Using Math to Design a Roller Coaster

by Hilary Koll, Steve Mills, Korey T. Kiepert

Explains how math skills are needed to inspect structures for safety and includes math activities using real-life data and facts about roller coasters.

32 pages, Library Binding

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Math teachers and tutors of reluctant students might find some intriguing facts here, although you never do design a roller coaster. There are details on how much time you should allow when planning the different stages of construction of a roller coaster, and also information on how to choose a building lot. (If it already has a hill on it, you can save money on construction.) You can find out where the highest coaster in the world is (New Jersey), and how to plan how many feet of building materials you will need for a coaster. You can compare ride designs, and learn about safety inspections. You learn a lot about roller coasters, but in spite of the book's title, you never do design your own.

There are math problems on every page, and answers in the back, with explanations if you are not sure how the answer was achieved. The math is about 4th grade level.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably shouldn't review our own book but this one was fun to write!