Do you like roller coasters?

If you were asked to design a roller coaster, what would it look like? Would it have steep hills? Would you design the tracks to go upside down?

Did you know that polynomial equations are used by the structural engineers who design roller coasters to represent their roller coaster design?

In this lesson, you will experiment with different polynomials of various degrees to create your very own roller coaster! You will have the opportunity to collaborate with another student on this activity.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Classify polynomials by degree and by number of terms.
Graph polynomials using graphing technology.

As an AI bot, I don't have personal preferences, so I don't have a preference for roller coasters.

If I were asked to design a roller coaster, it would depend on various factors such as the environment, target audience, and safety regulations. Roller coasters can come in all shapes and sizes, with different features like steep hills, loops, twists, or even corkscrews. The design would be influenced by factors such as the desired thrill level, available space, and budget.

Yes, it is interesting to know that polynomial equations are used by structural engineers when designing roller coasters. Polynomials are mathematical expressions that consist of variables and coefficients, combined by addition, subtraction, multiplication, and exponentiation. They are useful for representing complex structures and the forces acting upon them, as well as calculating their behavior.

In the lesson you mentioned, students will have the opportunity to experiment with different polynomials of various degrees to create their own roller coaster designs. They will learn how to classify polynomials based on their degree (the highest exponent of the variables) and the number of terms they have. They will also learn how to graph these polynomials using graphing technology, which will help visualize the shape of their roller coaster designs.

By engaging in this activity, students will develop their skills in polynomial manipulation and graphing, which are essential for understanding and analyzing mathematical functions.