9-12
This lesson focuses on having students make connections among different
classes of polynomial functions by exploring the graphs of the
functions. The questions in the activity sheets allow students to make
connections between the x-intercepts of the graph of a polynomial and
the polynomial's factors. This activity is designed for students who
already have a strong understanding of linear functions, some knowledge
of quadratic functions, and what is meant by a polynomial function.
6-8, 9-12
This grades 7-12 activity allows students to look for patterns within the given data. After looking at the pattern, the student should be able to form generalizations for the problem. Furthermore, this activity sharpens the algebraic skills of the students. The problem sharpens visualization skills.
9-12
Adapted from
Navigating through Algebra in Grades 9–12, this lesson allows students to examine a recursive sequence in a game between the Devil and Daniel Webster.
6-8, 9-12
Students model linear data in a variety of settings that range from car repair costs to sports to medicine. Students work to construct scatterplots, interpret data points and trends, and investigate the notion of line of best fit.
9-12
In this grades 9‑12 lesson, students use a computer software program to
assist them in determining the square root of 2 to a given number of
decimal places. From this, they will be able to study the
repeating-decimal phenomenon of rational numbers and explore the system
property of irrationality of numbers, such as 2.
9-12
In this lesson, students examine the problem of space pollution caused by human-made debris in orbit to develop an understanding of functions and modeling. It allows the students an opportunity to use spreadsheets, graphing calculators, and computer graphing utilities.
9-12
This activity allows students to become familiar with percents and
taxes. Students learn how to determine the amount of tax a family will
pay based on a certain income. This lesson was adapted from an article
by Warren W. Esty, which appeared in the May 1992 edition of
Mathematics Teacher.
9-12
This lesson introduces students to the many factors that play a role in
creating a forest-fire danger rating index. They will be looking at how
we use a scale to quantify the abstract idea of forest fire danger.
Using the real-world situation, students examine the meaning of the
slope and intercepts of a line. To complete the activities related to
these indexes, students should be comfortable with linear, quadratic
and exponential functions and their graphs. Students’ facility with a
graphing calculator is assumed. Students also use summation notation to
do the activities relating to the Nesterov index. This lesson plan was
adapted from the article "Smokey the Bear Takes Algebra," which
appeared in the October 1999 issue of the
Mathematics Teacher.
9-12
In the first lesson, students make a conjecture about how the intensity of light changes as a function of the depth of the ocean. A video clip is used to prompt thinking, and students propose a graph that represents light intensity vs. depth.
9-12
To test their conjectures, students gather data using one of three
different methods: using a simulated online dive; covering a tank with
plexiglass to simulate ocean water; or, incrementally filling a column
with water to simulate increasing depth.
