GOAL

Have you ever wondered why you need to learn quadratic equations? This culminating lesson aims to make the math real, by showing the students visually how a simple problem can be solved by quadratic equations. The primary focus is on the link between the problem statement and the formulation of the quadratic equations.

Prerequisites

• Formula for Area of Rectangle
• How to solve Quadratic Equations (Quadratic Formula)

Required Document

• AQEP Worksheet
  (Be sure to give each student an unique ID #)
  

Optional Documents

• Pre-Assessment Survey
• Post-Assessment Survey

Suggested Pre-Activity

• Remind A = length * width for rectangles
• What if length and width are both variable w's? Then, A = w^2 (Quadratic)
• What if length and width are both equations (1-2*w)? Then, quadratic equation!
• Go through Tutorial for visualization tool (last page of AQEP Worksheet)

Sample Lesson Plan

• (15 Minutes) Pre-Activity
• (30 Minutes) Individual/Pairwise Computer Work
• (10 Minutes) Whole Class Discussion on Solution
• (5 Minutes) Last Minute Computer Work

Assessments

• AQEP Worksheet
• Observation by Walking Around
• Whole Class Discussion

Notes