Exponential Decay of Automobiles
A WebQuest for 11/12th Grade Algebra 3
Designed by
Stephen
Pate
stephen.pate@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits
Introduction
In this project, you will determine how fast cars lose their value and present that information as a salesman. You will need to present this information in such a way as to try to persuade someone to buy your brand of car. You will need to have a at least one graph to present your information, as well as incorporating a comparable car. It’s ok to sell aesthetics (how the car looks), so you will need to use pictures as well. BE CREATIVE!
By doing this assignment, you will learn how to gather and assimilate information, present the information, and make choices based on the information given. You will need to learn how to use many different sources to cull this information. In addition, you will learn some of the aspects that are essential to working in business and sales.
1.) Select what car you will choose, it must be at least five years old
2.) Find how much the car costs new this year (use more than one site, because prices fluctuate from region to region)
3.) Find how much the car from the past five years costs. Ex: How much does a 2004 Ford Explorer cost, a 2003, etc. You probably want to use a site like http://www.kellybluebook.com/ .
4.) Find the average rate of decrease for each year.
5.) Using the exponential decay formula, predict how much the car will cost for the next three years.
6.) Present you information. This should include at minimum any of the accessories that the car has, a picture of the car, a graphical presentation of the value of the car, and a sales pitch. It needs to be done in such a way to capture a potential buyer’s information.
7.) Write at least one-page paper on whether or not it’s best to purchase a new car or to buy a used one.
8.) Make a sales pitch to the rest of the class. Remember, BE CREATIVE!
The rubric for this assignment can be found here.
Hopefully, in doing this lesson you will have learned how to approach making important purchasing decisions. Also in this assignment you have learned how to present information that you have gathered, which is an important aspect of just about any job that you have.
This is a template from The Web Quest Page.