M153 PROJECT 1

Thompson

NAME:

Linear Modeling Consultant

Mathematical modeling is a far-reaching mathematical discipline that has applications in almost any field
imaginable. For this project, a consulting firm has hired you as an analyst. As a modeling consultant,
youll need to analyze a variety of different problems.
Client: Miami Science Museum
(source: http://www.miasci.org/blog/museum-launches-green-roof-demonstration-project)

The Museum has launched a Green Roof Demonstration Project at its current facility. The project will explore different types
of green roof designs to learn more about which design could work best in South Floridas subtropical climate. In particular, the
Museum is interested in learning which design could potentially help retain the most storm water, and which could help keep
temperatures coolest, above the roof and inside the building.
Temperature sensors hooked up to all five roof samples are collecting ongoing data to help determine which combination of
soil depth, irrigation, and plantings helps keeps the interior of each unit the coolest at different times of year, and how these compare
to the high-reflectivity roof. The chart below provides an example of the type of temperature data the Museum is collecting from the
green roof exhibit.

110

Temperature
(F)

100

90

80

70
12:00am

4:00am

8:00am

12:00pm

4:00pm

8:00pm

12:00am

Analyzing data from a graph

1. What was the approximate temperature inside the soil at 4:00am?
2. What was the approximate temperature above the roof at 8:00am?
3. At what time(s) was the soil approximately 85?
4. At what time(s) was the soil the same temperature as above the roof?
5. How many times during the day was the temperature the same under and above the roof?

Client: Temple University Summer Program

Data was collected regarding students attendance and grade point average.
Each point represents a student in Temples summer program. The graph of
this data shows that there is a positive correlation between academic success
and class attendance.

Linear Modeling (round all numbers to two decimal places)

1. Using a ruler or straightedge, construct a line of best fit.
2. Identify two data points that are passed through by your line of best fit. Write them as ordered pairs
where GPA is represented by the x value, and attendance by the y. [For example: (2.75, 70)]
&
3. Calculate the equation of your line of best fit. Write the equation in slope-intercept form.

Line of best fit:

4. According to your modeling equation, if a student attended 75% of classes, what should be their
GPA? Does this agree with the trend of the graph?

Client: Toyota Motor Corporation (source: www.toyota.com)

The data table to the right shows the number of

Year

Vehicles
(thousands)

2000

5002

The number of vehicles is given in thousands.

2001

5197

For example, in the year 2000, there were 5132

2002

5506

1,000 (or 5,132,000) vehicles produced)

2003

5850

2004

6713

vehicles produced by Toyota for the years 2000

through 2004.

1. Using the graph below, plot each data point. Be sure to label each axis
appropriately. The years should be along the x-axis.
2. Using a ruler or straightedge, draw your line of best fit.

3. Find the equation for your line of best fit. (round all numbers to two decimal places)

4. Using your equation, estimate how many vehicles were produced in 2008?

5. Using your equation, predict in what year Toyota produced 9,000,000 vehicles.