Exponential Hands-on Activity: Folding Paper to Notice Trends of Exponential Growth and Exponential Decay
This hands-on activity has two parts to it. During the first part, students will fold paper and record the number of rectangles created per number of folds. During the second part, students will fold paper and record the area of the smallest rectangle created by the folds. This activity provides students with the opportunity to explore patterns of exponential models in tables, graphs, and symbolic form. Students will be able to apply what they learn to make bigger connections to ideas such as infinity and limits. In order for this activity to have the most benefit, students should have prior knowledge of general exponential equations. I would use this particular activity to have students make observations of exponential growth and exponential decay before they have been
taught the general equations for them.
taught the general equations for them.