1STEM 3.

2 Capstone: Sinusoidal Modeling – Real World Application Project

Now that we have completed our study of sinusoids, we can use our knowledge to apply it to the
real world around us. We should now understand that any variable that is cyclical, harmonic,
oscillating, or periodic in nature can be modeled graphically by a sine or cosine wave. There are
countless applications of sinusoid modeling in real life. Some of these applications include:
-Changes in Temperature over time -Wheels, Trampolines, Swings
-Hours of daylight over time -Earthquakes
-Population growth/decay over time -Tsunamis and tidal waves
-Ocean wave heights (high and low tides) over time -Electrical currents
-Sound waves -Ferris wheels and roller coasters
-Biorhythm waves

TASK: Your task is to investigate any real-world phenomenon that can be modeled by a
sinusoid. You must research and collect data, develop a predictive model, graph it, and present it
to the class using a visual presentation platform like Prezi, Show Me, iMovie, Google Slides, etc.
You will be given the freedom to choose any topic, and the freedom to be as creative and
outside-the-box with this project as you wish.

This project will be due on May 10, 2024.

Individual presentations will take place Thursday and Friday March 3-4, 2022.

Task Details:
● Pose a research question that you will answer by collecting data and representing your
findings with a math model (sinusoidal “periodic” function).
● Collect no less than 12 real-world data points that can be modeled sinusoidally. The more
data, the better! Providing 24 or more data points will earn you maximum points on the
rubric.
● A predictive model of the format y = Asin(Bx + C) + D or y = Acos(Bx + C) + D for the
data must be developed using the techniques we learned in class. This model could be used
to predict outcomes into the future.
● A neatly organized graph of the original data, and a graph of your developed model must
both be embedded in your presentation. To produce these graphs you may use your
graphing calculators, the Desmos app, or you may draw the graphs yourselves. Pictures or
screenshots of your graphs may be used. The objective is to compare the two graphs side-
by-side or on top of one another, so you could see how accurate and predictive your model
is.
● A reflection must be submitted with your project (2 paragraphs). This reflection should be
neatly and logically written/typed with no grammatical errors, and should summarize your
experience in doing this project. What did you learn? What did you enjoy or dislike? What
would you change about your model/ data collection? Why is it impossible for the model
to perfectly fit the plotted data? Etc.
● Present your video or slide deck to the class. Include collected data (organized in a table),
the predicted math model (sine/cosine equation), error analysis, and components of your
reflection. Plan to present for 5 minutes.

Example Project Ideas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTuP452WrLU
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3CI02oBXAY

● A city averages 14 hours of daylight in June, 10 in December, and 12 in both March and
September. Assume that the number of hours of daylight varies sinusoidally over a
period of one year. Develop a model for d(t), the number of hours of daylight, as a
cosine function of t.
● The tides at the beach are cyclical. At midnight, low tide is 4 feet, while at noon, high
tide is 10 feet. Develop a model for these tides.
● An electrical current alternates between 60 V and 120 V and back every 0.2 seconds.
Assume the initial voltage was 120 V. Develop a model for these currents.
● A Ferris wheel is 50 feet in diameter, with the center 60 feet above the ground. You enter
from a platform at the 3 o'clock position. It takes 80 seconds for the Ferris wheel to
make one revolution clockwise. Find the model that gives your height above the ground
at time t (t=0 when you entered).
● As the assistant meteorologist, you have been asked to research tsunamis, also known as
tidal waves. They are ocean waves produced by earthquakes and can move through the
water undetected for hundreds of miles at great speed. These waves can be represented
by sine graphs with a very long wavelength, or period, and very small amplitude.
Tsunami waves only attain monstrous size as they approach the shore. Use your research
to graph a tsunami wave, find its sinusoidal equation, and analyze its amplitude and
wavelength.
● You have been hired to design a roller coaster for the next World Expo. For the
committee, you need to explain the coaster route in terms of a combination of
trigonometric functions on a continuous graph. Research famous coasters like the
Manta, Wicked, Batman the ride, and others to find heights, lengths and routes of
thrilling coasters. Present your equations and explanations to the class.
● The pressure P (in millimeters of mercury) against the walls of the blood vessels of a
person is modeled by P = 100 – 20 cos (8π/3)t, where t is the time in seconds. Graph the
model. Explain how to find the period of the function. The period is one cycle, and one
cycle is equivalent to one heartbeat. Then find the person’s pulse rate in heartbeats per
minute.
● Radio waves transmit sound in two ways. For an AM station, the amplitude of the wave
is modified to carry sound. Hence, AM stands for “amplitude modification”. For an FM
station, the frequency is modified to carry sound. Thus, FM stands for “frequency
modification”. Sketch both AM and FM waves, and develop a model.
● Circadian rhythm is the daily biological pattern by which body temperature, blood
pressure, and other physiological variables change. Data shows typical changes in
human body temperature over a 24-hour period (t = 0 corresponds to midnight). Find a
cosine curve that models the data.
● The rabbit population in a field fluctuates with the seasons. In January, the cold weather
and lack of food reduces the population to 500. In July, the population rose to its high of
800. This cycle repeats itself. Develop a model.

Project Checklist:
Data Collection

1) Presentation of data in a table – show units for both x and y values

 2) Disclosure of source

3) Why is the data periodic? -- seasonality, tidal cycle, rotation of the earth, frequency of heartbeat,
soundwaves, etc.

4) Graph of data

Math model calculations

1) Show calculations for vertical shift, amplitude, frequency, phase shift

2) sine or cosine calculation?

3) Make specific reference to the data in your calculations

4) Graph of modeled function vs raw data

Error Analysis

1) How did you model the errors?

2) Which parameters did you adjust to minimize errors?

3) How much were you able to improve results by changing parameters?

4) Were there any instances of outliers or “bad data” that you decided to exclude from the model?

5) Graph of error terms

6) Show calculations

Reflection

1) Were you able to answer the original question – and if you were, what was the answer?

2) How close did the model come to representing the real world relationship?

3) Did the model perform better for one part of the data vs another part, and why? Could the model
be used as a predictive tool?

4) What part of your analysis could be improved, and how would you improve it?

5) What about this analysis did you like / not like? Did you learn anything new, and if so what was
it?

Sinusoidal Modeling Rubric

Score
Criteria Model/Exemplar Proficient Developing Beginning

(4 points) (3 points) (2 points) (1 point)

Data Collection Data is authentic, Data is authentic, Data is Data is
appropriately appropriately labeled authentic, incorrectly
labeled and clearly and clearly presented in appropriately labeled, not
presented in an X- an X-Y table. Contains labeled and presented in an
Y table. 13- 23 measurements. clearly presented X Y table, and
Contains 24 or in an X Y table. contains less
more Contains 12 than 12
measurements. measurements. measurements.

Mathematical All calculations are All calculations are Most Calculations

Calculations/ very clear, clear, organized, and calculations are are unclear
Model organized, and neatly completed with clear, and
Development neatly completed 1-2 organized, and disorganized and
with no inaccuracies. neatly 5 or more
inaccuracies. completed inaccuracies
with 3-4 may be
inaccuracies. present.

Graphs All graphs are All graphs are All graphs are All graphs are
neatly produced, neatly produced, not neatly not neatly
axes are axes are produced, axes produced, axes
appropriately appropriately scaled are not are not
scaled and and labeled, data appropriately appropriately
labeled, data points are accurately scaled and scaled and
points are plotted, labeled, data labeled, data
accurately plotted, colorful, and smooth points are not points are not
colorful, and curves are drawn. accurately accurately
smooth curves are plotted, and plotted, and
drawn. smooth curves smooth curves
are not drawn. are not drawn.

Visual Presentation The presentation The presentation is clear The presentation The presentation
is clear, colorful, and colorful, shows is bland and is erratic and
creative and some editing and basic, does not poorly produced,
entertaining, shows audio/visual effects, show lacks
a great deal of keeps the editing or effects, effort, does not
editing and audience mostly keeps the show any
audio/visual engaged, and fully audience editing or
effects, keeps the utilizes technology, moderately effects, the
audience fully and lasts 3-5 minutes engaged, and audience is not
engaged, fully does not fully engaged, and
utilizes available utilize does not utilize
technology, and technology, and technology,
lasts 5-10 minutes. lasts 1-2 minutes and lasts
under 1
minute.

Effort An exceeding A substantial amount of An average A poor amount

amount of time and effort is present in amount of effort of effort is
effort are present in crafting a model and is present in present during
crafting a polished during the presentation. crafting a model the presentation.
model and during and during the
the presentation. presentation.
Reflection Writing is clear, Writing is mostly Writing is Writing is
concise, and well clear, concise, and unclear and unclear and
organized. well disorganized. disorganized.
Thoughts are organized. Thoughts Thoughts are not Thoughts
expressed in a are expressed in a expressed in a ramble and
coherent and logical coherent and logical logical manner. make little
manner. Contains 2 manner. Contains 1-2 sense. Contains
or more paragraphs Contains 2 paragraphs paragraphs with 1 paragraph
with very few with several several with
grammatical errors grammatical errors grammatical many
present. present. errors present. grammatical
errors present.