Teacher Resources

In this module, students will examine various representations of quadratic functions and develop an appreciation for each as they use them to model situations. Students will rewrite quadratic functions that are presented in standard form into factored and vertex forms. This self-paced module is aligned to Maryland Common Core State Curriculum Framework for Algebra I.

This module contains several interactive features. Watch the Learn How to Use this Module tutorial to familiarize yourself with these features.

Please review the Accessibility page for all of your students.

Module Information

  • Grade Band: Algebra 1, Grades 7-12
  • Topic: Different Representations and Structures of Quadratic Functions
  • Completion Time: 10 - 20 minutes
  • Vocabulary: Visit the Glossary page for definitions of key vocabulary in this module.
  • Focus Standards:
    • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSA.SSE.A.2 - Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it. For example, see x to the 4th minus y to the 4th as the quantity of x squared squared minus the quantity of y squared squared, thus recognizing it as a difference of squares that can be factored as the quantity of x squared minus y squared times the quantity x squared plus y squared.
    • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSA.SSE.B.3 - Choose and produce an equivalent form of an expression to reveal and explain properties of the quantity represented by the expression.
  • Skills
    • Use the zeros of a quadratic function to write the function in factored form.
    • Use the vertex of a quadratic function to write the function in vertex form.
    • Apply algebraic techniques to write a given quadratic function in factored form, standard form and vertex form.

Student Resources for this Module

In this module, students are provided with a link to an external website(s). The site has been chosen for its content and grade-level appropriateness. Efforts are made to minimize linking to websites that contain advertisements or comments, but some websites may contain these features. Teachers should preview all websites before introducing the activities to students and adhere to their school system's policy for Internet use. In addition, multimedia on these externally linked sites may not be accessible to all users, such as those individuals requiring a screen reader or using a tablet.

Students can follow the instruction below for Texas Instrument resources on how to graph inequalities in their calculators.

Once on the home page, proceed with the following steps:

Texas Instruments Opens a new window

  1. Click Products in the top menu.
  2. Click the Calculators & Education Technology link.
  3. Click Support in the top menu.
  4. Scroll down to the middle of the page under Self-Service Knowledge Base and click Learn More.
  5. Click the Product Usage link.
  6. Click the TI-83 Family, TI-84 Family, or TI-Nspire™ Handheld in TI-84 Plus Mode link.
  7. Click the Graphics and Drawing link.
  8. Scroll through the list and choose the instructions that you need.

You may also review instructions in the TI-84 Plus Guidebook. Proceed with the following steps to access the guidebook:

Once on the home page, proceed with the following steps:

  1. Click Products in the top menu.
  2. Click the Calculators & Education Technology link.
  3. Click Downloads in the top menu, and select Guidebooks.
  4. Click the Find Your Guidebook link near the bottom of the page.
  5. Select the appropriate guidebook for your graphing calculator.

Using This Site

This lesson is built for use on classroom computers and tablets. If you have access to a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or an interactive whiteboard in your classroom, you may complete the lesson in your classroom. Otherwise, you will need to schedule time to use your school's computer lab. For technical specifications, see below.

Some activities on this site may include videos and narration, so you may want to have headphones available for students working at individual stations. For best results in viewing the videos and interactives, you should have a high-speed, stable Internet connection.

This lesson may contain PDFs for students to complete. They can print the PDFs and fill them out by hand, or download the files and fill them out on the computer. Most or all portions can be filled out online. Please check with your Instructional Technology Specialist for instructions on downloading the PDF. (Note that to complete the PDFs on the computer, you will need a viewer, such as Adobe Reader, that supports forms.)

Technology

This site is an Internet-based activity, and it was built to run on the following computer operating systems and browsers:

  • Windows 7 or Newer: IE 8, 9, 10, 11; Current version of Chrome; Current version of Firefox
  • Mac OS 10.7 or Newer: Current version of Safari
  • iPad2/iOS6 or Newer: Current version of Safari
  • Android 4.0 or Newer: Current version of Android browser
  • Chromebook: Current version of Chrome

Users running Internet Explorer 8 will not be able to use the highlighter tool. Instead, teachers should consider partnering students for a brief discussion.

Visit the Accessibility page for detailed information on the site's accessibility features.