Goodie: “A technique/question that can be applied in many places and teaches thinking.”
Baddie: “A technique/question that is a waste of good teaching and learning-to-think-and-do-math time.”
February 2009 Goodie of the Month – Real Fun and Learning with Quadratics
In the second half of Algebra 1:
A typical standard is: Apply quadratic equations to physical problems, such as the motion of an object under the force of gravity.
A typical question for this is: A ball is thrown straight down with a speed of 20 [ft/s] from a height of 80 [ft]. When will it hit the ground?
A typical application of technology is:
Tell the student that the function is y(t)=-16t2-20t+80. They know they can’t graph with t so they switch to x, which they graph on their graphing calculator.
They see that parabola crosses the x-axis. They find the intersection and write x=1.7 and get their points.
Now ask them "Where does the ball hit the ground?". They will point to the intersection point – totally forgetting that this is vertical motion and that the ball hits the ground at (0,0)!
Ask them "What is the units on your answer?". You will be lucky if they give you [seconds] and not [feet]!
So why is this a “Goodie of the Month”?
The problem isn’t the standard. Nor is it the question. Both are excellent. The problem is the technology – it is undoing the learning.
Let’s change the technology! If the animation below doesn’t work – open this link: Vertical Motion
Here are some “good problems”.
- Set ho = 80[ft] and vo = -20[ft/s]. Run the animation. Point with your finger to the place where the ball hit the ground. Now find the place on the graph where it says when it hit the ground.
- Set ho = 80[ft] and vo= 20[ft/s]. Run the animation. Notice that the ball goes up before it goes down. Why is this? Reset the animation and using the step forward + and step backward – buttons, stop the animation when the ball is at its highest point. Point with your finger to the place where the ball is at its highest point. Now find the place on the graph where it says when it is at its peak. What time is this?
- Set ho = 0[ft] and vo= 100[ft/s]. Find when the ball hits the ground. Do this via the animation and algebraically using the function. When is the ball at its highest point (remember – parabolas are symmetric!)? What is this highest point? Do not forget units!
Here are some “good questions” for the function: h(t)=ho+vot-16t2
- The function h(t) gives height in [ft]. So each member of this function must give [ft].
- ho is (initial) height. So its unit is [ft]. It is all by itself so this member is in [ft].
- vo is (initial) velocity. So its unit is [ft/s]. How does this member give [ft]?
- What do you think the unit of “16” is so that this last member gives [ft]?
- In what part of the function is gravity playing a part? In which of the above problems is the only force gravity?
- Why do you think there is a plus sign in front of vo and a minus sign in front of 16? That is, what does it mean in mathematics/physics for an object to have a positive velocity? Does gravity increase this velocity?
- Make up a problem that describes this situation: ho = 0[ft] and vo= 100[ft/s].
Links for this interActivity (worksheets, downloads, etc.): Open Metadata