Tesla Model 3

I’m fascinated by the pre-order hype surrounding Tesla’s latest car, the Model 3.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716510703000100865

With a little help from Skitch, let’s turn this scenario into a math problem.

Throw that image on the screen and ask students:

• How many orders in 24 hours?
• What info would help you figure that out?

Ideally, after making some predictions (and writing them down!) students make a request for average price per vehicle, and you deliver:

 

When they’re ready for the reveal…

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/715934657720639488

Sequel #1

Let’s see what else we can do with this…

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/715955186175459332

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716089404985487361

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716341849409998849

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/716693951260938241

Pre orders began on Thursday, March 31. Tesla promised a numbers update on Wednesday, April 6. How many pre orders do you think will have been placed by then?

• Make a prediction.
• Use math to find a more accurate answer.
• Explain your thinking.

I’ll drop an update here once we know the answer.

Update!

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/718112326889529344

Sequel #2

Tesla aims to sell 500,000 cars per year by 2020. Consider this comment from CEO Elon Musk:

Based on the information in the comment above:

• Do you think Tesla will meet its 2020 goal?
• What sort of year-over-year percentage growth will this require?
• If you think they’ll miss the mark… by how much?
• If you think they’ll surpass the target… by how much?

Invitation

Drop an answer to one of the questions above in the comments below. Or, share another idea or two for how this Model 3 craze could play out in a math classroom.