DESMOS Write-Up
Problem Statement:
The past few weeks, we have been learning about quadratics. By using a website called Desmos, we were able to have a clearer understanding of what parabolas are all about and learn how to manipulate the equation to make the parabola that we want to make.
The past few weeks, we have been learning about quadratics. By using a website called Desmos, we were able to have a clearer understanding of what parabolas are all about and learn how to manipulate the equation to make the parabola that we want to make.
Process and Solution:
The first activity (right) and the way we were introduced to parabolas was by looking at basketball shots. We first had to guess if we thought the basketball was going to go in the hoop without using a parabola. Then, we would get the same pictures and this time, we were able to use parabolas to check our answers and find a definite one. Using the parabolas to decide whether the ball was going in or out was a lot easier to get the correct answer. The second time around, with parabolas, I was more precise about whether the ball would make it in the hoop.
The first activity (right) and the way we were introduced to parabolas was by looking at basketball shots. We first had to guess if we thought the basketball was going to go in the hoop without using a parabola. Then, we would get the same pictures and this time, we were able to use parabolas to check our answers and find a definite one. Using the parabolas to decide whether the ball was going in or out was a lot easier to get the correct answer. The second time around, with parabolas, I was more precise about whether the ball would make it in the hoop.
The second activity was about finding the correct parabola using the right vocabulary. We learned about how to describe a parabola and what the different parts of it are like the vertex, concave up, concave down, y-intercepts, line of symmetry and more. In this activity, our partner chose a parabola and we had to find which parabola was the one they chose.
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The third activity was just trying to create the parabola that matched with the vocabulary. Desmos would ask us to sketch out a parabola and we had to draw it out using the tools they gave us. This was pretty fun, but I found it a little difficult to draw on the computer. Below is an example of a question we had and how I solved it.
The fourth activity was about figuring out how certain numbers would affect the variable and the parabola overall. I learned how to manipulate the equation to make different parabolas with the same vertex which is the graph you can see on the right. You can see all of the different equations I made in order to make each parabola go through a different set of points.
Problem Evaluation:
I really enjoyed using desmos to create parabolas and learn with the class. I really liked how each of us were able to interact with each other and see what our classmates were thinking when we answered a question. I would have liked for some of the problems to go quicker; like the basketball problem. I think that this activity lasted too long after we had already gotten the hang of it and would have liked to start the more challenging problems earlier on.
I really enjoyed using desmos to create parabolas and learn with the class. I really liked how each of us were able to interact with each other and see what our classmates were thinking when we answered a question. I would have liked for some of the problems to go quicker; like the basketball problem. I think that this activity lasted too long after we had already gotten the hang of it and would have liked to start the more challenging problems earlier on.
Self-Assessment:
I feel that I did very well with this concept. At first, I struggled because it was a completely new thing that I felt did not connect with any math I had learned before.With that, I kept trying and didn't give up, which lead me to become successful. Specifically, on the fourth activity, I didn't know how to make my parabola wider than it already was and so what I did was try to change the variables until I figured out which one changed that. My goal was to help develop the ideas that others were coming up with and I believe that I gave my first step by asking questions that would appose their thinking. It allowed them to compose their mathematical thoughts and for me to completely comprehend another way of thinking about the problem.
I feel that I did very well with this concept. At first, I struggled because it was a completely new thing that I felt did not connect with any math I had learned before.With that, I kept trying and didn't give up, which lead me to become successful. Specifically, on the fourth activity, I didn't know how to make my parabola wider than it already was and so what I did was try to change the variables until I figured out which one changed that. My goal was to help develop the ideas that others were coming up with and I believe that I gave my first step by asking questions that would appose their thinking. It allowed them to compose their mathematical thoughts and for me to completely comprehend another way of thinking about the problem.
7 Things I learned from Desmos
1. y = a(x-h)^2+k is the equation to find a parabola and is in vertex form
2. Concave up means the parabola looks like a U
3. Concave down means the parabola looks like an upside down U
4. When you multiply x^2 by a smaller number or fraction, your parabola will get taller or thinner
5. When you divide x^2 by a large number, your parabola will get shorter or wider
6. In order to move a parabola left, h should be a positive number
7. To move a parabola down, k should be a negative number
1. y = a(x-h)^2+k is the equation to find a parabola and is in vertex form
2. Concave up means the parabola looks like a U
3. Concave down means the parabola looks like an upside down U
4. When you multiply x^2 by a smaller number or fraction, your parabola will get taller or thinner
5. When you divide x^2 by a large number, your parabola will get shorter or wider
6. In order to move a parabola left, h should be a positive number
7. To move a parabola down, k should be a negative number
Edits:
Alex said to finish my write-up.
Valeria said to add two more pictures to go along with my explanations.
Mr. Ginsberg told me to change "something" by being more specific.
He also told me to add a specific time when I struggled with something and how I kept going
Alex said to finish my write-up.
Valeria said to add two more pictures to go along with my explanations.
Mr. Ginsberg told me to change "something" by being more specific.
He also told me to add a specific time when I struggled with something and how I kept going