Description/Aim

This activity involves looking at the distance, speed and acceleration of 8 cars all measured over a given time period.

Students are asked to use these tables to describe the journeys and then match them with the appropriate graphs of the distance, speed and acceleration.

Why we like this activity ….

Distance, speed and acceleration provide a practical context for introducing the notion of 'rates of
change'. The context is one with which students can relate and this adds power to the experience. There
are lots of ways tyo match and the conversations between students as they do it are fruitful!!!

How this activity be used ….

Students in pairs or groups work either on a large piece of paper cutting and pasting or rearranging on
a computer. The images can be cut out or manipulated on word, excel or (my favourite) a flipchart file
that can be opened an edited with interactive whiteboard software. Students should take turns to
present and justify their answers.

What to expect when using this activity – from our experience

Lots of good discussions!

Extra Notes

Can be follwed by 'classifying sequences'