Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Quadratics!

Here's what you need to do to complete this WebQuest. It's best to complete these in the order listed here. You'll need the WebQuest Passport to record all the information you collect during your journey!

Section 1: What is a Parabola?

Carry out an internet search using this question as your search term:

Record important information in Section 1 of your WebQuest Passport. Note that you need information from at least three websites and you need to list the websites you've used.

Section 2: Equations, Tables, and Graphs

In this section, our goal is to begin making connections among different ways to represent parabolas.

Go to the page Graphing Parabolas and study Example 1 and Example 2 at this site.

Now, in Section 2 of your WebQuest Passport, complete Problem 1. Your job is to create a table of values for the given quadratic function and then use the table to create a graph of the function.

When you've completed Problem 1, show me your work.

Now go on to Problem 2 in this section of your WebQuest Passport. It the same type of problem as you just completed. Show me your solution when you're convinced it's correct.

Section 3: Where in the Real World Am I?

In this section, our goal is to research the real-world applications of parabolas and quadratic functions.

Here are some websites to help get you started:

• Parabolas in Real Life
• Parabolas in Suspension Bridges
• 101 Uses of a Quadratic Equation
• Futures Channel: Quadratic Equations and Functions
• I need an Example . . .
• Insights into Algebra 1
  

Return to Section 3 of your WebQuest Passport and respond to the questions there.

Section 4: Updating and Expanding Your Vocabulary

In this section, you're asked to gather definitions for important terms related to quadratics and parabolas. Use the websites listed here as well as your textbook.

• Cool Math's Online Dictionary
• Mathwords
• Math Dictionary
  

Use these and other sites to get information to help you complete the definitions listed in Section 4 of your Passport. Note that for each definition, you need to record the source for that definition.

Section 5: Sliding and Stretching

What controls the location and shape of the graph of a quadratic function? In this section, you'll explore what happens when you change components of a quadratic equation and then view the associated graph. What makes a parabola open wider? open downward? slide left or right? You're about to find out!

To answer the questions in this section of your Passport, you'll need to visit these websites:

• Transforming Quadratic Functions
• Quadratic Functions
• Geogebra Transformations
• Quadratic Function Explorer

Section 6: Solving Quadratic Equations

An equation of the form ax²+bx+c=0 is called a quadratic equation. What strategies are there for determining values of x that make such equations true? Complete this section and you'll know several different ways to solve quadratic equations.

• Solve Quadratics by Graphing (ppt) (See Resources list below!)
• Solve Quadratics by Factoring
• Solve Quadratics Using the Quadratic Formula
• Solve Quadratics by Completing the Square
  

Section 7: Review Quadratic Functions and Their Graphs

Download the PowerPoint file below (item #2 in the Resources list, called "Review Quadratics") and use it to help you complete the information requested in Section 7 of your WebQuest Passport.

You and your partner will present to the rest of the class an assigned section from this PowerPoint presentation or from some other part of this WebQuest Passport.