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Conference rusure::math

Title:Mathematics at DEC
Moderator:RUSURE::EDP
Created:Mon Feb 03 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2083
Total number of notes:14613

1750.0. "Teaching Math With Pinewood Derby Cars" by GLDOA::RBROWN (Hmmmm .... A note ...) Mon May 17 1993 16:33

    Hi !,
    
    	This might seem odd, but ...  My son and I built a pinewood derby
    car for his AWANA Father and Son Banquet.  While we didn't quite come
    in first, we did spend some time together learning how to use tools,
    etc.  That is the real point of the project.
    
    	I'd like to incorporate some further learning into next year's
    entry by trying to compute the "best design", "center of gravity",
    "best location of extra weight", etc.  It would be a great opportunity
    to use math and see the results.  Kids respond better when they can see
    the results.  While counting the number of apples Mr. Smith has, and
    then figuring out how they would bring at .05 each is OK, if I could
    use math to show how the car can be designed, that would really get his
    attention.
    
    	Can anyone offer any suggestions on how one might do this as well
    as any other interesting math ideas ?   Anyone have any formulas for
    things that can be measured in a kitchen or garage that apply to the
    design ?
    
    It may seem odd, but the results will lasting ...
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1750.1can get complicatedSSDEVO::LUNTHSC EngineeringMon May 17 1993 22:2917
    In my humble opinion -- this is not just a math problem.  Its a statics
    and dynamics problem.  You want both a stable car (by stable I mean
    that the car must 'like' to go straight down the track) and a car with
    low friction (body to wheel, wheel to axial, wheel to center bar of the
    track).  Each time the car bumps  the center bar it will loose speed. 
    This is also true when the wheels bind.  Set it up like a statics and
    dynamics problem and I think you'll both learn alot.  BTW -- Aligning
    the car with the track when your boy places it on the track is half the
    race.
    
    My opionion of the priorities:
    
    Car as close to 5oz as possible in weight plus Reduce friction are key 
    and should be your top priority.  BTW -- placement of the weight is
    CRITICAL.
    
    dave