In this culminating project, you will use your knowledge of quadratic equations in different forms to solve problems.
In the first activity, you will be given a graph of a quadratic function and asked to write the function in factored form. Next, you will determine how many solutions a function has based on an understanding of its factored form. You will also be asked to explain the characteristics of the graph of a quadratic function with no solution.
In the second activity, you will work in pairs to rewrite quadratic expressions in factored and standard form using the strategies learned in the unit.
Finally, in the third activity, you will find the specific equation in standard form of a quadratic function that has certain zeros and passes through a particular point, given a real-world situation. Then, you will use the equation to make a prediction about the situation, given the context of the problem.
Project Activities
- Relating the Graphs of Quadratic Equations to Their Factored Form by Their Zeros
- Converting Between Factored Form and Standard Form
- Modeling Rocket Flight Using a Quadratic Equation
Learning Targets
When you finish this project, you will have demonstrated how to:
- Explain why quadratic equations can have no solutions and explain why there are none.
- Recognize quadratic equations that have zero, one, or two solutions when they are written in factored form.
- Write equivalent expressions in factored form when given quadratic expressions of the form ax2 + bx + c and 𝑎 is not 1.
- Use the intercept form of a quadratic function to define a specific function given its zeros and a point.