USA TODAY, Geometry , Virginia Edition, Mathematics, Glencoe

USA TODAY® Related Activities

USA TODAY Related Activities provides activities related to the concept of the lesson as well as up-to-date Snapshot data.

Internet Activity

Teacher Notes

Solar System Statistics

Teacher Notes:

As an extension, have students research other characteristics of the planets of the Solar System. Have them write their own statements relating any two of the data sets and determine whether counterexamples exist for the statements.

Proceedure for the Activity

Answers:

Procedure for the Activity

Step 1	The scatter plot suggests a straight line. As the distance from the Sun becomes greater, the period of revolution of the planets becomes greater.
Step 2	No counterexample exists.
Step 3	There appears to be no consistent relationship between the two data sets.
Step 4	Sample answer: A counterexample to the statement is Pluto. Pluto is the furthest from the Sun and yet its diameter is the smallest of all planets.
Step 5	Sample answer: If the scatter plot suggests a line with no points causing the slope to change from positive to negative, or vice versus, then there is no counterexample. If the points show no consistent relationship in the graph, then there will be a counterexample to the statement.