ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
TITLE III
Linear Equations Project
Interdisciplinary Course Materials
Allied Health
Course:
MT 007 (College Elementary Algebra II) or MT 013 (College Elementary Algebra)
Course Outline Topics:
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Perform fundamental operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with real numbers.
Evaluate formulas, solve linear equations, linear inequalities, and ratio proportion problems.
Demonstrate a sense of numbers by determining if a mathematical solution is “reasonable”.
Sketch and interpret the graphs of linear equations.
Determine the equation of a line using slope-intercept and point slope forms of a line.
Present organized written work.
Read critically and think logically when solving application problems.
Demonstrate an understanding of order of operations to complete calculations on a scientific calculator.
Project Title: Basal Metabolic Rate
Project Description:
Students will use a Basal Metabolic Rate formula to determine their own BMR. Computations will be done
using a scientific calculator. Students will use the BMR formula to find BMR for different adult ages
(assuming height and weight remain fairly constant) to determine the linear relationship between age and BMR.
They will also use the BMR formula to find BMR for different weights (assuming height and age remain
constant) to determine the linear relationship between BMR and weight. An interpretation of the slope will be
part of the assignment.
Author:
Lynette Meslinsky, Mathematics/Computer Science
Curriculum Expert: Jill O’Malley, Biology
Semester Created: Fall 2008
A. Essential Question (What does this project attempt to answer?)
What is my BMR? What is the linear relationship between age and BMR? What is the linear relationship
between weight and BMR?
B. Introduction:
You expend energy no matter what you're doing, even when sleeping. Thus your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
is the number of calories you'd burn even if you stayed in bed all day - a tempting idea for some. This project
will allow you to calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate for various ages, determine the relationship between
BMR and aging and determine the relationship between BMR and weight.
Erie Community College
Title III Grant
C.
Things to Learn Before Starting the Project
Before you begin this project you will need to know your height in inches and your weight in pounds. You will
need to know how to use your calculator to compute answers using order of operations and exponent keys. In
addition, you will need to have knowledge of how to solve an algebraic equation and use variables in a formula.
Finally you will need to know how to use the slope formula, point slope formula, create a scatter plot and
interpret the equation of a line in the context of the applications.
D & E.Directions & Project Assignment:
1. Record your height in inches.
________
2. Record your weight in pounds. ________
3. Record your age in years. ______
4. Use the formula below to find your BMR where W = weight in pounds, h = height in inches and a = age in
years.
Women:
Men:
BMR = 655 + 4.35 W + 4.7h – 4.7a
BMR = 13.7W + 5h – 6.8a
5. Assuming that your height and weight will remain fairly constant as you grow older, calculate your BMR
for each age listed in the table below. Record your answers in the table (rounded to the ones place).
Age BMR
20
25
30
40
55
67
72
85
90
6. Choose an appropriate scale to create a scatter plot of these points using Age on the x axis and BMR on the
y axis. What can you determine from your scatter plot about the relationship between age and BMR?
y  y1
7. Choose two points on your scatter plot and use the slope formula, m  2
, to find the slope of a line going
x2  x1
through these two points. Write a sentence to explain what this slope means in the context of the problem.
Erie Community College
Title III Grant
8. Use the point slope formula,
y2  y1  m( x2  x1 ) , to find the equation of the line that represents the linear
relationship between age and BMR. Use the line to predict a BMR for an age of 43.
9. Assuming that your age and height are staying the same, calculate your BMR for each weight listed in the table below.
Record your answers in the table (rounded to the ones place).
Weight BMR
100
120
150
163
175
180
210
240
300
10. Choose an appropriate scale and make a scatter plot for this data with Weight on the x axis and BMR on the y axis.
What can you determine from your scatter plot about the relationship between weight and BMR?
11. Choose two points on your scatter plot and use the slope formula, m 
y2  y1
, to find the slope of a line going
x2  x1
through these two points. Write a sentence to explain what this slope means in the context of the problem.
12. Use the point slope formula, y2  y1  m( x2  x1 ) , to find the equation of the line that represents the linear
relationship between weight and BMR. Use the line to predict a BMR for a weight of 135 pounds.
F.
Student Resources (websites, books, technology, etc.)
Students will need a scientific calculator and graph paper. If they would like more information on BMR they
can visit the website:
www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/bmr-formula.php
G.
Faculty Resources (teacher notes, websites, books, technology, etc.)
Students will need to have developed the procedural knowledge necessary to manipulate formulas and
equations. In addition they will need instruction in the use of a scientific calculator to execute the mathematical
operations needed to use the BMR formula. You will need to have covered scatter plots, graphing lines, slope
formula and point/slope formula before assigning this project.
H.
Grading Rubric
All parts should be graded on Mathematical logic used through work shown (50%) as well as accuracy (50%)
Questions 1 – 4
Question 5-- Table Completion
Questions 6 - 8
Question 9—Table Completion
Questions 10 – 12
Erie Community College
Title III Grant
10%
20%
25%
20%
25%
Erie Community College
Title III Grant