Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud Activity
Measuring the circumference and diameter of objects, such as coins and lids, allows students to discover pi (𝛑) from the circumference-to-diameter ratio. From multiple measurements of these two variables and the calculation of the simple ratio, measurement variation can be examined in a variety of n...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
McMaster University
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| Series: | Spreadsheets in Education |
| Online Access: | http://sie.scholasticahq.com/article/4667-discovering-pi-and-its-measurement-variation-a-collaborative-cloud-activity.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797967836472147968 |
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| author | Scott A Sinex Theodore L Chambers |
| author_facet | Scott A Sinex Theodore L Chambers |
| author_sort | Scott A Sinex |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Measuring the circumference and diameter of objects, such as coins and lids, allows students to discover pi (𝛑) from the circumference-to-diameter ratio. From multiple measurements of these two variables and the calculation of the simple ratio, measurement variation can be examined in a variety of numerical and graphical approaches, plus the influence of both random and systematic errors can be explored and percent error using the known value of pi. A best-fit mathematical model can be examined where a plot of circumference as a function of diameter yields the value of pi from its slope. By using a common US standard object (4-inch PVC pipe connector), the accuracy and precision of the measurements can be evaluated. Additionally, utilizing a pre-built Google Sheets spreadsheet (https://goo.gl/oYVQzS), data is collected, graphs produced, and computations performed in a shared environment in the cloud via Google Drive. This allows online collaboration and comparison within the class and between classes and even institutions, all-the-while building a large data set. Since the diameter measurement requires measuring through the center of the object, the diameter measurements could be underestimated which would yield a positive percent error in the determination of pi by this method. Random error should also be minimized as the number of objects measured (sample size) increases as well. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:36:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1ca5462adf7e423e9b7a7c5ee266d136 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1448-6156 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:36:24Z |
| publisher | McMaster University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Spreadsheets in Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-1ca5462adf7e423e9b7a7c5ee266d1362023-01-02T19:48:08ZengMcMaster UniversitySpreadsheets in Education1448-6156Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud ActivityScott A SinexTheodore L ChambersMeasuring the circumference and diameter of objects, such as coins and lids, allows students to discover pi (𝛑) from the circumference-to-diameter ratio. From multiple measurements of these two variables and the calculation of the simple ratio, measurement variation can be examined in a variety of numerical and graphical approaches, plus the influence of both random and systematic errors can be explored and percent error using the known value of pi. A best-fit mathematical model can be examined where a plot of circumference as a function of diameter yields the value of pi from its slope. By using a common US standard object (4-inch PVC pipe connector), the accuracy and precision of the measurements can be evaluated. Additionally, utilizing a pre-built Google Sheets spreadsheet (https://goo.gl/oYVQzS), data is collected, graphs produced, and computations performed in a shared environment in the cloud via Google Drive. This allows online collaboration and comparison within the class and between classes and even institutions, all-the-while building a large data set. Since the diameter measurement requires measuring through the center of the object, the diameter measurements could be underestimated which would yield a positive percent error in the determination of pi by this method. Random error should also be minimized as the number of objects measured (sample size) increases as well.http://sie.scholasticahq.com/article/4667-discovering-pi-and-its-measurement-variation-a-collaborative-cloud-activity.pdf |
| spellingShingle | Scott A Sinex Theodore L Chambers Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud Activity Spreadsheets in Education |
| title | Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud Activity |
| title_full | Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud Activity |
| title_fullStr | Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud Activity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud Activity |
| title_short | Discovering Pi and its Measurement Variation: A Collaborative Cloud Activity |
| title_sort | discovering pi and its measurement variation a collaborative cloud activity |
| url | http://sie.scholasticahq.com/article/4667-discovering-pi-and-its-measurement-variation-a-collaborative-cloud-activity.pdf |
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