An Introduction to Fathom: Mammals Brains

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An Introduction to Fathom Mammals Brains

• Noemi Waight
• UIUC
• June 21, 2001

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What is Fathom?

• Statistical software that explores data
  dynamically
• Allows you to use data to get a more in-depth
  understanding of science, math, statistics,
  social science
• gather, explore, and graphically analyze data
• http//mtl.math.uiuc.edu/modules/fathom/part1.html

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The Structure of Fathom

• A collection box

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A collection box with data
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A collection showing its cases

• Inspector controls properties of an object

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A Case Table

• A row represents one case
• A column represents an attribute

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Graphs
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Cont..
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Formula Editor
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Mammals Brains

• Brain sizes of 62 mammals
• Mammals with the largest and smallest brains

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Make a Prediction

• Assume that you could weigh the brains of the
  African elephant, mountain beaver, human, and
  rat. Predict their order from largest to smallest
  brain, based on brain weight. Explain your
  reasoning.
• Assume that you could weigh these mammals
  bodies, too. Would the four body weights go in
  the same order as the brain weights

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Cont..

• 3. Assume that you calculate the ratio of brain
  weight to body weight for these 4 mammals.
  Predict their order from largest to smallest
  brain based on brain-to-body ratio. Explain your
  reasoning.

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Lets Investigate

• Open the document Mammals.ftm
• Will work on this activity using the fathom
  handout as a guide

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Extension Activity Arm Span

• Brainstorm
• Do taller people have bigger wrists?
• How is height related to arm span or other
  kinds of bone-length measurements?
• Which measurements allow us to best predict
  someones arm span?

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The Arm Span Activity

• Use the handout to guide you through the activity.

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Discussion

• Questions, Comments?
• References
• Binker, J., Finzer, W. Erickson, T. (2005).
  Fathom dynamic data software Learning guide.
  California Key Curriculum Press.
• Aviles-Scott, C., Erickson, T. David, C.
  (2005). Teaching Mathematics with Fathom dynamic
  data software Blackline activity masters for
  version 2. California Key Curriculum Press.
• http//www.keypress.com/fathom/