Shaquille
O'Neal Hand/Foot Span: Teacher Notes
MA.6.A.2.2
MA.912.A.3.11
Conceptual Understanding
Data Collection
Interpret Data
Line of Best Fit
Procedural Knowledge
Organize Data
Graph Data
Make Predictions
Ratios
Problem Solving
Reasoning
Communication
Connections
Representation
Shaquille O'Neal, a basketball
player in the NBA, is a very large person. He wears a size 20 shoe.
Using ratios, you can find Shaq's hand span and make comparisons to
your own hand span.
Students work in groups
and individually.
- 1 metric ruler
- Graph paper
- Pictures of Shaq's shoe
size and hand span
- Measure the foot length and hand span of 10 students. Record your
data in the table below.
Student
Name
|
Foot
Length
|
Hand
Span
|
Ratio
(F/H)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
Shaquille
ONeal |
41
cm
|
|
|
- Using the average ratios of foot length to hand span, calculate
the hand span of Shaquille O'Neal.
- Using graph paper, graph the foot length and hand span information
from your table.
- Extend the axis for foot length to include Shaquille O'Neal's 41
cm foot.
- Draw a line of best fit for the graphed data.
- Locate the foot length and corresponding hand span for Shaquille
O'Neal on the line.
As a result of this activity,
students will learn how to collect, graph, and extrapolate data.
Students can extend this
activity by using a graphing calculator or a computer spreadsheet
program. The student can use both ways to graph and then make predictions
about the size of Shaq's hand span.
|