Algebra  

Internet Project: Exponential Growth 

We are going to utilize the Internet to find data on the market and trade-in prices for a specific model of car.  

Part A: Data Collection

Step 1: Log onto the network and double click on the Netscape icon. Log onto Netscape 

Step 2: Enter the address: http://www.edmunds.com/edweb/used/usedcars.html in the spot that says "location" near the top of the screen.....press Enter 

Step 3: A list of the used car makers that are available will appear in alphabetical order with the years. You are to select a car maker that has data for the years 1988-1998. You are required to select an American made car (GM, Chrysler, or Ford) that is a four door sedan. 

Step 4: Click on year 1989 for the car maker you have selected. When the screen appears, click on the type of car you are interested in ....remember, you have to choose a common car that has enough data. 

Step 5: Once the screen appears, scroll down until you come to the Trade-In and Market prices on the right hand side of the screen. Look for the car that has the abbreviation: 4 dr STD Sdn, this stands for 4 door Standard Sedan. These are the most common car and we’ll be able to get data for all ten years...(Note: If you can’t find data for all ten years, you have to select another car!) 

Step 6: Write down the data in the table provided. Maker: ____________ Car: ________ 

Year

Trade-In

Market

1989

 

 

1990

 

 

1991

 

 

1992

 

 

1993

 

 

1994

 

 

1995

 

 

1996

 

 

1997

 

 

1998

 

 

1999

 

 

2000

 

 

Step 7: Click on the section for "New Cars" and find the Market Price for a new car and enter the price into the table. Once you have all your data, go up to "File" and down to "Exit" to get off of the Internet. 

Step 8: If you did not have time to get all your data, you may get on the Internet during your study hall, lunch, before/after school, or at home to complete your table. 

Now that you have collected the data on your car, your homework assignment is to graph your data by hand on graph paper. Be sure to put a title on the graph, label axes, and indicate the scales. 

Part B: Graphing your dataStep 1: - In class- Enter your data into a graphing calculator. Put the years starting with 1999 as year 1 and go to 1988 as year 10 (or 11) into L1. Put the Trade-In Data into L2 and the Market data into L3. Turn the first stat plot on making sure the x value is L1 and your y value is L2. Use the box marker for the data points. Change your window so you can see all of the data. Press graph. 

Next, go to STAT, Þ to CALC, and go down the menu until you get to ExpReg. Press Enter to bring the command to the home screen, type in L1, L2 by pressing 2nd #1, comma, and 2nd #2...(the comma is above the 7 key). Press Enter and write down the values for "a" and "b" and the equation. 

Trade-in Values: a ________________ b ________________

Equation: _________________________ 

Transfer the picture of the graph to your graph that you made last night using a colored pencil. 

Step 2: For the Market data, go to your lists and make sure L1 has the right amount of years. Go to back to your stat plot and change your y values to be L3. (press 2nd #3). Modify your window and graph the data. 

Do the same steps from above to find the equation of the Market data, however, change the command to ExpReg L1, L3 before you press Enter. Write down the values for "a" and "b" and the equation. 

Market Values: a ________________b ________________

Equation: _____________________________

Transfer the picture of the graph to your graph that you made last night using a colored pencil.

 

What you report should look like:
  1. narrative form
  2. includes equations for the market and trade-in data
  3. states what "a" and "b" mean
  4. a comparison of the two equations with a discussion about which set of data depreciates quicker
  5. your data table