few_shots: 
Example:
Problem/activity:
Task
Cruz and Erica were both getting ready for soccer.
Cruz ran 1 lap around the school.
Erica ran 3 laps around the playground.
Erica said,
I ran more laps, so I ran farther.
Cruz said,
4 laps around the school is 1 mile, but it takes 12 laps around the playground to go 1 mile. My laps are much longer, so I ran farther.
Who is right? Draw a picture to help you explain your answer.


Concept/skill: 
Explain why a fraction a/b is equivalent to a fraction (n × a)/(n × b) by using visual fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size. Use this principle to recognize and generate equivalent fractions.
Grade 4 expectations in this domain are limited to fractions with denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 100.

Answer: 
Yes. This task asks students to compare two fractions that are equal. The students need to explain why the two fractions are equal by drawing a picture, which involves using visual fraction models.

Now, does the problem or activity shown below enable students to learn the full intent of the following concept or skill?

shot_info: im_task_000212_pos_0

4
standard_description: Represent data with plots on the real number line (dot plots, histograms, and box plots).
problem_activity: Activity
The mathematical purpose of this activity is to introduce students to curves representing normal distributions. Students compare normal curves with different means and standard deviations to determine how those statistics affect the curve. In particular, ensure students understand that normal curves are entirely defined by the mean and standard deviation, that the mean defines the center of the distribution, and the standard deviation affects the spread of the distribution.
Student Facing
These curves represent
normal distributions
with different means and standard deviations. What do you notice?
mean = 10. standard deviation = 1
[IMG]
mean = 10. standard deviation = 2
[IMG]
mean = 8. standard deviation = 2
[IMG]
mean = 12. standard deviation = 1
[IMG]
mean = 10. standard deviation = 0.8
[IMG]
Student Response
Teachers with a valid work email address can
click here to register or sign in
for free access to Student Response.
Student Facing
Are you ready for more?
The equation for the curve for a normal distribution is
\(f(x) = \frac{1}{\sigma \sqrt{2\pi}} \boldcdot e^{\frac{-(x-\mu)^2}{2\sigma^2}}\)
where
\(\sigma\)
is the standard deviation,
\(\mu\)
is the mean, and
\(e\)
is a particular number close to 2.718.
Notice the part of the function that is
\((x - \mu)\)
. Using your understanding of transformations of functions, how does changing
\(\mu\)
affect the graph of the function?
Student Response
Teachers with a valid work email address can
click here to register or sign in
for free access to Extension Student Response.
Activity Synthesis
The important things for students to notice are:
The curves are entirely defined by the mean and standard deviation.
The curve is symmetric around the mean.
The standard deviation affects the width and height of the curve. A larger standard deviation is wider and shorter. A smaller standard deviation is thinner and taller.
Here are some questions for discussion:
“Why do you think the normal curve for a larger standard deviation is wider and shorter than one with a smaller standard deviation?” (We would expect a larger standard deviation to mean that data is more spread out, so it makes sense that is wider. Since the area must remain 1 under the curve, it has to get shorter to get wider.)
“What is the shape of the normal curve?” (Bell-shaped and symmetric)
“Where is the line of symmetry for each curve?” (
\(x = 10\)
,
\(x = 8\)
,
\(x = 12\)
, and
\(x = 10\)
, respectively)
Tell students,
“Although it is difficult to see in these graphs, the
\(x\)
-axis is a horizontal asymptote for normal curves. As you follow the curve to the right (or left), the curve gets closer and closer to the
\(x\)
-axis without ever actually reaching it.”
“Normal curves are bell-shaped and are most reliably used to model bell-shaped or approximately bell-shaped distributions.”
“The area under the normal curve (between the curve and the
\(x\)
-axis) is always 1. When the standard deviation increases, the curve spreads out to the right and left. To maintain the same area, though, the height of the peak must decrease.”


aligns: yes