Curated OER
Factors
Factoring numbers helps prepare scholars for fractions and algebra, so build confidence by drilling this skill and promoting reflection in the process. Scholars start by listing factors for 18 numbers, none of which exceed 30. Next, they...
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Factors of Numbers from 1 to 30
Finding factors is an integral skill on the road to fractions and algebra. Scholars write down a factor list for nine numbers up to 30. Next, they examine provided lists and circle the numbers that are factors of eight more numbers, also...
Illustrative Mathematics
Transforming the graph of a function
This activity guides learners through an exploration of common transformations of the graph of a function. Given the graph of a function f(x), students generate the graphs of f(x + c), f(x) + c, and cf(x) for...
Illustrative Mathematics
Box of Clay
What happens to a volume when you scale the dimensions of a rectangular prism? In this problem, a box of clay is increased in each dimension, with the intent to see if learners can generalize the result. The addition of...
Illustrative Mathematics
Chocolate Bar Sales
In this real-world example, algebra learners start to get a sense of how to represent the relationship between two variables in different ways. They start by looking at a partial table of values that define a linear relationship. They...
Illustrative Mathematics
Busy Day
This activity gets at the heart of algebraic reasoning and setting up equations with one variable to solve real-world problems. The worksheet has only one problem, but it requires that learners first use their own reasoning...
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Heart Rate Monitoring
Algebra learners like this resource because it is easy to understand and it relates to their lives. Whether you are starting a new workout routine, or just climbing the stairs, your heart rate increases and decreases throughout the day....
Illustrative Mathematics
Find the Change
This exercise is an opportunity for algebra learners to understand the connection between the slope of a line and points found on the line. Use similar triangles to explain why slope m is the same between any two points. Discuss with the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Equations and Formulas
Your class is asked to use inverse operations to solve eleven equations for unknown variables or to rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest. By using the same reasoning as solving one- and two-step equations, algebra...
Illustrative Mathematics
Peaches and Plums
According to the resource graph, which costs more: peaches or plums? Algebra learners compare two proportional relationships and then throw in a banana. Leaving out the scale helps young scholars become intuitive about graphing.
Illustrative Mathematics
Equivalent Expressions
Here is a straight-forward problem of multiplying two binomials with a twist. It is up to algebra learners to decide how to turn this product of sums into a sum of products. However, it is not the quadratic that is the answer; it is the...
Curated OER
Course of Antibiotics
This model of the amount of anibiotics in a person's system is represented abstractly by a finite geometric series. Learners translate this real-life situation into algebraic form and then extend their knowlege by answering questions...
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How Much Folate?
This task includes scaffolding to support the introduction of the writing and graphing of linear inequalities. Then your geometry learners discover that writing down all possible combinations is not feasible so they are led to use...
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Cantor Set
Discover an interesting mathematical object that your algebra learners will enjoy investigating. Their adventure will lead them to the generation of a finite geometric series.
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Two Points Determine an Exponential Function II
Your algebra learners will build an exponential equation given a graph with two specific points labeled.
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Compounding with a 5% Interest Rate
The balance in an account continuously compounding interest is the context of this engaging task. Your young accountants will investigate the ending balance in an account as they compound the interest more and more. Learners write the...
Curated OER
Sum of Even and Odd
Your algebra learners will make use of structure and manipulate expressions involving function notation using the definition of odd and even functions. They then advance even further to analyze the structure in a system of two equations.
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Susita's Account
Your algebra high schoolers double their money monthly in this task based on a checking account balance. Learners write an equation to model the situation and then use their model to answer contextual questions.
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Parabolas and Inverse Functions
Your Algebra learners will explore what equations are functions or not functions and how to alter the domain to produce a possibility for the relations being a function with a limitted domain.
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Exponential Growth Versus Linear Growth I
Your algebra learners will discover how quickly an exponential function value grows compared to a linear function's value. Making a table of values helps in this comparison, set in the context of making a wage for raking leaves.
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Exponential Functions
Your algebra learners analyze and interpret the general form and the graph of two functions. The increase of the function due to the multiplicative factor is emphasized.
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Exponential Growth versus Polynomial Growth
Your algebra learners explore the values of two types of functions in order to compare growth rates in this short cooperative task. Two types of solutions are given, using a table of values and an abstract argument.
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Exponential Growth versus Linear Growth II
Your algebra learners discover that exponential functions, with a base larger than one, outgrow linear functions when the inputs increase sufficiently. Their analysis includes using a graphing calculator to produce tables.
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What Functions do Two Graph Points Determine?
Your algebra learners write linear, exponential, and quadratic equations containing the same two graph points in this collaborative task.