Factoring Trinomials

Students learned how to solve trinomial equations by factoring today, so they won't have to use the quadratic equation to find x-intercepts. Students drew pictures of the trinomials to find factors, and were introduced to the FOIL method of multiplying trinomials.

Tonight's Homework: Home Book, page 182, problems 4-15. The new instructions are: Factor, if possible.

Another Concept Test is History

Students spent the class period taking Concept Test 13. Only two more to take! Big books were also turned in today.

Tonight's Homework: None, unless you are behind.

Using the Vertical Motion Model to Solve Problems

We set up problems that require the use of the quadratic formula and then solved them today. Some students looked at the series of triangular numbers (Investigation 3 in FFPC), We also began preparing for Friday's concept test.

Tonight's Homework: Complete both sides of the purple worksheet. Be sure to show work and label answers. The test for concept 13 will be given in class this week. Be sure to prepare for it now.

Note to track athletes: Be sure to come in to take the EasyCBM test sometime this week, since you will be missing it on Thursday. Your concept test will be given in class on Friday.

Applying the Quadratic Formula to Situations in Life

Today, we looked at how we can use math to determine if certain situations will be able to happen, and if so, how long it will take for them to happen. Specifically, we talked about the path of a firework rocket, slam dunking a basketball, and diving off a 12 foot diving board into a pool (poor Pam!). Students were asked to use the quadratic formula or the discriminant to determine answers to the questions posed in class.

Tonight's Homework: None for period 2 and finish the 4 questions we started in class for period 6. The test for concept 13 will be given in class this week. Be sure to prepare for it now.

Note to track athletes: Be sure to come in to take the EasyCBM test sometime this week, since you will be missing it on Thursday. Your concept test will be given in class on Friday.

Talent Show Shortens Classes

Today's classes were only 15 minutes long, due to the talent show teaser assemblies that were shown on the half day of school. Students corrected selected problems from Investigation 1 of the Frogs, Fleas and Painted Cubes book, and then turned in the work.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the practice test for concept 13. This three page review is due on Monday, May 16th.

Work Day for Students Who Attended Class

Today, sixth period was quite sparsely populated (only 25 students rather than the usual 49), due to the sub-district track meet. Those who attended class were given time to complete the reflection on page 18 of the Frogs, Fleas and Painted Cube textbook. All work related to the first investigation, including the reflection are due by Monday, May 16th.

Tonight's Homework: Complete the reflection questions on page 18 of the Frogs, Fleas and Painted Cube book.

The Discriminant

Students learned about the discriminant and how this part of the quadratic formula can help with graphing parabolas. Specifically, you can use the discriminant to help you figure out how many times the parabola will cross the x-axis. If the discriminant is greater than 0, the parabola will cross the x-axis twice. If the discriminant is zero, the parabola will touch the x-axis just once. If the discriminant is less than 0, the parabola will never cross the x-axis.

Please refer to pages 180-181 in the Home Book for more information on this topic.

Tonight's Homework: Home Book page 182 (1-15, 18-24 even, and 43-44).

Determining the Line of Symmetry for Parabolic Functions

Today, we spent some time pulling together a few different thoughts on how b impacts the graph of a quadratic equation. Students understood that the b term somehow moved the parabola sideways, but it wasn't as predictable a shift as were the a and c shifts. We derived the equation for the line of symmetry (x=-b/2a) and then discovered the vertex is always on the line of symmetry.

Please refer to pages 168 and 169 in the home book for more information on this.

Tonight's Homework: Home Book page 170 (1-16).

Exploring the Quadratic Equation's Reaction to the "b" Term, Day 2

Students repeated yesterday's investigation with a new "a" value in their quadratic equation. Today, all students used equations where a=-2, and continued to look for patterns denoting how the b value of the equation shifted the parabola.

Tonight's Homework: Continue graphing examples to help you determine how b shifts the parabola on the coordinate grid. Summarize your findings in a well-constructed paragraph, using math vocabulary whenever possible.

Exploring the Quadratic Equation's Reaction to the "b" Term, Day 1

Now that we know how the a and c terms change the location of the parabola on the coordinate grid, it is time to focus on what impact the b term. Students used equations where a>0 and were asked to change the "b" value. Students used the handheld computers to graph these equations and were asked to look for patterns related to how the b value of the equation shifted the parabola.

Tonight's Homework: Continue graphing examples to help you determine how b shifts the parabola on the coordinate grid. Summarize your findings in a well-constructed paragraph, using math vocabulary whenever possible.

Exploring the Quadratic Equation, Day 2

Last week, we discovered that the coefficient of the x squared term dictates two specific things on the parabola it describes. First, it determines if the parabola has a maximum or a minimum value (opens up or opens down). Next, the coefficient also determines how wide or skinny the parabola will be.

Today, we looked at how the c value (constant) alters the placement of the parabola on the coordinate grid. Students used the palms to graph a minimum of 6 different equations (3 where c>0, and 3 where c< 0) to determine if there is a predictable pattern.

Students looked at their graded Concept 12 tests, and then returned them. Most did a great job this time!

Tonight's Homework: Problems 1-3 on page 159 of the home book.