Working with algebraic and graphical techniques

Skill Activities

We welcome feedback and contributions. If you have any comments, ideas or resources to offer please contact June Haighton.

Please note that resources added most recently are at the bottom of the page.

Broadband A - the Excel version
Instructions showing how to use Excel to find a quadratic model for the growth in broadband connections in recent years. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information (application/msword, 703 KB) (application/pdf, 1.1 MB)
Spreadsheet (application/vnd.ms-excel, 18 KB)

Broadband B
Instructions showing how to use a graphic calculator to find a quadratic model for the growth in broadband connections in recent years. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information (application/msword, 263 KB) (application/pdf, 69 KB)

Broadband C
Instructions showing how to use algebra to find a quadratic model for the growth in broadband connections in recent years. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information (application/msword, 301 KB) (application/pdf, 61 KB)
Powerpoint presentation (application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, 129 KB)

Climate A
Students use an Excel spreadsheet to find polynomial functions to model temperature change and compare with an exponential model. Can be used alone or with Climate B. Teacher notes included.

Student Information (application/msword, 247 KB) (application/pdf, 70 KB)
Teacher Notes (application/msword, 686 KB) (application/pdf, 1.0 MB)

Climate B
Students use a graphic calculator to find a polynomial function to model temperature change and compare with an exponential model. Can be used alone or with Climate A. Teacher notes included.

Student Information (application/msword, 245 KB) (application/pdf, 66 KB)
Teacher Notes (application/msword, 79 KB) (application/pdf, 31 KB)

Test Run
Students interpret a speed-time graph and fit both linear and quadratic models. This activity is only available as a pdf as the word file would be too big. The performance data is given in the Excel spreadsheet for comparison with models. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information (application/pdf, 139 KB) (application/vnd.ms-excel, 122 KB)

The Ozone Hole
Data concerning depletion of ozone levels and the increase in the area of the Antarctic ozone hole over the last twenty years. Students investigate possible linear, quadratic and exponential models. Optional use of spreadsheet. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information (application/msword, 0.9 MB) (application/pdf, 96 KB)
Spreadsheet (application/vnd.ms-excel, 15 KB)

Tin Can
Students design a tin can, using algebraic and graphical techniques. Optional use of the internet. Contributed by Kingston College Mathematics Division.

Student Information (application/msword, 34 KB) (application/pdf, 23 KB)

Using the CASIO-fx-7400G PLUS
Notes on how to use this calculator - includes how to draw the graph of a function, investigate how well a model fits data and how to find a model.

Student Notes (application/msword, 50 KB) (application/pdf, 24 KB)

Max and Min Problems
Powerpoint presentation and practice questions using a spreadsheet or graphic calculator to solve problems involving maximum and minimum values. Teacher notes included.

Student information (application/msword, 388 KB) (application/pdf, 79 KB) (application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, 136 KB)

Match linear functions and graphs
12 sets of cards, each containing a linear graph, its equation and the real situation it represents – for students to match. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information and Teacher notes: (application/msword, 94 KB) (application/pdf, 37 KB)

Completing the Square
Powerpoint presentation shows how to complete the square and use this form to sketch graphs. Card-matching activity using a selection from 24 sets each of 3 cards showing a quadratic graph, the corresponding function and its completed square form. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information and Teacher notes: (application/msword, 2.5 MB) (application/pdf, 65 KB)
PowerPoint presentation: (application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, 158 KB)

Simultaneous Equations on a graphic calculator
Instructions for using the CASIO fx-7400G PLUS calculator to solve simultaneous equations.

Student Information: (application/msword, 72 KB) (application/pdf, 27 KB)

Gas Guzzlers
Powerpoint presentation and activity in which students use a log graph to find an exponential function to model real data. Teacher Notes included.

Student information and teacher notes (application/msword, 186 KB) (application/pdf, 59 KB)
PowerPoint presentation (application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, 153 KB)