West Contra Costa Unified School District
Matching Quadratic Functions
Ever sigh when learners ask why they have to know so many different forms of the quadratic equation? Here is a lesson that comes in handy! Using hands-on matching activities, quadratic equations are explored through...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Using Derivatives to Graph Polynomials
You can learn to graph as well as a calculator using calculus. The lesson introduces using derivatives to find critical points needed to graph polynomials. Pupils learn to find local maximums and minimums and intervals of increase...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Solving Radical Equations
How can you make solving radical equations more engaging? Provide your math class with a hands-on activity that focuses on solving radical equations with flash cards. A warm-up and exit ticket flank direct instruction of the steps...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Linear-Quadratic Systems
Why do I have to learn two different ways to solve linear-quadratic systems? Isn't one way enough? Learners first investigate the three possible situations for linear-quadratic systems (two, one, or zero solutions), then solve such...
Curated OER
Sunken Treasure
You've located buried treasure, now what? Explore how to use algebraic and geometric methods to determine where to place a recovery ship based on the location of the treasure.
EngageNY
Nature of Solutions of a System of Linear Equations
If at first you cannot graph, substitute. The lesson introduces the substitution method as a way to solve linear systems if the point of intersection is hard to determine from a graph. The 28th installment of a 33-part series finishes...
Virginia Department of Education
Solving and Graphing Inequalities
You can't go wrong with a lesson plan that involves candy! Learners solve and graph one-variable inequalities and use candy to graph the solution. Individuals associate open circle graphs with life savers and closed circle graphs with...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Arithmetic Series
Fall for a series. Learners determine how to find out how far a skydiver falls in the first 20 seconds. The Algebra II instructional activity introduces the idea of adding up the terms of an arithmetic sequence. Pupils learn how to use...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Solving a System by Substitution
Solving systems by substitution can be a challenging topic in algebra I. Here is a lesson that builds on students' understanding of intercepts to begin the process of substitution, and all work is reinforced graphically to build...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Simplifying Radicals – Day 1
It doesn't get simpler than this. Scholars first learn to simplify radicals by determining the prime factors of the radicand. The lesson progresses to simplifying radicals involving algebraic expressions in the radicand.
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Average Rate of Change
The concept of slope gets an approachable, yet theoretical, treatment in a comprehensive algebra lesson. The use of functional notation and problem-solving techniques keep the material rigorous, but detailed teaching notes and lots of...
National Security Agency
Equations and Expressions
Learners demonstrate their knowledge pictorially, concretely, and abstractly in this unit meant to last three hours over three days. Using hands-on activities, manipulatives, real-world applications, and problem...
Virginia Department of Education
Determining Direct Variation
Once learners realize what direct variation is, they see it's just a type of linear function. The activity poses a general question that leads to the creation of the y = kx formula. The resource includes discussion prompts and ideas for...
EngageNY
Criterion for Perpendicularity
The Pythagorean Theorem is a geometry pupil's best friend! Learners explain the equation a1b1 + a2b2 = 0 for perpendicular segments using the Pythagorean Theorem. They are able to identify perpendicular segments using their...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Interest and the Number “e”
Make a connection between different types of interest and how they are calculated! This algebra II lesson progresses from simple interest to compound interest to continually compounded interest. Formulas are developed rather than given,...
BW Walch
Creating Linear Equations in One Variable
The example of two travelers meeting somewhere along the road has been a stereotypical joke about algebra as long as algebra has existed. Here in this detailed presentation, this old trope gets a careful and approachable treatment....
EngageNY
Linear Transformations as Matrices
Don't stop with two-dimensional learning, go to the next dimension! Learners verify that 3x3 matrices represent linear transformations in the third dimension. Additionally, they verify the algebraic properties that extend to vector...
EngageNY
Tangent Lines and the Tangent Function
Construct tangent lines and make the connection to tangent functions. An informative instructional activity reviews the geometry origins of the tangent function. Pupils use that information to determine how to construct a tangent to a...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Investigating the Discriminant
When is finding the discriminant enough? Using the quadratic formula helps find solutions to quadratic equations, but there are times when just using the discriminant is appropriate. Use this algebra II lesson to help classes see...
Shodor Education Foundation
InteGreat
Hands-on investigation of Riemann sums becomes possible without intensive arithmetic gymnastics with this interactive lesson plan. Learners manipulate online graphing tools to develop and test theories about right, left, and...
EngageNY
Complex Numbers as Vectors
Show your math class how to use vectors in adding complex numbers. Vectors represent complex numbers as opposed to points in the coordinate plane. The class uses the geometric representation to add and subtract complex numbers and...
Charleston School District
Solving Systems with Substitutions
How many large and small watermelons did he sell? Just use the given information to write and solve a system of equations! The two videos accompanying the lesson explain the substitution method and then introduce problem solving. The...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Generalizing Patterns: Table Tiles
As part of a study of geometric patterns, scholars complete an assessment task determining the number of tiles needed to cover a tabletop. They then evaluate provided sample responses to see different ways to solve the same...
Virginia Department of Education
Rational Functions: Intercepts, Asymptotes, and Discontinuity
Discover different patterns by making connections between a rational function and its graph. An engaging instructional activity asks scholars to explore the behavior of different rational functions. Groups discover a connection...