7.RP – Ratios and Proportions with iPhones

The picture on the top was found at http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/i5i4svs_dimensions.jpg and the picture at the bottom was found at http://www.financetwitter.com/2014/09/apple-pay-iphone-six-watch-welcome-to-the-party-but-you-are-late.html

A possible math problem that students can solve is “identify the size ratio difference among the different iPhones in inches and mm.” This would align with the state standard CCSS.Math.Content.7.RP.A.1: Compute unit rates associated with ratios of fractions, including ratios of lengths, areas and other quantities measured in like or different units.

Students would be given both pictures so that they could see the dimensions of the four latest versions of the iPhone. With the dimensions given, students should be able to apply prior knowledge of converting ratios to find what the dimensions of the iPhone 4s and iPhone 5 are in mm. Students could then compare the face area of the iPhone 4s to the face area of the iPhone 6 plus since the difference in size is greater between those two phones. Other size ratios can also be found among the other iPhones.

Comparing size dimensions of iPhones, can be a great activity for students because it is something that they can be interested in. Many students might have a version of an iPhone and would find it very interesting to compare the size of their own to others. Other students might find the activity interesting because they are using math skills to compare real-life objects.

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