www.tootsie.com

Dear Students:

In an attempt to satisfy the recent nationwide demand for patriotic items, our company decided to market the “I Love USA” Tootsie Roll^Ò. In a rush to get the product out to the consumer, several batches were shipped to stores without passing through our random quality control checkpoint. We are considering a recall of this candy. As you can imagine, this would be costly to our corporation and an inconvenience to our customers.

At the advice of our technical department we are sending these samples in hopes that you can aid us by doing some random product testing. Please check the mass to volume ratio for each of the samples we have sent you. Compare the same sizes of Tootsie Rolls^Ò to each other, and also check to see how the different sizes compare to each other. Report your data in table form and organized into graph(s) as well. We will compare your data with that from other test sites and our own standards to determine if the flag Tootsie Rolls^Ò meet those standards.

We are sending candies to schools across your state in hopes of collecting a great deal of data at low cost. We appreciate your help and although we cannot compensate you monetarily, we hope you will accept these samples of other products we make.

Yours truly,

Matt Matiks

Director Quality Control

Notes to the teacher:

This lab examines the linear relationship between mass and volume for a particular object. This can be used to study proportions, graphing, domain and range of axes, slopes, comparing calculated single values (m/v = d) to average values derived from the slope of the line of many points. Best fit lines (using linear regression), sampling, direct and indirect variation and other ideas that you can think of could be examined. Also, estimation and prediction skills will be revisited.

• You will need 2 or 3 sizes of Tootsie Rolls, at least 1 of each size per group and then use class data. You could have each group test more than the 1 of each size candy if time permits. If you can’t find a third size of TR you could cut large ones into smaller pieces.

• 100 ml Graduated cylinders and water if you will measure the volume by water displacement. You probably could use Pr²h if you can smash the TR into a more regular shape. Then, you will need rulers.

• 2 or more electronic or triple beam balances (borrow them from the science dept)

When doing this lab, I’d prefer not to tell the kids anything else; let them figure out what to do and what the significance of the ratio is...some of the kids will have learned about density, previously. Of course, you could have a class brainstorming session to determine what should be done and what exact procedures to use. You could talk about density being m/v before beginning the activity, or not. Add questions and analysis based on your level of student and the class you are teaching and the sophistication of data analysis you want them to do.

If you provide “product samples”, Tootsie Roll makes Dots, Sugar Daddies and Sugar Babies, Charms Blow Pops, Junior Mints and other stuff. Check out their website. www.tootsie.com

Some questions you could ask the students after the complete the lab are:

1) Predict the volume of a TR given its mass of 55 grams (for example) and vice versa.

2) Is this relation a direct or inverse variation? Why?

3) Estimate the number, assuming different sizes, it would take to fill an 8 oz. bag of TR.

4) State the linear regression equation. Analyze/Interpret the linear regression equation.

5) State your independent and dependent variables and explain why you “set it” up that way.