Algebra 1: Applications of Parabolas

In this activity, students will look for both number patterns and visual shapes that go along with quadratic relationships.

Two applications are introduced after some basic patterns in the first two problems.

The pattern formed by the increasing piles of bricks is a familiar pattern of “triangular” numbers: 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, … students are asked to draw the next pile, as well as enter the next number into lists and observe the effect on the scatter plot.

Additional applications are presented that include the idea of how gravity causes an object to fall rise, reach a maximum height, then fall to earth (or griddle!).