Radford University
Projectile Motion and Quadratic Functions
Model the flight of a ball. Small groups collect time data for how long it takes to toss a ball between two people. The teacher leads a discussion about projectile motion to get the class thinking about how to calculate the equation of...
Mathalicious
The Fall of Javert
Falling off a bridge might not sound like your idea of a good math problem, but incorporating the final scene of Les Misérables is sure to spark interest. The goal is to use the time Javert fell off the bridge to determine how high he...
Mathalicious
Out of Left Field
A baseball trajectory and a parabola seem to make the best pair in real-world quadratic applications. Here is a current baseball resource with questions, discussions, and explorations regarding a quadratic function and home run...
Mt. San Antonio Collage
Quadratic Equations and Their Applications
Show high schoolers there is more to quadratic functions than just formulas and parabolas. Connect the math to realistic application problems with a resource that has learners consider such situations as a ball hit in the air, the...
Math Guy
Algebra 1 Practice Final
What makes this resource special? The amazing answer key that comes with worked out solutions and notes for each problem. Practice problems include all topics ranging from linear systems to simplifying exponential expressions. The packet...
Flipped Math
Unit 10 Review: Quadratics
Everything one wanted to know about parabolas in one place. Pupils work 27 problems as a review of the unit on quadratics. Problems range from determining key features of the function and using that information to graph the parabola, to...
Flipped Math
Modeling with Quadratics
Do some interpretive modeling. Class members watch three examples of interpreting key features of a graph of a quadratic to find solutions to a real-world problem. Learners review how to find the key features on a graph using technology...
Flipped Math
Quadratics in Vertex Form
It looks different, but yet the same. Scholars view a video that introduces them to the vertex form for a quadratic equation. Pupils realize that though the equation looks different, its graph is still a parabola, and the key features...
Radford University
Saving the US from a Missile Crisis
Mathematically shoot down an incoming missile. Given information about the Cuban Missile Crises, learners calculate the equation of the trajectory of an imaginary missile launched from Cuba toward Washington, D.C. Scholars determine the...
Radford University
Modeling Quadratics Basketball Video Project
Will he make it? After watching a video of part of a basketball shot, groups create their own videos. Teams record a video of shooting a ball at a hoop and edit it to show only a portion of the shot. Group members determine the equation...
Radford University
Throwing a Football
Use mathematics to help the football team. Pairs brainstorm how to approach finding a solution to a problem to help the quarterback complete more passes. By researching and collecting data, the teams derive an equation to represent the...
Radford University
How High Can You Throw?
Find heights by measuring time. Teams collect data to determine the height that a tennis ball is thrown. Classmates measure the height of the initial release of the ball and how long it stays aloft. Using a projectile motion equation,...
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 7: Structure of Expressions
The structure of an expression is a descriptive feature. Learners build a solid understanding of quadratic functions using an analysis of expressions in different forms. The seventh module in a series of nine includes 12 lessons...
101 Questions
How Many Hot Dogs?
Top off your hot dogs with a little math. Learners view a video on a hot dog eating contest, and then answer questions using estimation. Using a table of hypothetical data, they create algebraic expressions to represent the situation.
CK-12 Foundation
Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs: Soccer Ball Trajectory
Determine critical points in the flight of a soccer ball. Pupils use an interactive resource to find the vertex and x-intercepts of the graph of the trajectory of a soccer ball after being kicked. Scholars investigate the trajectory...
CK-12 Foundation
Using Quadratic Equations to Solve Problems: Construct a Soccer Field
Determine whether the soccer field has the right area. Pupils create a virtual soccer field based upon constraints. They determine the equation that models the area and continue to investigate other potential areas.
CK-12 Foundation
Identification of Quadratic Models: UFO Launch
Build conceptual understanding of graphs of quadratic functions with an out-of-this-world resource. An interactive lesson allows learners to manipulate a graph that models the launch of a UFO. The lesson focuses on the key features of...
Virginia Department of Education
Quadratic Modeling
Use a one-stop resource for everything you'd possibly want to teach about quadratic functions and models. Scholars analyze key features of quadratic functions as well as transformations of functions through seven activities....
Virginia Department of Education
Quadratic Curve of Best Fit
Class members create a table of the number of chords that can be drawn given the number of points on a circle. Pupils analyze the data created, find a function to fit to it, and use the function to make further predictions.
Illustrative Mathematics
Medieval Archer
Class members determine the distance a video game character must move to shoot an arrow over a castle wall. Players determine the new equation to enter to represent the trajectory of the arrow and find all the distances the character can...
Balanced Assessment
Local and Global Behavior
Create rules for numerical sequences. Pupils develop local rules and recursive rules for number sequences. The sequences are linear, quadratic, and cubic in nature. Scholars find that some local rules do not work, no matter where in the...
Balanced Assessment
Para-Ball-A
Analyze the flight of a thrown ball. Learners determine the maximum height of a thrown ball and the time it takes to hit the ground given its initial speed. They continue to review different scenarios with different maximums or different...
Chicago Teachers Union Quest Center
Factored Form of a Quadratic Function
Build upon linear functions to learn about quadratics. The lesson introduces the concept of zeros for quadratic functions and makes the connection to the linear factors of the function. It presents quadratics in both graphical and...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Solving Quadratic Equations
Scholars first complete an individual assignment using a quadratic equation to model the movement of a bus around a corner. Learners then discuss their solutions with classmates and analyze the provided sample responses.