Activity Overview
In this activity, students explore the standard form of a quadratic equation, y = ax 2 + bx + c. They explore how the x-intercepts (zeros), y-intercept, and vertex are related to the graph of the standard form of a quadratic function.
Before the Activity
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 49 - 53 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Define and graph a quadratic equation
Determine the values of the x-intercepts
Observe that these are the points where the graph crosses the x-axis
Determine the value of the y-intercept
Observe that this is the point where the graph crosses the y-axis
Determine the coordinates of the vertex, the point with the lowest value of y
Find the value of y for x = -4, -1, 0, and 2
Find the zeros and factors of the expression
Find the zeros of the factors
Observe that the zeros of each factor and zeros of the function are the same, and also the zeros of the function and the x-intercept are the same
Observe that the x-intercepts can be found without graphing, by first finding the factors, and then finding their zeros
Observe that the value of y when x = 0 and the y-intercept are the same
After the Activity
Students complete the Student Activity sheet.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary