Education Technology

Zeros of a Quadratic Function

Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Quadratic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
4.5
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS

Zeros of a Quadratic Function

Activity Overview

Merge graphical and algebraic representations of a quadratic function and its linear factors.

Objectives

  • Students will determine the linear factors of a quadratic function.
  • Students will connect the algebraic representation to the geometric representation.
  • Students will discover that the zeros of the linear factors are the zeros of the quadratic function.
  • Students will discover that the zeros of the quadratic function are the zeros of its linear factors.

Vocabulary

  • zeros

About the Lesson

This lesson involves merging graphical and algebraic representations of a quadratic function and its linear factors. As a result, students will:

  • Manipulate the parameters of the linear functions and observe the resulting changes in the quadratic function.
  • Find the zeros of the quadratic function by finding the zeros of its linear factors.
  • Solve quadratic equations by factoring and be able to explain why this process is valid.

Subject Area
Math: Algebra I: Quadratic Functions
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
4.5
Resource Types
Lessons
Format
TNS
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