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...
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Irrational Exponents—What are 2^√2 and 2^π?
Extend the concept of exponents to irrational numbers. In the fifth installment of a 35-part module, individuals use calculators and rational exponents to estimate the values of 2^(sqrt(2)) and 2^(pi). The final goal is to show that the...
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Euler’s Number, e
Scholars model the height of water in a container with an exponential function and apply average rates of change to this function. The main attraction of the lesson plan is the discovery of Euler's number.
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Bacteria and Exponential Growth
It's scary how fast bacteria can grow — exponentially. Class members solve exponential equations, including those modeling bacteria and population growth. Lesson emphasizes numerical approaches rather than graphical or algebraic.
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The Zero Product Property
Zero in on your pupils' understanding of solving quadratic equations. Spend time developing the purpose of the zero product property so that young mathematicians understand why the equations should be set equal to zero and how that...
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Solving Basic One-Variable Quadratic Equations
Help pupils to determine whether using square roots is the method of choice when solving quadratic equations by presenting a lesson that begins with a dropped object example and asks for a solution. This introduction to solving by...
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Using the Quadratic Formula
What is the connection between the quadratic formula and the types of solutions of a quadratic equation? Guide young mathematicians through this discovery as they use the discriminant to determine the number and types of solutions,...
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Solution Sets for Equations and Inequalities
How many ways can you represent solutions to an equation? Guide your class through the process of solving equations and representing solutions. Solutions are described in words, as a solution set, and graphed on a number line....
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Recursive Formulas for Sequences
Provide Algebra I learners with a logical approach to making connections between the types of sequences and formulas with a lesson that uses what class members know about explicit formulas to develop an understanding of...
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Building Logarithmic Tables
Thank goodness we have calculators to compute logarithms. Pupils use calculators to create logarithmic tables to estimate values and use these tables to discover patterns (properties). The second half of the instructional activity has...
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The Most Important Property of Logarithms
Won't the other properties be sad to learn that they're not the most important? The 11th installment of a 35-part module is essentially a continuation of the previous lesson, using logarithm tables to develop properties. Scholars...
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Solving Logarithmic Equations
Of course you're going to be solving an equation—it's algebra class after all. The 14th installment of a 35-part module first has pupils converting logarithmic equations into equivalent exponential equations. The conversion allows for...
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Why Were Logarithms Developed?
Show your class how people calculated complex math problems in the old days. Scholars take a trip back to the days without calculators in the 15th installment of a 35-part module. They use logarithms to determine products of numbers and...
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Graphing the Logarithmic Function
Teach collaboration and communication skills in addition to graphing logarithmic functions. Scholars in different groups graph different logarithmic functions by hand using provided coordinate points. These graphs provide the basis for...
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The Graph of the Natural Logarithm Function
If two is company and three's a crowd, then what's e? Scholars observe how changes in the base affect the graph of a logarithmic function. They then graph the natural logarithm function and learn that all logarithmic functions can be...
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Choosing a Model
There's a function for that! Scholars examine real-world situations to determine which type of function would best model the data in the 23rd installment of a 35-part module. It involves considering the nature of the data in addition to...
EngageNY
Bean Counting
Why do I have to do bean counting if I'm not going to become an accountant? The 24th installment of a 35-part module has the class conducting experiments using beans to collect data. Learners use exponential functions to model this...
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Modeling with Exponential Functions
These aren't models made of clay. Young mathematicians model given population data using exponential functions. They consider different models and choose the best one.
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Exploiting the Connection to Trigonometry 1
Class members use the powers of multiplication in the 19th installment of the 32-part unit has individuals to utilize what they know about the multiplication of complex numbers to calculate the integral powers of a complex...
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Exploiting the Connection to Trigonometry 2
The class checks to see if the formula for finding powers of a complex number works to find the roots too. Pupils review the previous day's work and graph on the polar grid. The discussion leads the class to think about...
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Deriving the Quadratic Formula
Where did that formula come from? Lead pupils on a journey through completing the square to discover the creation of the quadratic formula. Individuals use the quadratic formula to solve quadratic equations and compare the method to...
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Graphing Cubic, Square Root, and Cube Root Functions
Is there a relationship between powers and roots? Here is a lesson that asks individuals to examine the graphical relationship. Pupils create a table of values and then graph a square root and quadratic equation. They repeat the process...
EngageNY
Representing, Naming, and Evaluating Functions (Part 2)
Notation in mathematics can be intimidating. Use this lesson to expose pupils to the various ways of representing a function and the accompanying notation. The material also addresses the importance of including a domain if necessary....
University of Nottingham
Modeling Conditional Probabilities: 2
Bring the concept of conditional probability alive by allowing your classes to explore different probability scenarios. Many tasks have multiple solutions that encourage students to continue exploring their problems even after a solution...