Lesson Plan: Models in Mechanics Mathematics
This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to use a mathematical model of a real-life situation to predict and calculate distances, heights, velocities, accelerations, and forces.
Objectives
Students will be able to
- understand how a model is constructed and tested,
- test a polynomial model and determine if the results are reasonable,
- understand the terminology of assumptions (e.g., light) and how they simplify models.
Prerequisites
Students should already be familiar with
- quadratic equations,
- simple trigonometry with right triangles.
Exclusions
Students will not cover
- equations of motion,
- Newton’s laws of motion,
- vectors,
- converting units.