The Great Turtle Race Adapted by Dr. Jennifer L. Bell, LaGrange High School, LaGrange, Georgia (© 2010) Original Source Unknown

There were three turtles who lived in Algebraville.

The turtles’ names were: “The Great Turtle Race”. Quadie Plodder Cubie They decided to have “The Great Turtle Race”.

KALG The race generated such interest that the local radio station, KALG, carried it live for all of its listeners.

The race course covered 10 meters The race course covered 10 meters. The race was scheduled to begin at 12 noon on the 4th of July.

To see the entire race, change your WINDOW.

Their positions (in meters) at time, t (in seconds), were given by the following formulas: Quadie Plodder 0.2t(t- 5.1) Cubie 0.75t + 2.4 0.2t(t- 5.1)(t – 9.1)

Enter the formulas in your graphing calculator to analyze the race results. Quadie Plodder 0.2t(t- 5.1) Cubie 0.75t + 2.4 0.2t(t- 5.1)(t – 9.1)

Use the graphing calculator. Who won The Great Race? 3rd 0.75t + 2.4 = 10 Solve for t. t ≈ 10.13 Use quadratic formula. 1st 0.2t(t- 5.1) = 10 t ≈ 10.07 or -4.97 Use the graphing calculator. 0.2t(t- 5.1)(t – 9.1) = 10 2nd t ≈ 10.09 or 2 complex roots

1. Describe Plodder’s path. 2. Describe Quadie’s path. 3. Describe Cubie’s path.

4. Use the ZOOM to determine when Quadie passed Plodder. t ≈ 10.04 seconds

5. Use the ZOOM to determine when Plodder passed Cubie. t ≈ 3.80 seconds

6. Use the CALC to determine when Cubie’s maximum at approximately 2 seconds. y ≈ 8.81 meters

Write a radio commentary that describes the race and ALL crucial moments immediately before, during, and after the race.