Curated OER
Mixing Candies
Mixture problems are a classic in first-year algebra. Unfortunately, many learners approach them in a formulaic fashion and don't truly understand the meaning of the algebraic expressions they are using. Here, the questions are not the...
Curated OER
A Lifetime of Savings
Sometimes people who seem to lead what would be considered an ordinary life do extraordinary things. Such was the case with Oseola McCarty, who donated a large sum of money for a university scholarship fund in her name. Oseala lived her...
Illustrative Mathematics
Animal Populations
Assume all you know is that the variable Q represents a value that is bigger than the value represented by the variable P. Which is larger P + Q or 2P? The problems in this activity get more complex than that example, and they do a good...
Curated OER
Course of Antibiotics
This model of the amount of anibiotics in a person's system is represented abstractly by a finite geometric series. Learners translate this real-life situation into algebraic form and then extend their knowlege by answering questions...
Curated OER
Cantor Set
Discover an interesting mathematical object that your algebra learners will enjoy investigating. Their adventure will lead them to the generation of a finite geometric series.
Curated OER
Forms of Exponential Expressions
Your young physicists analyze the forms of four equivalent exponential expressions representing an amount of a radioactive material in a substance. They show how each expression is equivalent to the others and what aspects of the decay...
Curated OER
Taxes and Sales
Collaborative discussions around this retail store problem will be taxing. Calculating discount and tax and the order of the operations are used to motivate an opportunity for learners to make a convincing argument using algebraic...
Curated OER
Building a General Quadratic Function
Learners rewrite a general quadratic function by completing the square to see a new form of the function that more easily identifies the x-coordinate of the vertex and the two roots of the function.
Curated OER
Seeing Dots
Your algebra learners interpret algebraic expressions, in order to compare their structures, using a geometric context. They also discern how the two expressions are equivalent and represent a pattern geometrically and algebraically.
Curated OER
Sum of Even and Odd
Your algebra learners will make use of structure and manipulate expressions involving function notation using the definition of odd and even functions. They then advance even further to analyze the structure in a system of two equations.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Matching Quadratic Functions
Ever sigh when learners ask why they have to know so many different forms of the quadratic equation? Here is a lesson that comes in handy! Using hands-on matching activities, quadratic equations are explored through their graphical...
EngageNY
Recognizing Equations of Circles
What does completing the square have to do with circles? Math pupils use completing the square and other algebraic techniques to rewrite equations of circles in center-radius form. They then analyze equations of the form x^2 + y^2 + Ax +...
EngageNY
The Multiplication of Polynomials
If you can multiply multi-digit integers, you can multiply polynomials. Learners use an area model to compare multiplying numbers to multiplying polynomials. They progress to using the distributive property.
EngageNY
The Division of Polynomials
Build a true understanding of division of polynomials. Learners use their knowledge of multiplying polynomials to create an algorithm to divide polynomials. The area model of multiplication becomes the reverse tabular method of division.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Calculating Arcs and Areas of Sectors of Circles
Going around in circles trying to find a resource on sectors of circles? Here is an activity where pupils first complete an assessment task to determine the areas and perimeters of sectors of circles. They then participate in an activity...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Solving Linear Equations in Two Variables
Solving problems about pen and paper with systems of equations ... or is it the other way around? In the lesson, learners first interpret expressions and use equations in two variables to solve problems about notebooks and pens. They...
EngageNY
The Power of Algebra—Finding Pythagorean Triples
The Pythagorean Theorem makes an appearance yet again in this lesson on polynomial identities. Learners prove a method for finding Pythagorean triples by applying the difference of squares identity.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Exploring Quadratics and Graphs
Young mathematicians first graph a series of quadratic equations, and then investigate how various parts of the equation change the graph of the function in a predictable way.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Factoring Quadratic Expressions
Factor in different strategies in a lesson for factoring quadratics. Young mathematicians first create tables and area models to factor quadratic trinomials into two binomials by guess and check. Learners then investigate how they can...
EngageNY
Multiplying and Factoring Polynomial Expressions (part 2)
If you can multiply binomials, you can factor trinomials! This is the premise for a instructional activity on factoring. Pupils look for patterns in the binomials they multiply and apply them in reverse. Examples include leading...
EngageNY
Advanced Factoring Strategies for Quadratic Expressions (part 1)
Factoring doesn't have to be intimidating. Build on prior knowledge of multiplying binomials and factoring simple trinomials to teach advanced factoring of quadratic expressions with a lesson that uses various methods of exploring the...
EngageNY
Building Logarithmic Tables
Thank goodness we have calculators to compute logarithms. Pupils use calculators to create logarithmic tables to estimate values and use these tables to discover patterns (properties). The second half of the instructional activity has...
EngageNY
The Most Important Property of Logarithms
Won't the other properties be sad to learn that they're not the most important? The 11th installment of a 35-part module is essentially a continuation of the previous lesson, using logarithm tables to develop properties. Scholars...
EngageNY
Solving Logarithmic Equations
Of course you're going to be solving an equation—it's algebra class after all. The 14th installment of a 35-part module first has pupils converting logarithmic equations into equivalent exponential equations. The conversion allows for...