Lesson 9

Lesson 9: Solving Problems with Quadratic Equations

 

Focus

 

A high school football player catches a perfectly thrown pass near the end zone. The quarterback knows how to throw the football right to that spot because of careful and consistent practice over an extended period of time.

 

The parabolic path of the football, the trajectory, can be modelled and predicted using quadratic functions. Your skill at modelling, predicting, and analyzing situations using quadratic functions can also be enhanced by careful and consistent practice.

 

Up to this point, you have worked with quadratic functions that modelled real-world situations, like snowboard jumps and football kicks. Now you will learn to write quadratic functions that describe situations in the world around you. You will also analyze the functions you create to find answers to questions related to those situations.

 

Lesson Questions

 

This lesson will help you answer the following inquiry questions:

• How do you write a quadratic function that models a given situation and explain any assumptions made?

• How do you solve a problem, with or without technology, by analyzing a quadratic function?

Materials and Equipment

• graphing calculator

Assessment

• Lesson 9 Assignment
• Module 3 Project

All assessment items you encounter need to be placed in your course folder.

 

Save a copy of the Lesson 9 Assignment to your course folder. You will receive more information about how to complete the assignment later in this lesson.