Activity Description Compare two sets of objects, using estimation to determine which is greater. Estimate a number of objects, the length of a line, or the area of a shape. Parameter: error tolerance. Comparison Estimator is one of the Interactivate assessment explorers.

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Comparison Estimator

Place in mathematics curriculum:

This activity can be used to:

• Introduce students to the uses and limits of estimation
• Reinforce basic concepts in geometry such as simple shapes and area
• Show students the importance of comparing scales on different graphical displays

This activity allows the user to compare two quantities (which may be the number of objects in each of two sets, the lengths of two curves, or the area of two shapes) by estimating. This activity would work well in small groups of 2-4 for about 20-25 minutes if you use the exploration questions and 10-15 minutes otherwise.

Preparations for this activity:

• Encourage the students to estimate rather than measure or count
• Discuss how estimation is not as accurate as measurement
• Explain the difference between close, really close, and almost perfect (almost perfect is the most accurate)
• Suggest that the students eventually increase the difficulty level