Virginia Department of Education
Nonlinear Systems of Equations
Explore nonlinear systems through graphs and algebra. High schoolers begin by examining the different types of quadratic functions and their possible intersections. They then use algebraic methods to solve systems containing various...
Inside Mathematics
Functions
A function is like a machine that has an input and an output. Challenge scholars to look at the eight given points and determine the two functions that would fit four of the points each — one is linear and the other non-linear. The...
Texas Instruments
Finding Linear Models Part III
Explore linear functions! In this Algebra I lesson, mathematicians graph data in a scatter plot and use a graphing calculator to find a linear regression and/or a median-median line. They use the model to make predictions.
Virginia Department of Education
Logarithmic Modeling
Explore logarithms and logarithmic regression. Young mathematicians first learn about inverse functions and about the logarithm function family. They take their newfound knowledge to use logarithmic functions to model situations and...
Curated OER
A Model Solar System
If Earth is modeled by a grapefruit, what planet could be represented by a golf ball? This activity uses everyday and not-so-everyday objects to create a model of the Solar System.
Curated OER
Three Methods for Using Quadratic Functions to Model Data
In this modeling data worksheet, students use quadratic functions to model data using three different methods. This worksheet provides explanations and an example. Additionally, students are given the steps to find the maximum or...
Inside Mathematics
Graphs (2007)
Challenge the class to utilize their knowledge of linear and quadratic functions to determine the intersection of the parent quadratic graph and linear proportional graphs. Using the pattern for the solutions, individuals develop a...
Balanced Assessment
Monitor Pricing
Out with the old and in with the new. Learners use a set of prices of computer monitors from 1994 to make a prediction. They then use one current price and what they know about the old prices to make a more recent prediction. Their...
Virginia Department of Education
Exponential Modeling
Investigate exponential growth and decay. A set of six activities has pupils collecting and researching data in a variety of situations involving exponential relationships. They model these situations with exponential functions and solve...
Curated OER
Topic 3.5 & 3.6: Linear Programming
In this linear programming worksheet, high schoolers define variables and write a system of inequalities for the given situation. They model the solution through graphing. This two-page worksheet contains six multi-step word problems.
Balanced Assessment
Garages and Phones
Examine and compare a linear and step function. The task provides two scenarios, one modeled by a linear function and the other a step function. Pupils create a graph for each and explain how each compares to the other.
Illustrative Mathematics
Households
Use an inverse linear function to interpolate a point. Presented with the number of households over a period of year, pupils find a linear function that will be a model. Class members determine the inverse of the linear function and use...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Writing Exponential Functions Based on Data
Give your class a concrete example of exponential growth and decay using this hands-on activity. These Algebra II lessons allow for the exploration of exponential growth and decay models, as well as the discovery of the patterns of each....
Concord Consortium
Rising Prices
What will that cost in the future? The scenario provides pupils with a growth as a Consumer Price Index. Learners create functions for a given item to determine future prices and graph them. Class members then compare their functions to...
Concord Consortium
Systematic Solution I
Writing a general rule to model a specific pattern is a high-level skill. Your classes practice the important skill as they write rules describing the solutions to a system of equations with variable coefficients. As an added challenge,...
Inside Mathematics
Sorting Functions
Graph A goes with equation C, but table B. The short assessment task requires class members to match graphs with their corresponding tables, equations, and verbalized rules. Pupils then provide explanations on the process they used to...
Achieve
Ivy Smith Grows Up
Babies grow at an incredible rate! Demonstrate how to model growth using a linear function. Learners build the function from two data points, and then use the function to make predictions.
Curated OER
Systems of Equations and Inequalities
This is a comprehensive lesson on creating and solving equations and systems of equations and inequalities. Problems range from basic linear equations to more complex systems of equations and inequalities based on a real-world examples....
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.
Concord Consortium
It's In the Mail
It's time to check the mail! The task is to determine the most cost-effective way to mail a packet of information. Young scholars write an equation that models the amount of postage as a function of the number of sheets mailed and...
Balanced Assessment
Melons and Melon Juice
Model the difference between the graphs of discrete and continuous functions. Scholars examine two scenarios and construct graphs to model the situation. They then compare their graphs that illustrate the subtle difference between these...
Concord Consortium
Bill the Ball Bearing Man
Just how durable could a hollow ball bearing be? Learners model the strength of the walls of a ball bearing as a function of the radius of its cavity. They use their models to make reasonable conclusions about the probability of failure...
Inside Mathematics
Graphs (2004)
Show your pupils that perimeter is linear and area is quadratic in nature with a short assessment task that requests learners to connect the graph and equation to a description about perimeter or area. Scholars then provide a...
Curated OER
Stochastic and Deterministic Modeling
Explore the difference between stochastic and deterministic modeling through programming. First have the class write algorithms for relatively simple tasks using pseudocode. Use the Python 2.7 program app to simulate Mendel's Pea Pod...