EZ Math

This is a Desmos-based exploration of the graphs of the reciprocal trig functions. Students need access to Desmos to complete the exploration as written. The ability to graph y = asin(bx), y = acos(bx), and y = atan(bx) are prerequisite skills. Phase shifts and vertical shifts are explored but the objective of the exploration is sketch and analyze graphs of y = acscbx, y = asec(bx), and y = atan(bx). The activity is completely student-based and could be done without teacher supervision. Six foll

In this Desmos-based activity, students use sliders to explore the effect of the coefficients A and B (in y = Asin(Bx) and y = Acos(Bx)) on the graph of the parent functions. Before doing the activity, students must already be familiar with vocabulary period and amplitude and understand how to identify these by looking at a graph. They also need to know the graph of the parent functions f(x) = sin(x) and f(x) = cos(x). Students will discover rules about A and B and then test their conjectures

After introducing the basic facts of imaginary numbers, let students work their way around the room practicing arithmetic operations with complex numbers at 14 stations . Students need to know: that the square root of -1 is ithat i² = -1how to express the square root of a negative number using ihow to express a complex number in the form a + bibasic algebraic skills such as the Distributive Property and FOIL methodNote: This activity does not include solving quadratic equations. It is simply pra

This set of 9 stations helps students review the use of many important features of the graphing calculator (e.g. entering functions, setting a viewing window, finding zeros and points of intersection, setting and using a table). There are 9 activities/problems which could be used as stations ... or, give each pair of students a problem then have them "be the teacher," presenting their problem to the class. A complete and thorough answer key, including teaching tips and discussion points for eac

In this discovery activity, students use a graphing calculator to evaluate a function and its derivative at given x-values. The activity is arranged so that students clearly see the results of the exploration and can easily make a (correct) conjecture about the derivatives of y = e^x and y = ln(x). The activity includes exercises where students can apply their conjectures. ANSWER KEY INCLUDED. This two-page activity is great for a "flipped classroom" activity because students end up teaching the

This is a set of 12 stations/task cards on composition of functions. The focus here is on using multiple representations (equations, tables, graphs, and verbal descriptions) to evaluate f(g(a)). Students will need to read graphs and tables to evaluate a function. They will also need to write an equation from a verbal description (e.g. "h(x) is the result of translating the quadratic parent function 4 units to the right") in order to create one or both of the functions needed to evaluate the comp

Flowchart for writing linear equations from various sets of information (through two points, parallel/perpendicular to another line, etc). Students follow from START to END by following arrows.

This is an introductory activity to the graphs of sine and cosine. Students find values of sine and cosine in ten-degree increments on a calculator, then plot the values. This is tedious but really pays off with students coming up with a lot of the key features and characteristics of the graphs on their own. They get a feel for the actual "shape" of the waves. (Note: This is best if students don't know about the 'wave' nature of these graphs. Discourage them from graphing on the calculator!) Ste

This is a fun activity for the day before Thanksgiving in Calculus class. Students find the derivatives of 10 functions. As they correctly find each derivative, they earn the right to color ONE feather on the turkey. Note: All differentiation techniques from AP Calc are required, including chain rule, implicit differentiation, and inverse trig derivatives. A nice review as you wrap up differentiation techniques.

This activity includes 10 stations for students to complete. After completing a station, they move to the next station, where the answer to the previous station is included with the next problem. A great way to give feedback and get kids moving and working together. Required content knowledge includes power rule, product & quotient rules, derivatives of log and exponential functions, and derivatives of inverse trig functions. None of these problems requires use of the chain rule. The document

These 14 task cards focus on the relationship between a function and its derivative in all representations (graph, table, word problem, and function rule). The meaning of the function vs the meaning of the derivative...what we learn from f(x) vs what we learn from f'(x). Students must know that the derivative function gives the slope of the tangent line (or the slope of the curve), but do not need to be able to compute derivatives. Answers are provided.

In this summary activity, students work their way through 16 stations. Each station presents an exponential or logarithmic equation to be solved. The solution provides the clue for selecting the next station. Students complete the circuit by solving all 16 equations. Background skills needed: Students need to be familiar with properties of logarithms, be able to convert between log and exponential forms, and (for a couple of the problems) solve quadratic and simple rational equations. They need

This foldable helps kids keep all the various factoring techniques straight! When the two pages are copied back to back and the long edges folded in to meet at the middle, the names of the 8 factoring methods are visible. Cut the names apart along the lines to create a "flap" for each method. Once opened, the flap reveals a statement/explanation of the method, plus room for you to talk through examples. The factoring methods covered are Difference of Squares, Sum of Cubes, Difference of Cubes, Q

Set of four Pi Day activities for secondary students. Instructions for each activity included. NOTE: In the thumbnail images, the "pi" symbol is appearing as a question mark. In the document, the Greek letter will appear, I promise!

This is a summative activity to be used after learning about linearization (linear approximation) and differentials (Lesson 4.5 in Finney 3ed). There are 8 task cards (2 on linearization, 2 on differentials, 1 tangent line, 2 MVT, and 1 IVT). Problems are clearly labeled calculator/non-calculator. It's a great mix of new content and basic review as you head into the closing days of differential calculus. Problems can be printed as stations or used as task cards. A complete, worked out solution

This is a set of 11 stations for practicing the Power Rule in calculus. It is assumed that students know the properties of derivatives (addition rule, subtraction rule, coefficient rule) but no other differentiation techniques are needed (NO PRODUCT RULE, NO QUOTIENT RULE, NO CHAIN RULE). Variations include rewriting radicals as powers, rewriting with negative exponents, using derivatives to find equations of tangent lines, using tables to evaluate derivatives, as well as application problems i

An (editable) PowerPoint document with 10 task cards for practicing sum and difference identities in Trigonometry. The ten cards are lettered A-J, with increasing complexity. I printed out 4 cards per page, horizontally, then cut and laminated them into "decks" of cards. Students broke into groups of 4. Beginning with Card A, they worked the problem and then wrote their group's answer on the card with dry-erase marker. If they were correct, they could proceed to Card B. Most groups needed 45-60