Illustrative Mathematics
Graphs of Quadratic Functions
The equations look different, but their graphs are the same. How can that be? This activity leads your mathematicians in an exploration of three different forms of the same quadratic function. After comparing the equations, their graphs,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Introduction to Linear Functions
Introduce your algebra learners to linear and quadratic functions. Learners compare the differences and relate them back to the equations and graphs. Lead your class to discussions on the properties of a function or a constant slope...
101 Questions
Angry Bird Quadratics
Launch your classes into a modeling lesson. Young scholars watch angry bird trajectories and make predictions based on their knowledge of quadratic functions. The lesson includes a series of questioning strategies to lead learners to the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Building an Explicit Quadratic Function by Composition
Use an activity to illustrate the different forms of a quadratic function. Here, the task asks learners to use composition of given functions to build an explicit function. The process emphasizes the impact of the order of...
Agile Mind
Transforming Graphs of Quadratic Functions
In the activity on this webpage, learners use interactive graphing technology to investigate transformations of graphs. In the first part of the task, they look at the graph of a quadratic function with coordinates of a few points...
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
Building a Quadratic Function Form
Comparing the movement of graphs geometrically when small changes are made to the parent function motivates this collaborative discussion on the transformations of functions to their various forms. Vertical and horizontal shifts due to...
Howard County Schools
Planning for Prom
Make the most of your prom—with math! Pupils write and use a quadratic model to determine the optimal price of prom tickets. After determining the costs associated with the event, learners use a graph to analyze the break even point(s).
Curated OER
What Functions do Two Graph Points Determine?
Your algebra learners write linear, exponential, and quadratic equations containing the same two graph points in this collaborative task.
101 Questions
Let's Jump This Jump!
Jump at the chance to use a crazy fun resource. After viewing a short movie clip of a motorcycle stunt, scholars determine whether the motorcyclist will clear a row of buses. They'll likely use a graph of a quadratic function to make...
Illustrative Mathematics
Which Function?
Learners are given a graph of a parabola on a coordinate system, but intercepts and vertex are not labeled. The task is to analyze eight given quadratic functions and determine which ones might possibly be represented by the graph. The...
Curated OER
Find Parabolas through Two Points
Your learners will write quadratic functions whose graphs include specific points and explore how these graphs are related to each other.
Point Pleasant Beach School District
Parabola Project
Class members select a picture that contains a parabola and construct a drawing of it using function graphs in the quadratic project. Individuals restrict the domains of the functions to create a more accurate drawing. They then submit a...
101 Questions
Leap the Jeep
Will harm come to the child in the video? Find out by modeling the scenario mathematically! Learners represent the situation with a quadratic model before deciding on a maximum height and time the person is in the air. Too low or not...
Illustrative Mathematics
Transforming the graph of a function
This activity guides learners through an exploration of common transformations of the graph of a function. Given the graph of a function f(x), students generate the graphs of f(x + c), f(x) + c, and cf(x) for...
Curated OER
Tale of the Tape
How can baseball and skeet-shooting be modeled mathematically? Sports lovers and young mathematicians learn how to use quadratic equations and systems of equations to model the flight paths of various objects.
Curated OER
Linear and Quadratic System
Learners find the common point of a linear and quadratic system given a graph of the system. Then they find a specific point located only on the parabola.
PBL Pathways
Students and Teachers 2
Examine trends in student-to-teacher ratios over time. Building from the first task in the two-part series, classes now explore the pattern of student-to-teacher ratios using a non-linear function. After trying to connect the pattern to...
Illustrative Mathematics
Throwing Baseballs
This is a wonderful exercise for learners to apply their critical thinking skills along with their knowledge of quadratic functions and parabolas. Young mathematicians investigate a real-world scenario about the height a baseball reaches...
Illustrative Mathematics
Zeroes and factorization of a non polynomial function
Functions behaving badly: the squaring function and the absolute value function are both zero at x=0. Yet when you divide each by x, different things happen. Here, your class will explore each scenario as a means to adding depth to their...
Curated OER
Sandia Aerial Tram
Your learners analyze a table of real-life data in order to write an equation that best models the information. Exponential, quadratic, and linear rates of changes are all possibilities in this task.
Curated OER
Logistic Growth Model, Explicit Version
Via the concrete setting of estimating the population of the US, your algebra learners are introduced to a logistic growth model. Comparing and contrasting logistic, exponential, linear and quadratic models, to see which fits the data...
101 Questions
Stopping Distances
In 2016, one in every four fatal car crashes listed speeding as a contributing factor. Pupils view videos of a car trying to come to a quick stop from four different rates of speed. They use context clues to measure and determine the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Springboard Dive
Dive into this problem that illustrates a real-world application of the quadratic formula. Learners are given an equation that represents the height of a diver above the water t seconds after leaving the springboard. The task is to...