Puzzle Design Challenge
Analysis
Purpose
In order to draw conclusions over how effective the puzzle cube was, other students were tested and timed by attempts at solving the puzzle cube. Other statistics such as gender and age were used to attempt to draw a trend between statistics.
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1. Test the solution time of your puzzle cube. Identify at least ten test subjects. Be sure to choose your test subjects so that the data you gather can provide evidence of meeting (or not meeting the design criteria). Each test subject will solve your puzzle three times. You will measure and record the time to solve the puzzle each time. Also, collect demographic information that might be important to determine how well you have addressed the needs of your target market (and to help you answer the conclusion questions).
2. Find statistics related to your test data (using technology as appropriate) to include the following:
· Mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation of the solution time for the first attempt for all test subjects.
Mean - 630 Mode - 350 Median - 349
· The mean of the solution times for the second attempt for all test subjects.
Mean - 116
· The mean of the solution times for the third attempt for all test subjects.
Mean - 15
2. Find statistics related to your test data (using technology as appropriate) to include the following:
· Mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation of the solution time for the first attempt for all test subjects.
Mean - 630 Mode - 350 Median - 349
· The mean of the solution times for the second attempt for all test subjects.
Mean - 116
· The mean of the solution times for the third attempt for all test subjects.
Mean - 15
Conclusion
1. Why is it important to model an idea before making a final prototype?
It is important to model an idea before making a final prototype in order to be able to identify errors in the design.
2. Which assembly constraint(s) did you use to constrain the parts of the puzzle to the assembly such that it did not move? Describe each of the constraint types used and explain the degrees of freedom that are removed when each is applied between two parts. You may wish to create a sketch to help explain your description.
I used sanding to be able to make the pieces fit in almost perfectly, or so that they would go in easier than it would have been. To make the pieces of a
piece fit and stick together, glue was used.
3. Based on your experiences during the completion of the Puzzle Design Challenge, what is meant when someone says, “I used a design process to solve the problem at hand”? Explain your answer using the work that you completed for this project.
It means that the person who used the design process literally went through a process by which he/she brainstormed of the possibly perfect design. In other
words, they went through a process by which almost all possible problems/solutions were thought of, and the best were applied.
4. How does the gender of the puzzle solver affect solution time? Be specific and provide evidence to support your answer.
The gender of the puzzle solver does not in any way affect the solution time; all the results are around the same.
5. How does the age of the puzzle solver affect solution time?
The older the puzzle solver, the quicker the puzzle was usually solved.
a. Make a specific statement related to the rate of increase or decrease of solution time with respect to age. Provide evidence that supports your statement.
The older the solver, the less the solving time.
b. Write an equation using function notation that represents puzzle solution time in terms of age. Be sure to define your variables and identify units.
30n + 4 = solving time n = solvers age
c. Predict the solution time on the first attempt of a child who is 3 years of age. Show your work.
94 seconds
d. Predict the solution time on the first attempt of a person who is 95 years of age. Show your work.
2854 seconds
e. Do these predictions make sense? Why or why not?
Not at all; because age nor gender do not affect the solution time.
f. What is a realistic domain for the function?
...
g. Collect additional data to verify your mathematical model.
1. Why is it important to model an idea before making a final prototype?
It is important to model an idea before making a final prototype in order to be able to identify errors in the design.
2. Which assembly constraint(s) did you use to constrain the parts of the puzzle to the assembly such that it did not move? Describe each of the constraint types used and explain the degrees of freedom that are removed when each is applied between two parts. You may wish to create a sketch to help explain your description.
I used sanding to be able to make the pieces fit in almost perfectly, or so that they would go in easier than it would have been. To make the pieces of a
piece fit and stick together, glue was used.
3. Based on your experiences during the completion of the Puzzle Design Challenge, what is meant when someone says, “I used a design process to solve the problem at hand”? Explain your answer using the work that you completed for this project.
It means that the person who used the design process literally went through a process by which he/she brainstormed of the possibly perfect design. In other
words, they went through a process by which almost all possible problems/solutions were thought of, and the best were applied.
4. How does the gender of the puzzle solver affect solution time? Be specific and provide evidence to support your answer.
The gender of the puzzle solver does not in any way affect the solution time; all the results are around the same.
5. How does the age of the puzzle solver affect solution time?
The older the puzzle solver, the quicker the puzzle was usually solved.
a. Make a specific statement related to the rate of increase or decrease of solution time with respect to age. Provide evidence that supports your statement.
The older the solver, the less the solving time.
b. Write an equation using function notation that represents puzzle solution time in terms of age. Be sure to define your variables and identify units.
30n + 4 = solving time n = solvers age
c. Predict the solution time on the first attempt of a child who is 3 years of age. Show your work.
94 seconds
d. Predict the solution time on the first attempt of a person who is 95 years of age. Show your work.
2854 seconds
e. Do these predictions make sense? Why or why not?
Not at all; because age nor gender do not affect the solution time.
f. What is a realistic domain for the function?
...
g. Collect additional data to verify your mathematical model.