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IXL: Math Practice - Quadratic Formulas
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Activity Description
Source: IXL Quadratic Formulas Activity page (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
In this activity, students solve twenty quadratic equations online using the quadratic formula. Incorrect answers are provided with Review, Remember, and Solve which take the student step-by-step to find the correct solution.
This site includes math exercises that can be done, corrected, and reviewed online. It is divided by grades, and you can choose the state standards. The free version only allows the student to answer 20 questions each day.
Preparation
- Be sure your classroom/computer lab can access the Web site.
- Review the problems online and familiarize yourself with the format.
- Decide if you want to track students' Smart Score or time.
- First teach the math concepts related to the exercises you are going to use. This site will explain the answers of the exercises, but it does not teach the math concept needed to do the exercises.
Teacher Tips
- The material is already divided in order of difficulty by grade level. When teaching a lesson, for instance, Ratios and Proportions under A1 (Algebra 1), just follow all the links in the order it shows under the section title "Ratios and Proportions." It keeps track of problems attempted and time elapsed.
More Ways
- Divide students into teams and have them compete against others. You can use their Smart Score to determine the winners.
- Spend some time at this site to see all it has to offer. This is just one topic of thousands available to you and your students.
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
- ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
Levels
- High
Lesson Plan
Warm-up
- Review: Briefly review the concept of quadratic equations and their standard form (ax^2 + bx + c = 0).
- Quick Quiz (Optional): Distribute a short quiz with basic questions about quadratic equations to assess prior knowledge.
Introduction
- Importance of the Formula: Introduce the quadratic formula and emphasize its importance in solving quadratic equations, especially when factoring is not possible.
- Real-World Connection (Optional): Briefly discuss a real-world application of quadratic formulas (e.g., projectile motion, parabolic arches). This can spark student interest and connect the math concept to practical scenarios.
Presentation
Engagement
Enhancement
- Pitfall Discussion: Divide the class into small groups. Ask them to brainstorm common mistakes students make when using the quadratic formula. Write these mistakes on the board and discuss them as a class. (e.g., Forgetting signs, incorrect substitution into the formula)
- Collaborative Problem-solving: Pose a challenging quadratic equation on the board. Have students work in their groups to solve it using the quadratic formula. Encourage them to explain their steps and identify any potential pitfalls they might encounter.
- Formula Breakdown: Project the formula (x = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a) and explain each component (a, b, c). Briefly explain the concept of the discriminant (b^2 - 4ac) and its role in determining the nature of the solutions.
Practice
Engagement
- IXL Introduction: Briefly introduce the IXL website and its functionalities. Explain that students will practice solving quadratic equations using the built-in feedback system ("Review," "Remember," "Solve").
- Demonstration: Project the IXL website and solve a few sample problems, highlighting how to input the equation and navigate the feedback system.
- Independent Practice: Students work in pairs, log in to IXL on their assigned computers, and access the appropriate topic for their grade level (e.g., "Quadratic Formula" for Algebra 1).
- "Smart Score" Option: Decide if you want to track students' progress by monitoring their "Smart Score." Explain the scoring system and how it reflects their understanding.
- Monitoring and Support: Circulate around the classroom to observe students' work and address any questions or difficulties they encounter.
Evaluation
- Exit Ticket: Distribute a short exit ticket with a few quadratic equations for students to solve independently. This will assess their understanding and identify any misconceptions.
- IXL Performance Review: (Optional) Briefly discuss students' experience with IXL and any insights they gained. You can also review some common mistakes observed during practice.
Application
Enhancement
Extension
- Challenge Problem (Optional): Present a more challenging problem that requires applying the quadratic formula and interpreting the solutions (e.g., finding the vertex of a parabola).
- Real-World Connection Revisited: Ask students to revisit the real-world application introduced earlier. Encourage them to explain how the quadratic formula can solve problems in that context.
Subjects
- Math
- Algebra
- Consumer Math
Standards
- Functions: Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models
- F.LE.1-1c - Construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential models and solve problems.
Tags
math, quadratic, algebra, equation, formula, IXL