Tacoma Narrows Bridge lesson plans - Math - Mathematics of scale
Mathematics of scale
Lesson objectives
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Understand how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics to other subject areas and to real-life situations;
- Understand how to devise a plan to solve problems.
- Understand and apply the concept of scale.
- Understand the size relationships between the structures, ship and person listed below.
Time:
One day or class period.
Materials needed:
Graph paper, rulers, calculators, drawing paper, and colored pencils. Provide students with data table shown below:
| Name | Total Length or Height |
|---|---|
| Tacoma Narrows (1950) | 5,979 feet |
| Space Needle, Seattle | 605 feet |
| Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco | 6,450 feet |
| Empire State Building, New York | 1,453 feet |
| Statue of Liberty, New York | 305 feet |
| Eiffel Tower, France | 1,063 feet |
| Titanic | 885 feet |
| Average 7th grader | 5 feet |
Lesson steps
1. Using the figures provided above, calculate how many times the structures, person and ship listed will fit onto the Narrows Bridge.
2. Next calculate how many 5-foot students would fit on the 60-foot width of the bridge.
3. Create a scale drawing of the structures, person and ship listed above. Be creative!
Related links on this site:
"Span Stats"—Statistical Profile of the 1940 Narrows Bridge
Evaluation
Before the students get started working on their drawings, bring them together in a large group and ask them to help create a grading rubric. Ask them what attributes a top-quality drawing might have, and list those attributes on an overhead projector or white board. Possibilities might include:
- Drawings are correctly scaled;
- Drawings are accurate and well-crafted;
- Presentation is clear and colorful;
- Information is presented in a creative way;
- Shows investment of time and effort;
Evaluate each attribute on an appropriate scale based on your own school's grading system, for example giving points or letter grades. Include student evaluations also, if desired.