experiment in our algebra classes. Our students gained a remarkably sophisticated understanding of rates of change and we came away with an interesting mathematical puzzle. This CARS exhibit describes that puzzle and offers all passers-by the opportunity to repeat our students’ experiments and explore rates of change for themselves.
Poster: Shapes of Vases
Moakley Atrium
“Slowly fill a vase with water. How fast is the depth of the water changing when you start? halfway? at the top?” This looks like a calculus question, but was presented as a hands-on experiment in our algebra classes. Our students gained a remarkably sophisticated understanding of rates of change and we came away with an interesting mathematical puzzle. This CARS exhibit describes that puzzle and offers all passers-by the opportunity to repeat our students’ experiments and explore rates of change for themselves.