The Goal of this webquest is to introduce students to exponential growth in mathematics by using the powerful real-life example of world population. It is designed for pre-algebra students in 9th and 10th grade.
The world is growing in leaps and bounds. When did the world population really begin to take-off? What has happened over the last 20 years, 30 years, 100 years, and 1900 years? The following video shows the approximate change of population from the beginning of mankind to the year 2020. Just move the button under the movie screen from left to right and you will scroll through mankinds population growth history.
How many people do you think there are in the world at this moment?
Check Your Guess!
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In One minute?
In Two minutes?
Think back to the video of the population growth of the world. What is happening at the beginning of the video, in the middle, and at the end of the video? What do you think is happening during the plague? What types of things reduce population? Increase population?
Look at the video one more time and make some observations about what you think is happening. Then write a paragraph about your theories.
Imagine a woman having some children and then those children having their own children. Many people are going through this same process at the same time. Below is a simulation of this model.
Phase one-A child is born (1).
Phase two-That child has two children (2 new children).
Phase three-Those children have two children each (4 new children).
Phase four-Those four children have two children each(8 children).
Answer the following five Questions!
1. Predict phase 5, phase 6, phase 7?
2. How many people are there in phase ten, fifteen, and twenty?
3. Do you see a pattern? Explain.
4. At what phase does the growth seem large to you? Why?
5. Draw a simulation model, like the one above, for each mother having three babies.
6. Answer Questions 1-4 for question 5.
For Questions 2 and 4 above use the online calculator. To operate the online calculator follow these directions. Press 2^ and then the phase you want to see. For example, for phase 3 type this: 2^3 and then the number for that phase will appear. calculate here
If growth continues at the predicted rate, what will the future be like for you and I? Is there any way population growth could slow down? If so, how?
Assignment-Write a short paragraph to the questions above?
Using all the knowledge that you have gained in this exploration of population growth, write a letter to the President of The United States convincing him of the actions he should or should not take to address population growth in the future. Make sure you tell the President why you have taken a certain stance by using facts. We will send these letters to the President.