The Flying Hat, Parametrically��Ryan Pietropaolo�NCSSM 2025
Discussion – Parametric Equations
-When do we teach it?
-What do we do with it?
-Do students like it?
The Flying Hat!
During the winter of 2025 a snowstorm hit North Carolina. My neighbor went outside during the storm. Just as he stepped out the door a gust of wind blew his hat from his head. The hat flew over my 4-foot fence that was 25 feet away. Determine how far the hat traveled and how long it was in the air.
Additional Information
-The man is 6 feet 3 inches tall.
- 40 mile per hour wind gusts were reported.
Let’s plot it!
We have a problem…
Air Resistance
We will drop a hat and collect data with a motion detector…
Quadratic Regression�We need the lead coefficient.
It clears the fence!
��Mars Rover� Spirit
The questions…
Modeling the motion of the Rover.
Need to adjust the initial position.
b) Distance to Sleepy Hollow
Minimizing Distance by using Perpendicular Lines.
c) Change Direction to hit Sleepy Hollow
Interchange Horizontal/Vertical Speeds.
Bulls eye!
How do you introduce Parametric Equations?
Thank you!
Ryan Pietropaolo
pietropaolo@ncssm.edu