Parabola Construction
Students will construct a parabola using the focus and directrix definition. An extension problem has students explore how the location of the focus with respect to the directrix affects the shape of the parabola.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/parabola-construction_1
Properties of Parabolas
This investigation offers an approach to show students the basic definition of a parabola as the locus of all points equidistant from a fixed point (focus) and a fixed line (directrix). Students will also interpret the equation for a parabola in vertex form and gain a visual understanding of a pa...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/properties-of-parabolas
Particle Motion1
This lesson involves the motion of a particle along a straight, horizontal line.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/particle-motion1
Radical Transformations
Students will use sliders to examine how the square root function is transformed on the coordinate plane.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/radical-transformations_1
Particle Motion 2
This lesson involves the motion of a particle along a straight, horizontal line associated with a general position function.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/particle-motion-2
Parameters in Secondary School: Logistics Functions
Designed for prospective secondary mathematics teachers, this activity has students predict, test and justify the effects of changing parameters d and b for the logistic function family given by f(x) = a/(1+b(e)^(cx)) + d. Reflection questions draw attention to the role of claims and evidence, in...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/parameters-in-secondary-school-logistics-functions
Quadratic Formula and Discriminant
This interactive quiz first steps students through the derivation of the quadratic formula by completing the square, and then generates random quadratics for which students need to show the steps of solving by first finding the value of the discriminant, and then using it in the formula. There ar...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/quadratic-formula-and-discriminant
Remember When
In this activity, students will model the relationship between the year and average income, average price of a house, and average price of a car using exponential functions. Then students will answer questions related to the models to gain a deeper understanding of exponential functions.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/remember-when
NASA - Newton's Cool in the Pool
To prepare for spacewalks, astronauts train at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL). NASA also uses the NBL to develop flight procedures and verify hardware compatibility -- all of which are necessary to achieve mission success. In this problem, students are presented with a power outage, in...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/nasa--newtons-cool-in-the-pool
Compositions Graphically
Students will use graphs and tables to find compositions of functions. Two of the compositions presented in this activity represent real-world situations, which should aid in students understanding the concept of compositions.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/compositions-graphically
Hose Problem
Investigating the behaviour of water jets from a hose. Suitable for Year 10 extension or Year 11 students. Graphing parabolas, features of quadratic functions, regression lines. Using TI-Nspire.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/hose-problem
Complex Numbers: Plotting and Polar Form
This activity is designed for students who have had prior experience with complex numbers. They first refresh their memories of basic operations with complex numbers. Students then learn to plot complex numbers. Students learn the basics of writing complex numbers in their polar forms and compari...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/complex-numbers-plotting-and-polar-form
Investigating the Graphs of Quadratic Equations
A graph of a quadratic equation will be shown. Also shown is the equation of the parabola in vertex form: y = a*(x - h)^(2) + v. And an ordered pair for one the points on the parabola will be shown on the screen. Use the pointer tool to double click on the equation on the graph screen. This wil...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/investigating-the-graphs-of-quadratic-equations
Combinations
This activity introduces students to combinations. They derive the formula for the number of combinations of n objects taken r at a time by starting with a list of permutations and eliminating those that name the same group, just in a different order. From here they see how the number of combinat...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/combinations
Constructing an Ellipse
Students will explore two different methods for constructing an ellipse. Students discover that the sum of the distances from a point on an ellipse to its foci is always constant. This fact is then used as the basis for an algebraic derivation of the general equation for an ellipse centered at th...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/constructing-an-ellipse_1
Why is the Sky Blue and When Will We Ever Use This?
Have you ever tried to come up with a real life example for a rational function with an exponent to the negative four? Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue? Here is a short example of the uses of a rational function.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/why-is-the-sky-blue-and-when-will-we-ever-use-this
When Is Tangent, tangent?
This activity combines the ideas of unit circle, and a line tangent to the unit circle to explain how Tangent (the trig. ratio) is related to the concept of tangent to a figure (from geometry). The intent is to briefly explore the mathematical history of the trigonometric ratio "tangent" through ...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/when-is-tangent-tangent
Given the Graph of a Parabola, State its Equation in Vertex Form
This activity is designed for students to study on their own. It is designed in a 'StudyCard' format. A graph of a parabola will be shown. The student is asked to find the equation of the parabola in vertex form: y = a*(x - h)^(2) + v. Press enter on the double up arrow in the Ans... section t...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/given-the-graph-of-a-parabola-state-its-equation-in-vertex-form
Factoring Trinomials
Discover how the coefficients of a given trinomial affect the factors.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/factoring-trinomials
Solving Systems using Elimination
Solve systems of three equations using the elimination method.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/solving-systems-using-elimination
Solving Systems of Linear Equations from Four Perspectives
Using the on-screen directions and the more detailed directions here, students will investigate four ways to solve systems of linear equations: graphically, numerically, with a data table and by matrices. Some prior familiarity with the basic functions of the TI-nspire CAS is needed. Students sho...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/solving-systems-of-linear-equations-from-four-perspectives
Drawing Dynamic Vectors with NSpire
This is a "how to" file for drawing vectors with a split screen with NSpire.https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/drawing-dynamic-vectors-with-nspire
Exploring the Cycloid Curve
The TI Nspire's animation feature is used to show how a point on a rotating circle creates the cycloid curve. Students then examine the parametric equation of the cycloid. Finally, students are tasked with going online to investigate the terms brachistochronous and tautochronous and their relat...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/exploring-the-cycloid-curve
Equations of Parabolas
Students draw and measure lines and segments to discover properties of parabolas, specifically that the distance from any point on the parabola is equidistant to the focus and the directrix. They work with parabolas whose vertex is on the origin as well as off the origin and they also with parabo...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/equations-of-parabolas
Vernier - What Causes the Seasons?
In this activity, students' will explore how the tilt of the earth's axis results in different amounts of solar radiation at different times of the year, causing seasons. They will simulate the earth's warming using a light bulb that will shine on a Temperature Probe attached to a globe, and inve...https://education.ti.com/en/activity/detail/vernier--what-causes-the-seasons