Activity Overview
Students explore the vertex form of the parabola and discover how this form shows both the location of the vertex and the width and direction of the curve. They predict the location of the vertex of a parabola based on the quadratic function.
Before the Activity
Install the Transformation Graphing Application on the calculator using one of these two methods:TI Connect™, a TI Connectivity Cable, and the Unit-to-Unit Link Cable
TI-Navigator™ "send to class" feature
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity Print pages 29 - 37 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to your class.
Follow the activity procedures:
Start the Transformation Graphing application
Graph a quadratic equation on the calculator and record the coordinates of its vertex and the direction in which the curve opens
Enter the general vertex form of a quadratic equation and identify the relationship between the values of A, B, and C (the coefficients) and the vertex and magnitude of the graph
Observe the direction in which the graph opens, and determine the maximum / minimum values
After the Activity
Students will complete the Student Worksheet and answer questions listed in it.
Review student results
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary