text: # Earth Algebra
  
  ```Dr. E and Jessica Edens
  7/9/03
  Earth Algebra Temperature Activity
  1. What kind of function would most accurately describe temperature during
  the months from April through September?
  The function would be a quadratic because the temperature increases and
  then decreases over this period of time.
  2. Would the function be different for different parts of the world?
  Yes, because there are parts of the world whose temperature does not
  change the same rate as other parts (i.e. equator). For example, at the
  equator the function would be flatter because the temperature remains about
  the same. In contrast, in Australia the temperatures alter between cold and
  hot; therefore, the function would go up and down. Comparing US to
  Australia, it would be a reflection of Australia’s quadratic.
  3. What function would accurately describe temperature over only one day?
  Here in the US, over one day, the function would look quadratic because our
  day changes temperature through the course of 24 hours. Early in the
  morning the temperature is low (about 70 degrees in the summer), then
  increases throughout the day, peaks, then decreases throughout the evening.
  4. Why is it important to know about the average temperatures over a period
  of time?
  It is important to know for agricultural purposes, habitat, decisions on where
  to live, kinds of houses including air conditioning needs, etc. Also, to observe
  any changes over a period of time is critical in order to measure impacts on
  the environment, such as global warming.
  5. How does temperature affect precipitation?
  The colder the temperature the more frozen the precipitation. As
  temperatures increase, precipitation increases. However, if the temperature is
  too hot, precipitation decreases.
  1. Make points from the average temperature data provided; the first
  coordinate will be the mid-point of the month and the second coordinate will
  be the average temperature for that month. Plot these points on the applet
  screen.
  2. Use regression to fit the given data with a quadratic function A(t). Graph
  the function showing an appropriate domain and range. Use this function to
  answer the remaining questions.
  The function reads as follows: f(t) = -3.456t2 + 46.871t - 99.938
  3. What will the average temperature be on May 15? On August 15? On April 6?
  On September 21?
  May 15: 41
  f(4.5) = 40.9975
  August 15: 57
  f(7.5) = 57.19
  April 6: 15
  f(3.2) = 14.6
  September 21: 46
  f(8.7) = 46.255
  4. When will the daily average temperature be 50 degrees? When will it be
  freezing?
  Daily average temperature of 50 degrees: June 7
  September 11
  Daily average temperature of 32 degrees: April 30
  October 15
  f(5.23) = 50
  f(8.4) = 50
  f(4.0) = 32
  f(9.55) = 32
  5. On what day will the average temperature be the warmest?
  The average temperature would be the warmest on July 26 according to the
  function graph. It would be 59 degrees. However, according to the data, it was
  actually higher in July and August.
  Reflection
  Examination of the model
  1. Do you think that this model would work for long periods of time, i.e.
  decades or centuries? Why or why not?
  We think this model would work for small periods of time, such as decades.
  However, not for longer periods of time, such as centuries. The impact of
  global warming will either change the function or shift it up over longer periods
  of time.
  2. Could this function be used to predict the temperature at a specific time on
  a given day?
  This function does not allow for precision per day. It gives average
  temperatures over several months.
  3. Could we use this function to predict average daily temperatures during
  the other months (January, February, March, October, November or
  December)?
  We could not use this function to predict the other months because we only
  used a small period of time to create this function and cannot be extended
  beyond April to September. We would have to create a new function.
  4. What do you see as advantages to the use of this function?
  Advantages: allows for predictions on specific days of the month within the range
  of April to September; finding the day when certain temperatures
  occur
  Disadvantages: limited to certain months of the year rather than the whole year;
  precision of function might be improved with more data points
  Using Earth Studies Materials in Your Classroom
  1. What module did you choose? We chose the Streamflow Temperature
  module.
  2. What course do I teach? Sixth Grade Pre-Algebra
  Where does this fit into your course? This particular module does not fit
  into pre-algebra because it is not a linear module.
  Does the level need to be modified? Yes, if used in sixth grade.
  3. Do you need any additional applets? I have not had enough experience
  with earth algebra to know at this time.
  4. Do you need any additional review topics? N/A
  Supplementary materials? I’d be interested in more materials pertinent to
  a pre-algebra skill level.
  5. How will you evaluate the students? N/A
  6. Is there a meaningful local connection that you and your students could
  discuss? I would relate the information to how it pertains to the region they
  live in and what this has to do with climate and agriculture. For example,
  the temperatures in Georgia are different than the temperatures in this
  example.
  ```