Sharon's Problem Solving

Complete the Square Activities: Practice the Process includes illustrated directions to use Algebra Tiles for equations that are perfect squares and those that are not. Practice problems are included along with two process related activities. A challenge problem requires students to complete the square for the general case. Answer keys are included for all problems and activities.

The collection includes a pattern/function exploration that provides an introduction to piece-wise defined functions and sequences. Additional problems ask students to write piecewise functions from graphs. Other topics included are discrete and continuous data. Graphing calculator instructions for sequences are included.

The Pizza Problem: Quadratic Investigations offers students the opportunity to create a quadratic pattern through an activity. Students will then use quadratic procedures to further analyze the pattern. Topics included:Finite differences System of equations Quadratic Formula Graphing quadratics Quadratic inequality Transformations and Translations Line of Symmetry An answer key and rubric have been provided.

The Vertex Word Problem activity includes a scoring rubric and answer key that can be used by the teacher and/or student. The problem asks students to compare three equations for their maximum height and distance between x-intercepts. The activity can be used as a formative or summative assessment. The Vertex Form Matching activity includes a pdf version with an answer bank. The answer key is included. The topics included in the problem: Vertex formStandard formVertexy-interceptQuadratic formu

The Complete the Square Activity offers students the opportunities to complete a hands-on activity online. Students will be asked to create perfect squares by "completing the square". Students will connect the process of completing the square to vertex form. Slides are self-correcting. Additional self-correcting Complete the Square slides have been added so that students can move tiles into the correct order from the beginning equations to their solutions. A new addition to this resource asks

The Quadratic Word Problems: Decode the Message activity asks students to set up equations, factor, and solve them. Students must then check their work by solving the puzzle. Additional Quadratic Word Problems and answer keys have been added including The Pizza Problem which includes a rubric. Topics addressed:Quadratic word problems Factoring quadratics Solving quadratics Vertex Domain and range Graphing quadratics System of Equations Quadratic formula Quadratic inequality Transformations and

The Algebra through Geometry Problems ask students to investigate two challenging geometric pattern problems by building quadratic and cubic equations. Students will derive the equations after going through a few guided steps. The rubrics and answer keys can be used by the students and/or teacher. There are three supporting activities that compliment the challenge problems. Topics covered in the problems and activities: Analyze patternsMake charts and tablesFind quadratic equationsUse the cubic