West Contra Costa Unified School District
Evaluating Functions
Functions as inputs for other functions? After reviewing function notation and how to input values to evaluate functions, class members input functions into functions, essentially determining the composition of functions.
Mathematics Assessment Project
Modeling Motion: Rolling Cups
Connect the size of a rolling cup to the size of circle it makes. Pupils view videos of cups of different sizes rolling in a circle. Using the videos and additional data, they attempt to determine a relationship between cup measurements...
American Society for Microbiology
”Build a Bacterium” Scavenger Hunt
An exciting activity has scholars use cell parts to build bacteria through cooperation with other groups. Each group has some of the cell parts needed, but they must trade with other groups to be able to fulfill their function as a...
College Board
Random Variables vs. Algebraic Variables
Variables can vary in meaning. A reference material for AP® Statistics explains the difference between random and algebraic variables. It provides a hypothetical situation involving dice—great for use in a classroom situation.
American Statistical Association
A Sweet Task
Candy is always an effective motivator! A fun math activity uses M&M's and Skittles to explore two-way frequency tables and conditional probability. The candy can serve a dual purpose as manipulatives and experimental data.
Achieve
Task: Storage Sheds
Bridge the gap between mathematics and Career Technical Education. Pupils research the cost associated with building storage sheds and analyze possible profit. They build scale models and determine if building and selling the sheds is a...
Achieve
Yogurt Packaging
Food companies understand how to use math to their advantage. Learners explore the math related to the packaging and serving size of yogurt. They then use unit analysis and percent values to make decisions on the product development.
EngageNY
Perimeter and Area of Triangles in the Cartesian Plane
Pupils figure out how to be resourceful when tasked with finding the area of a triangle knowing nothing but its endpoints. Beginning by exploring and decomposing a triangle, learners find the perimeter and area of a triangle. They then...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Estimating Volume: The Money Munchers
Don't stuff money under your mattress. To find out why learners first complete a task determining how $24,000 in cash would affect the height of a mattress and whether this same amount would fit into a suitcase of given dimensions. They...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Increasing and Decreasing Quantities by a Percent
As part of a study of percent and percent change, learners first complete an assessment task with several percent change problems. They then complete an activity using cards to create a diagram expressing percent increases and decreases...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Estimating Length Using Scientific Notation
Would you rather have a million dollars or 1 x 10^6 dollars? To find the answer to this question, class members first complete an assessment task converting numbers between decimal notation and scientific notation. They then take part in...
EngageNY
Comparing Quadratic, Square Root, and Cube Root Functions Represented in Different Ways
Need a real scenario to compare functions? This lesson has it all! Through application, individuals model using different types of functions. They analyze each in terms of the context using the key features of the graphs.
PBL Pathways
Total Cost to Produce the Turbo Blender
Class members blend their knowledge of functions and problem-solving skills to provide business advice to the Turbo Blender manufacturers. Through a project-based approach, learners examine marginal cost data to produce a function. They...
PBL Pathways
Students and Teachers 2
Examine trends in student-to-teacher ratios over time. Building from the first task in the two-part series, classes now explore the pattern of student-to-teacher ratios using a non-linear function. After trying to connect the pattern to...
PBL Pathways
Solar Toasters
Help a company maximize their profits! A detailed project-based learning activity examines two production scenarios. Your young scholars write a linear demand function. They then apply the function to develop a revenue, cost, and profit...
EngageNY
From Ratio Tables to Equations Using the Value of a Ratio
Use the value of a ratio to set up equations. The teacher leads a discussion on determining equations from ratio tables in the 13th portion of a 29-part series. Pupils determine which of two equations to use to find the solution. They...
CK-12 Foundation
Exponent Properties with Variable Expressions: Size of Solar Tornadoes
Exponents may have your pupils' heads spinning after an engaging lesson as they connect properties to tornadoes! Learners compare a distance between cities to the distance across a solar tornado. They use exponent properties to find the...
PBL Pathways
Doctors and Nurses
How many nurses does it take to support one doctor? A project-based activity asks learners to analyze state data to answer this question. Classes create polynomial functions from the data of doctors and nurses over a seven-year period....
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Determine Distance: Distance Between Friends
Pupils use an interactive to help visualize the right triangles needed to calculate distances between friends' houses. Individuals solve five problems on how to determine distances and comparing the distances.
CK-12 Foundation
Addition of Polynomials: Splitting into Tiles
Count on tiles to add polynomials. Pupils drag virtual algebra tiles onto colored mats to represent the sum of two polynomials. The learners count the number of like tiles to find the coefficient of each term. They finish by discussing...
Howard County Schools
Planning for Prom
Make the most of your prom—with math! Pupils write and use a quadratic model to determine the optimal price of prom tickets. After determining the costs associated with the event, learners use a graph to analyze the break even point(s).
College Board
Three Calculator Simulation Activities
Calculators sure come in handy. An AP® Statistics instructional resource provides suggestions for using calculator simulations. It gives activities for adding variances, normal probability plots, and t distributions.
Curated OER
You Scratch my Back, I'll Scratch Yours
Students explore the concept of interdependence. In this integrated interdependence lesson, students interpret graphs and charts that require them to analyze the relationship between Mexico and the United States. Students also...
Curated OER
A Picture's Worth
Fifth graders explore the concept of fractions. Through hands-on activities, student pairs work to create various forms of fractions. Using geometric drawings and manipulatives, they demonstrate equivalent fractions, improper...