Using the Dynamic Power

of Microsoft Excel to Stand

on the Shoulders of

GIANTSMarggie D. Gonzalez

www4.ncsu.edu/~mdgonza2

April McLambwww4.ncsu.edu/~ajmclamb

Donovan, J.E. (2006). Using the dynamic power of Microsoft excel to stand on the shoulders of giants. The Mathematics Teacher, 99 (5), p. 334-339.

“If I have seen further than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of GIANTS” – Isaac Newton

NCTM Processes

Problem SolvingPresent a classic algebraic problem and

expand it through dynamic representation. Communication

Share ideas and discuss conjectures. Connection

Connect algebra with finance math. Representation

Different representations are used to display the data (sliders, table, and graph).

The Technology Principle

Technology is essential in teaching and learning mathematics; it

influences the mathematics that is taught and enhances students' learning (NCTM, 2000, p. 24).

Learning Goals

Connection between different representations

Being able to understand and explain the meaning of variables using tables, and graphs

Being able to make generalization using parameters

How long does it take to catch up?Task 1

Person A sets out in a car going at 50 mph. Starting 3 hours later, person B

tries to catch up (along the same route). If person B goes at 75 mph, how long

does it take to catch up?

Solution: t = 9 hrs

Equation: 50t = 75(t - 3)

12

23

vv

vt

Generalization involves varying the speeds by assigning variables to traditional constant values. In this case assign: v1 as the speed for person A and v2 as the speed for person B.

Rewrite the equation including these variables and solve for t.

Playing Catch Up…

What questions will you include in this task in order to elicit students’ conceptual understanding of rate of change? Could you extend this task further? Explain.

Who will have more money? Task 2

Twin 1 and Twin 2 are planning to save for retirement. Twin 1 will save $2000 per year from age 25 through age 34 and then no longer make annual contributions. Every year on her birthday she makes a $2000 deposit. Twin 2 wants to “live it up” while she is still young and plans to start saving $2000 per year when she hits age 35. Beginning on her 35th birthday she deposits $2000 per year on her anniversary of her birth. Which twin will have more money when they retire on their 65th birthday? Assume an

interest rate of 8% compounded annually.

Solve the problem What do you found?

Twin 1 will have more money than Twin 2 at their 65th birthday.

Do you think the result will surprise your students? WHY?

The task “deliberately confuse students to draw their attention to subtle relationships” (Sinclair, 2003)

Cognitive Conflict (Hollebrands, Laborde, & Strober, 2008)

INTERESTing Slider

Create a slider and attach it to cell F4.

Create an XY scatter plot with Twin 1 and Twin 2 plotted on the same graph.

Explore the effects of changing the interest rate.

Perfect Cents…

At what interest rate will the twins have the same amount of money at their 65th birthday?

6.2832%

The Quadratic FormulaTask 3

Summarize your conjectures about the effects of each: a:

b:

c:

Quadratic Formula…

What do you notice about the vertex of the function as you change parameters?

Which parameters affect the vertex?

How can you determine the location of the vertex using those parameters?

Critique of Intended Goals

The authors did not specifically stated the learning goals.

The activity was used in a professional development with practicing teachers.

Idea of generalization problems in algebra and showing students the influence the value of variables has in a problem. In the twins example, the money Twin 1 or

Twin 2 will have at the end depending on the amount of years they will be saving as well as on the interest rate they receive.

Words of advice…

SlidersCreating vs. Given

More MoneyHave the table of values created for

students.

Quadratic FormulaNegatives values and fractional values for

coefficients

Changes…

No changes if use with teachers in a professional development.

If use with students: In Task 1 - Sliders created In Task 2 - Table created and have students

create the slider

ReferencesDonovan, J.E. (2006). Using the dynamic power of Microsoft excel to

stand on the shoulders of giants. The Mathematics Teacher, 99 (5), p. 334-339.

Buckley, M.A., and Kelly, S. (2003). Transforming spreadsheets into dynamic interactive teaching tools. On-Math, 2 (2),

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2000). Principles and standards for school mathematics. Reston, VA: The Council.

Hollebrand, K.F., Laborde, and Strober (2008). Technology and the learning of geometry at the secondary level. In M. Kathleen and G. Blume (Eds.). Research of Technology and the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics: Volume I. Research Syntheses, Greenwich, CT: Information Age.

Sinclair (2003). Some implications of the results of a case study for the design of pre-constructed, dynamic geometry sketches and accompanying materials. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 52, p. 289-317.