Morrison Math

Sinusoidal functions are a staple of Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus but the modeling problems in the textbooks are always so dry. I can't stand any more weights on a spring or riders on a ferris wheel! I wanted to make a problem that would be more interesting than the classic textbook tropes and I also wanted students to experience data that could be modeled this way. Of course, data is never perfect so the data provided here can be modeled with sine or cosine but no model will completely exact.

Using Newton's Law of Cooling, students can use logarithms to determine the culprit in an editable Who Dunnit? You can use your own students' names and they will really enjoy trying to figure out which one of them is guilty! Starts with a one page introduction to Newton's Law of Cooling with example. Answer key with work provided.