EngageNY
Graphing the Tangent Function
Help learners discover the unique characteristics of the tangent function. Working in teams, pupils create tables of values for different intervals of the tangent function. Through teamwork, they discover the periodicity, frequency, and...
Project Maths
Trigonometric Functions
From a circle to a cycle! The final lesson of a five-part series challenges learners to use points from the unit circle to plot a repeating pattern. The repeating patterns become the graphs of the trigonometric functions. Scholars...
EngageNY
Piecewise Functions
Show your class members that if they can graph a linear function, they can graph an absolute value function. Groups create an absolute value graph using a table, then entertain the idea of an absolute value function defined as two...
101 Questions
Penny Circle
Watch as your classes buy into a rich lesson full of information. A video opener challenges individuals to determine the number of pennies that fit in a circle with a 22-inch diameter. Using lesson materials, scholars collect data and...
101 Questions
Coins in a Circle
Round and round you'll go! Learners watch as different-sized circles fill with coins. They collect data and then make a prediction about the number of coins that will fit in a large circular rug.
Mathematics Vision Project
Module 6: Trigonometric Functions
Create trigonometric functions from circles. The first lesson of the module begins by finding coordinates along a circular path created by a Ferris Wheel. As the lessons progress, pupils graph trigonometric functions and relate them to...
EngageNY
From Circle-ometry to Trigonometry
Can you use triangles to create a circle? Learners develop the unit circle using right triangle trigonometry. They then use the unit circle to evaluate common sine and cosine values.
Illustrative Mathematics
Seven Circles III
A basic set-up leads to a surprisingly complex analysis in this variation on the question of surrounding a central circle with a ring of touching circles. Useful for putting trigonometric functions in a physical context, as well as...
Mt. San Antonio Collage
Quiz 1: Types of Functions
Sometimes the best things are already done for you! Here is a six-problem quiz that has a variety of problems ranging from solving quadratic equations to interpreting a function. The piece-de-resistance is the worked out answer key in...
EngageNY
Secant and the Co-Functions
Turn your class upside down as they explore the reciprocal functions. Scholars use the unit circle to develop the definition of the secant and cosecant functions. They analyze the domain, range, and end behavior of each function.
EngageNY
Graphing the Sine and Cosine Functions
Doing is more effective than watching. Learners use spaghetti to discover the relationship between the unit circle and the graph of the sine and cosine functions. As they measure lengths on the unit circle and transfer them to a...
Mathematics Vision Project
Circles and Other Conics
Through a variety of hands-on activities and physical scenarios, this far-reaching unit leads learners through an exceptionally thorough exploration of circles and parabolas as conic sections. Geometric construction techniques are used...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Comparing Rational Functions and Simplified Functions
What kind of functions have holes in their graphs? Here, the teacher guides the class on how to use the simplified function of a rational function to aid in the graphing of the original rational function. T-tables are used in order...
Project Maths
The Unit Circle
It's not just any circle—it's the unit circle. The fourth lesson in the series is an introduction to the famous unit circle. While working through a series of activities, young scholars learn the components of the unit circle and how to...
EngageNY
Ferris Wheels—Using Trigonometric Functions to Model Cyclical Behavior
Have class members going in circles as they model the path of a Ferris Wheel using trigonometric functions. Building on the previous lesson plan in this series on transformations, learners use trigonometric functions to model wheels...
EngageNY
Comparing Quadratic, Square Root, and Cube Root Functions Represented in Different Ways
Need a real scenario to compare functions? This lesson has it all! Through application, individuals model using different types of functions. They analyze each in terms of the context using the key features of the graphs.
EngageNY
The Height and Co-Height Functions of a Ferris Wheel
Show learners the power of mathematics as they model real-life designs. Pupils graph a periodic function by comparing the degree of rotation to the height of a ferris wheel.
EngageNY
Why Call It Tangent?
Discover the relationship between tangent lines and the tangent function. Class members develop the idea of the tangent function using the unit circle. They create tables of values and explore the domain, range, and end behavior of...
Curated OER
Triangles Inscribed in a Circle
Are you tired of answers without understanding? Learners can give a correct response, but do they really understand the concept? Have young mathematicians think deeper about linear functions, angles, and formulas in algebra....
Mt. San Antonio Collage
Graphing Trigonometric Functions
Double win with a comprehensive instructional activity and an excellent worked out answer key. The instructional activity itself is twelve pages and begins with the simple sine and cosine graphs, then, develops into the reciprocal trig...
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...
Penn Museum
Penn Museum: China Gallery
Invite your learners to take a closer look at the art and mathematical function of dome buildings as designed by the ancient Romans. In the next segment of this attractive worksheet set, your young historians will then learn about...
EngageNY
Properties of Tangents
You know about the tangent function, but what are tangent lines to a circle? Learners investigate properties of tangents through constructions. They determine that tangents are perpendicular to the radius at the point of tangency,...
Virginia Department of Education
May I Have Fries with That?
Not all pie graphs are about pies. The class conducts a survey on favorite fast food categories in a lesson on data representation. Pupils use the results to create a circle graph.