Mathematical Modeling

Neysa / 10.2b

The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada is deemed to have the greatest average change in tide height
in the world. In the table below data is presented from 27 December 2003 using Atlantic Standard
Time (AST). The heights were taken at Grindstone Island.
Time 00.00 01.00 02.00 03.00 04.00 05.00 06.00 07.00 08.00 09.00 10.00 11.00
(AST)

Height 7.5 10.2 11.8 12.00 10.9 8.9 6.3 3.6 1.6 0.9 1.8 4.0
(m)

Time 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 19.00 20.00 21.00 22.00 23.00
(AST)

Height 6.9 9.7 11.6 12.3 11.6 9.9 7.3 4.5 2.1 0.7 0.8 2.4
(m)

The task of this project is to create and develop a model function of the relationship between time and
height of the tide in The Bay of Fundy In Nova Scotia. Based on the information below:

1. Graph of Time (against the height)

(Figure 1.0) This graph is based on the information stated on table above. The dots show the height and
time changes of the tides of Fundy Bay in Nova Scotia.
(figure 1.1) The vertical lines means y = 6.5

2. Developing The Functions

Formula: y = A sin B ( x – c ) + D

Max = Maximum Height of the graph

Min = Minimum Height of the graph

A (amplitude) ->
12.3 – 0.7 = 11.6 = 5.8
2 2

B (period) ->
12 = 2π -> B = 2π -> π
B 12 6

D (vertical shift) ->

D = 12.3 + 0.7 = 13 = 6.5
2 2

C (horizontal shift) -> 12

y = 5.8 sin π ( x – 12 ) + 6.5
6

y= 5.8 sin ((pi/6) (x-12)) + 6.5

3. Draw a graph of your function on the same axes as the graph in step 1. How well does the
function fit the data?

(Figure 1.2) Graph based on the equation: y= 5.8 sin ((pi/6) (x-12)) + 6.5 and as you can see, the
function does not meet the dots perfectly.

4. Modify the function to create a better fit. Describe the issue you had to consider.
Since the function did not work, therefore, by using trial and error, the modification I am making is to
change the variable B.

I chose to use trial and error method because since I use a graphic program, I can easily observe and
justify the possible changes of the variable B

(Figure 1.3) This is the graph after I made changes on the variable B, where it wasn’t 6, but 6.3. I know
it’s not perfectly touches every dot, but at least it’s close enough and touches most of the dots compare
to the first function. I tried different numbers at first to see which one resulted the closest to the dots, I
tried, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.5 and decided that 6.3 resulted the graph that almost touches every dot.
Graph based on the equation: y= 5.8 sin ((pi/6.3) (x-12)) + 6.5

Modification: y= 5.8 sin ((pi/6) (x-12)) + 6.5 -> y= 5.8 sin ((pi/6.3) (x-12)) + 6.5

5. Use a resource (GDC or other graphical software) to justify your findings and explain it.

(Figure 1.4) By using the a software called Graphmatica, I used the ‘curve it’ option, I can see that the
line touches almost every dots, which means, a perfect function, though it’s still not perfect and it’s
quite similar to the graph that I’ve modified, only the curve touch different dots. So I can conclude that
my function is right.

6. Good sailors will launch their boats on an outgoing tide (that is when the tide is going out). Use
youre model to determine the times between which a good sailor would have launched a boat on
27 December 2003

Good sailors will sail around noon when the wind wind came from the land at night, so then they can
sail. The heigh of the waiter is cruicial so then they won’t hit any corals. So the good time for good
sailor to sail is aproxiamately around 15.00 when the height of the water is 12.3 meter until 05:00 in
the morning when the height of the water is at 8.9 meter.

7. Find another sample of real life problems where this mathematical modeling might be used
and how it can link to the mathematical modelling.

This mathematical modeling can be used in another real life problems such as calculating, measuring,
and modelling electricity power, sound wave, etc. The electricity power deals with plus and minus
current, whereas, between the plus and minus current, right in the middle, is called standard level of
current that’s also a part of the tide model. The plus side of an electricity power represents the upper
side or the highest point of the tide and the minus is the contrary where it represents the low till the
lowest part of the tide. So that’s an example how this mathematical modeling of the tides can be use in
another real life problems.

8. The table below lists the tide heights for 28 December 2003. Does your function fit these data?
What modifications are needed? Confirm that your modified model fits the data.

Time 00.00 01.00 02.00 03.00 04.00 05.00 06.00 07.00 08.00 09.00 10.00 11.00
(AST)

Height 5.0 7.9 10.2 11.6 11.6 10.5 8.5 6.0 3.5 1.7 1.2 2.2
(m)

Time 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 19.00 20.00 21.00 22.00 23.00
(AST)

Height 4.4 7.2 9.7 11.3 11.8 11.1 9.4 7.0 4.4 2.2 1.0 1.3
(m)

Based on the data: 27 December 2003

Function: y= 5.8 sin ((pi/6) (x-12)) + 6.5

Modified function: y= 5.8 sin ((pi/6.3) (x-12)) + 6.5

9. why you think your method is correct and suggest of any improvement(s) you might need to
complete this work.

I think my method is correct because I used trial and error, which means I’ve tried different numbers or
different modifications several time and picked the one that fits best. I compared my work with my
friends and some of them have the same answer and modification and some have little difference in
number in the modification section, though the result is quite the same.

Furthur improvement in completing this work is to manage my time well, use more possiblities for the
modification part and research well.