The Situation: Fast forward your life fifteen years. You have been given a new task at work that reminds you of something from your past. You close your eyes and think about where and when you have seen this type of task before. Wait a minute… this task reminds you of Mrs. Sanders’
Algebra class and quadratic functions. Go figure!
Directions: You will complete the job for the occupation you chose (via sticky note). You may work alone or in groups of two or three with classmates who also chose your occupation. The goal is to fully complete each task and prove that you are a master of your craft (your job) and of solving quadratic functions. Complete details for each task are found on the following pages. Each task is worth twenty points. Please see the attached rubric for scoring criteria. Enjoy!
Engineer
Design a water fountain for a local park. You will need to provide a sketch of the design and the
corresponding quadratic function for the builders.
Musician Create a song or rap about finding the solution(s) to quadratic functions by graphing using the six-steps.
Builder Build a three-dimensional model of a parabola.
Someone viewing your model should be able to see which parts of the parabola correspond to which of the six-steps.
Artist You are selling the “secret” to solving quadratic functions. Create a flyer, poster, or brochure about your product and why someone would want to buy it.
Auctioneer You are selling the “secret” to solving quadratic
functions in the auction house. You are the
auctioneer that will describe the product and take bids.
Profiler Activity: Solving a Quadratic Function
Engineer
Design a water fountain for a local park. You will need to provide a sketch of the design and the
corresponding quadratic function for the builders.
Specific details of your job:
The city wants you to design a water fountain for their park, but they have a few requirements that your fountain must meet. The spray of water will form a beautiful parabola. The spray of water from the fountain must reach six feet in height. The spray of water take six seconds to hit the ground. (Please think about these two requirements as they correspond to two key parts of the parabola. Each 6 belongs in a different ordered pair that corresponds to an important point on the parabola. You should
automatically know the other value in each ordered pair.)
You should make a sketch of your design before beginning your calculations. Once you have sketched your design, you should know the axis of symmetry, the vertex, and one of the solutions. Work backward through the six-steps of graphing to find a quadratic function that will produce these values. The city needs a detailed sketch and the correct quadratic function to give to the builders.
*Make sure that your quadratic function correctly corresponds to the axis of symmetry, vertex, and zero specified in the problem. You have 55 minutes to complete this job.*
Scoring Criteria:
An accurate detailed sketch is provided ____/10 A correct quadratic formula is provided ____/10
Profiler Activity: Solving a Quadratic Function
Musician Create a song or rap about finding the solution(s) to quadratic functions by graphing using the six-steps.
Specific details of your job:
Your job is to create a song or a rap. The subject of your musical composition is quadratic functions and how to find solutions. You must include details about the solutions of quadratic functions and the six-steps to graphing that will help you find solutions. To make your song/rap interesting you need to include a reason why you want to find the solution(s) to
quadratic functions. For example, maybe your sister needs them or maybe you love them. Your song/rap will be more entertaining if you incorporate some type of story line into the lyrics. You must have at least two verses and a chorus.
*Make sure that your song/rap makes sense and includes specific and correct details about solutions, the six-steps to graphing, and the purpose of
graphing. Keep in mind that you will be performing the song/rap. You have 55 minutes to complete this job.*
Scoring Criteria:
Accurate details about solutions are provided ____/5
Accurate details about the six-steps are provided ____/5
The relationship between graphing and finding
solutions is correctly explained ____/5
Lyrics follow the requirements ____/5
Profiler Activity: Solving a Quadratic Function
Builder Build a three-dimensional model of a parabola.
Someone viewing your model should be able to see which parts of the parabola correspond to which of the six-steps.
Specific details of your job:
Your job is to build a three-dimensional model of a parabola. Your model will be put on display at a local school (Knapp Charter Academy). You can be creative in what materials you use to make this
three-dimensional model. The materials we have available include playdough, paper, pipe cleaner, straws, felt, and string. Your model must be accurate, built to scale, and each part of the parabola must be labeled.
Your model must also show how the different parts of the parabola correspond to each of the six steps. For example, the axis of symmetry found in step 1 should be different somehow (color, material, texture, etc.) than the vertex found in step 2. You must provide a key that shows the relationship you create. For example, if you make the axis of symmetry red your key should show that red = axis of symmetry = step 1.
*You might want to start by graphing a quadratic function on a piece of graphing paper. Then you can make the drawing into a three-dimensional model. You have 55 minutes to complete this job.*
Scoring Criteria:
3-D model is accurately built to scale ____/5
3-D model is labeled correctly ____/5 Parts of the parabola are displayed differently
to represent the six steps of graphing ____/5 An accurate key is provided ____/5
Profiler Activity: Solving a Quadratic Function
Artist You are selling the “secret” to solving quadratic functions. Create a flyer, poster or brochure about your product and why someone would want to buy it.
Specific details of your job:
A company has discovered a process of six steps that can uncover the mysterious solution(s) to a quadratic function. Following these six steps will enable someone to graph a quadratic function thereby discovering the solution(s). The company has hired you to help them sell the six step process. You are to create an advertising flyer, poster, or a brochure that can be handed out and/or displayed publicly to entice people to buy the product. The flyer/poster/brochure you create must include information about solutions to quadratic functions and about the six steps. You must also include reasons why someone would want to buy these steps and find the solutions to quadratic
functions. Lastly, there must be an illustration of some type that relates to a parabola or a quadratic function.
Be creative!
*You might want to start by compiling your information and making a sketch. Then you can create your final product. Remember you are trying to convince someone to buy the company’s product. You have 55 minutes to complete this job.*
Scoring Criteria:
Accurate details about solutions are provided ____/5 Accurate details about the six-steps are provided
____/5 Reasons someone would want to solve quadratic
functions are provided ____/5 Accurate illustration is included ____/5
Profiler Activity: Solving a Quadratic Function
Auctioneer You are selling the “secret” to solving quadratic functions in the auction house. You are the auctioneer that will describe the product and take bids.
Specific details of your job:
You are the auctioneer at a local auction house. At
tonight’s auction (to raise money for charity) someone has donated a “secret” process of six steps that can uncover the solution(s) to a quadratic function. Following these six steps will enable someone to graph a quadratic function thereby discovering the solution(s). Your job is to auction off the six step process for the highest price possible. You must create a script that you will use to introduce and explain the item up for sale. The script you create must include information about solutions to quadratic functions and about the six steps. You must also include reasons why someone would want to buy these steps and find the solutions to quadratic functions. Lastly, the script should include some fictional bids to add to the commentary. Be creative, be funny, and make it interesting!
*You will be turning in a written copy of your script, but you will also perform your script with your best impression of a fast-talking auctioneer. If you are working with a partner or in a group of three, your script should include parts for each person. You have 55 minutes to complete this job.*
Scoring Criteria:
Accurate details about solutions are provided ____/5 Accurate details about the six-steps are provided ____/5 Reasons someone would want to buy this
item are provided ____/5
Script is lively and contains parts
for each group member ____/5