Algebra II: Quadratic Functions and Stopping Distance

Objectives

• Students will utilize data in real-life applications of the quadratic function.
• Students will generate quadratic regression equations to model the relationship between two variables in a set of data.
• Students will interpolate and extrapolate values using their quadratic models for this real-life application.
• Students will write compound inequalities to describe the effect of various driving conditions on stopping distance.

Vocabulary

• compound inequality
• extrapolate
• interpolate
• quadratic regression equation

About the Lesson

This lesson involves analyzing data. As a result, students will:

• Compare stopping distance under normal driving conditions with stopping distance while talking on a cell phone or driving in wet weather.
• Generate quadratic equations to model the effects of different factors such as talking on a cell phone or driving in wet weather on stopping distance and compare it to the stopping distance under normal conditions.
• Utilize their quadratic equations to make predictions about stopping distance.