Activity Overview
Students draw a dynamic graph of the quadratic function ax2 + bx + c with interactive parameters a, b, and c. They understand that there is only one graph of the function that changes dynamically as the values of the parameters change.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 56 - 59 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Define the domain of the independent variable
Scale the function and save the scale factor
Define the function and draw it
Draw lines perpendicular to the points on the x and y axis representing the independent and dependent values of the function
Understand that the intersection of these two perpendicular lines is a point on the graph of the function
Drag the point on the x-axis to see whether the point of intersection follows the path of the graph
Explore the graph of the function interactively
After the Activity
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary