Using algebra, functions and graphs

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.

Experiments
List of seven experiments that generate linear and non-linear data. Students are asked to find appropriate algebraic models. Contributed by Nova Brookes from Worthing Sixth Form College

Student Information: (application/msword, 47 KB) (application/pdf, 14 KB)

Formulae
Powerpoint presentation, notes and exercise including a range of formulae involving areas and volumes, interest calculations, temperature conversion and equations of motion. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information (application/msword, 90 KB) (application/pdf, 36 KB)
Powerpoint presentation (application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, 43 KB)

Linear Relationships
Example and exercise involving proportionality and other linear relationships in scientific contexts. Contributed by Kingston College Mathematics Division.

Student Information: (application/msword, 46 KB) (application/pdf, 12 KB)

Road Test Data
Includes data from a road test on a sports car. Worksheet giving practice in fitting linear and quadratic functions. Optional use of spreadsheet. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information: (application/msword, 657 KB) (application/pdf, 276 KB)
Spreadsheet (application/vnd.ms-excel, 16 KB)

Spreadsheet Graphs
This activity uses interactive spreadsheet graphs to introduce the shape and main features of proportional, linear, inverse proportional and quadratic graphs. Teacher Notes included.

Student information (application/msword, 165 KB) (application/pdf, 163 KB)
Spreadsheet (application/vnd.ms-excel, 48 KB)

The Quadratic Formula
Two examples introducing the quadratic formula and set of similar equations to solve. Teacher Notes included

Student Information (application/msword, 125 KB) (application/pdf, 53 KB)

Tunnel
Students solve a problem involving a road tunnel by finding solutions of quadratic equations using a graph drawn in Excel and then using the quadratic formula. Includes a range of other problems and Teacher Notes.

Student Information (application/msword, 171 KB) (application/pdf, 111 KB)

Factor cards
Nearly 100 pairs of cards showing a wide variety of quadratic expressions and their factors. Use in a pairing activity to give students practice in expanding brackets or factorising. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information and Teacher notes: (application/msword, 123 KB) (application/pdf, 33 KB)

Quadratic Graphs
Powerpoint presentation, notes and exercise on drawing quadratic graphs and using them to solve equations. Teacher Notes included.

Student Information and Teacher notes: (application/msword, 0.9 MB) (application/pdf, 96 KB)
PowerPoint presentation: (application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, 90 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)

Rearrange Formulae
A wide range of formulae from real contexts (areas, volumes, interest calculations, temperature conversion, equations of motion etc) for students to rearrange. Teacher Notes include answers and cards that can be used to help students with the most difficult cases.

Student information (application/msword, 130 KB) (application/pdf, 44 KB)
Teachers notes (application/msword, 336 KB) (application/pdf, 40 KB)
PowerPoint presentation (application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, 62 KB)