The Gold Mine

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity using surfaces is designed to provide a geometric description of linear approximation using the tangent plane.
2. Students work in small groups to extrapolate information about the local density of gold to estimate the density elsewhere.
3. The whole class wrap-up discussion emphasizes the geometric role of the tangent plane as an approximation to the surface, and the relationship of both to first- and second-order partial derivatives.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

Useful visual application of partial derivatives to linear approximation.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version

Student Handouts

mvgoldminehand.pdf