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Chapter 2 Connecting Technology and Engineering through Mathematics and Science
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experiment could be established to determine the
effects of the development of a natural gas pipeline
on wildlife in the surrounding area, such as white-
tail deer. The hypothesis in this example may be
that the construction of the natural gas pipeline will
have no significant impact on the area’s whitetail fi
deer population. Scientists then develop and follow
a procedure to collect and analyze the proper data
to prove or disprove the hypothesis. These proce-
dures are typically conducted using the scientific fi
method. This method structures scientifi research fic
in a way that ensures valid experimental results are
obtained. Through the scientific method, scientists fi
attempt to understand the world as it exists. The
scientifi method is described in fic Figure 2-6.
Scientists and engineers also use mathematical
practices and procedures to collect, analyze, and
interpret data about specifi natural phenomena or fic
technological devices. Mathematics is the study
of measurements, patterns, and the relationships
between quantities, using numbers and symbols.
Mathematical practices and concepts commonly
used by engineers include proper measurement
techniques, estimation, reasoning with equations,
scaling, proportion, and transformational geometry
to design, model, develop, evaluate, and improve
technologies. Mathematics is a tool that enables
people to quantify the world by expressing situa-
tions as numbers, equations, and inequalities. This
allows scientists and engineers to describe natural
phenomena or other situations as quantities, or
numbers, and perform the necessary calculations
to construct explanations of and make predictions
about nature or technologies.
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Figure 2-5. Scientists working in a research laboratory.
A A carbon footprint b f i is a measurement of how much everyday behaviors of people,
whether individuals or groups, impact the environment. It includes the average
amount of carbon dioxide released into the air by energy and gas used at home
and in travel. Engineering and technology contribute to carbon dioxide emissions.
Electricity that goes into the production of technology and the by-products put into
the air may create a larger carbon footprint.
Calculating either personal or group carbon footprints may be done with carbon
calculators provided by various environmental organizations. By learning the details
of their carbon footprints, people may be motivated to reduce them. This is important
to keep in mind when developing new technologies.
Think Green
Carbon Footprint
The Scientific Method
Develop
Theories
Make
Observations
Question
Formulate
Hypotheses
Develop
Testable
Hypotheses
Gather Data
to Test
Hypotheses
Refine, Alter,
Expand, or
Reject
Hypotheses
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Figure 2-6. The scientific method.