Supplies

· 3 small containers

· 1 copy of the container labels

· 1 copy of the vertices page

· 1 copy of the minimum / maximum page

· 1 copy of the slopes page

· Enough copies of the function & graph page for your class

Preparation

· Cut out the container labels and tape them on the containers.

· Cut out the individual vertices and place them in the container labeled vertices.

· Cut out the individual maximum / minimum pieces and place them in the container labeled maximum / minimum.

· Cut out the individual slopes and place them in the container labeled slopes.

Student Directions

· Draw one item from each container.

· Use them to write the equation of the absolute value function they describe.

· Graph the function you wrote.

Possible Extensions

· Students will trade with another student to check each other’s answers.

· Students will calculate the x intercept(s), if any.

· Students will calculate the y intercept.

· Students will sketch the reflection over the y-axis and write the function of the reflection.

· Students will sketch the reflection over the x-axis and write the function of the reflection.

· Students will use a graphing calculator to check the answers to their problem or any of the previous extension.