(Old) Second Degree

How dangerous are heat and humidity?

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(Old) Second Degree

How dangerous are heat and humidity?

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2023-2024 Versions

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How dangerous are heat and humidity? A hot day can feel uncomfortable. But if there’s enough humidity in the air, a hot day can be deadly. The head index describes the "feels like" temperature that combines air temperature and humidity.

In this lesson, students use polynomial functions to explore the heat index and discuss the life-and-death consequences that cities around the world will face in the coming years.

REAL WORLD TAKEAWAYS

  • The heat index describes how hot it feels and is a function of temperature and relative humidity.
  • In very hot temperatures, an increase in relative humidity raises the heat index more than it would at moderate temps.
  • When the heat index reaches high levels, it is dangerous for humans to go outside. Heat indexes are expected to reach dangerous levels in various places over the next century.

MATH OBJECTIVES

  • Evaluate and simplify polynomial expressions
  • Graph and compare quadratic equations, and interpret those graphs in a real-world context

Appropriate most times as students are developing conceptual understanding.
Algebra 2
Polynomial Functions
Algebra 2
Polynomial Functions
Content Standards
Mathematical Practices

Other Algebra 2 Lessons