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

2. There were three turtles who lived in Algebraville.

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

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

5. 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.

6. To see the entire race, change your WINDOW.

7. 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)

8. 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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