Lesson 6Using and Interpreting a Mathematical Model

Learning Goal

Let’s use a model to make some predictions.

Activity 1: Using a Mathematical Model

In the previous activity, you found the equation of a line to represent the association between latitude and temperature. This is a mathematical model.

Problem 1

Use your model to predict the average high temperature in September at the following cities that were not included in the original data set:

  1. Detroit (Lat: 42.14)

  2. Albuquerque (Lat: 35.2)

  3. Nome (Lat: 64.5)

  4. Your own city (if available)

Problem 2

Draw points that represent the predicted temperatures for each city on the scatter plot.

Problem 3

The actual average high temperature in September in these cities were:

  • Detroit:

  • Albuquerque:

  • Nome:

  • Your own city (if available):

How well does your model predict the temperature? Compare the predicted and actual temperatures.

Problem 4

If you added the actual temperatures for these four cities to the scatter plot, would you move your line?

Problem 5

Are there any outliers in the data? What might be the explanation?

Activity 2: Interpreting a Mathematical Model

Problem 1

Refer to your equation for the line that models the association between latitude and temperature of the cities.

  1. What does the slope mean in the context of this situation?

  2. Find the vertical and horizontal intercepts and interpret them in the context of the situation.

  3. Can you think of a city or a location that could not be represented using this same model? Explain your thinking.