Quadratics in Our World

Parabolas can be found all over our world and in this project, you will be identifying one in your
life and mathematically analyzing it. You will find a picture of a parabola, transcribe it onto a
graph, and create an electronic poster to present your findings. You must show all of your
calculations and work to receive full credit.
Steps to get started:
1. Go to https://www.desmos.com/calculator and create a free account. This is necessary
for you to be able to save your work. Use school provided email address.
Here are some resources to help you with desmos:
a. https://desmos.s3.amazonaws.com/Desmos_User_Guide.pdf
b. http://support.desmos.com/forums/21528517-video-tutorials
c. http://support.desmos.com/categories/20081717-using-the-desmos-graphing-calc
ulator
2. Use google to search for a picture of a real-world parabola.
3. Save your picture on your computer, then in Desmos go to the + in the upper left side of
your page. Go down to image and insert your picture that way.
a. To change the opacity of your picture, hold down the small circular image to the
left of your graph, and choose an opacity.
b. You can move where your picture is by clicking on it and moving your image.
4. Determine some basic information about your quadratic based off the graph.
a. Does it face upward or downward?
b. What is the axis of symmetry?
c. What are the coordinates of the vertex?
d. What is the y-intercept?
e. What are the coordinates of the zeros of the parabola?
5. Now write your quadratic function in vertex form. You must solve for the a value and
should use the example provided for help.
6. Rewrite the quadratic function in standard form. Make sure you show all of your work for
this process. Again, use the example provided for help.
7. Graph the quadratic function in either standard or vertex form over your image.
8. Solve the quadratic equation using any method to prove that you have correctly
identified your x-intercepts.
9. Answer the following questions in a paragraph.
a. Why did you choose this parabola?
b. Why do you think the parabola shape is used in the construction of the object?
OR Why do you think this object follows a parabolic curve?
c. What have you learned from completing this project?
d. How well do the points you chose from your graph match up with the points the
algebraic work produced?
10. Find a electronic source to put all of your work into and make the electronic poster.
Some options of programs to use are Canva (online), Google Document or Slide,
Microsoft Publisher, and many more.
11. You must submit this work via google classroom.

Example Work:

Determine which part of the parabola you will use (outside or inside edge). For this example, I
will use the outside edge of the arch.
Basic Info From Graph:
Graph opens downward
Axis of symmetry is x = 1
Vertex is (1, 6)
Y-intercept is about (0, 5.75)
Zeros are at about ( 2.5, 0) and (4.5, 0)

Standard Form:
f (x) = ax2 + bx + c
Multiply out vertex form to get standard
form.
f (x) = 49(x 1)2 + 6

f (x) = 49(x 1)(x 1) + 6

f (x) = 49(x2 2x + 1) + 6
f (x) = 49x2 + 89x 49 + 6
f (x) = 49x2 + 89x 49 + 54
9
f (x) = 49x2 + 89x + 50
9

Vertex Form:
f (x) = a(x h)2 + k

Insert vertex y = a(x 1)2 + 6

Find a It should be negative because

the graph is opening down. Pick any exact
point from your graph and plug it in for x
and y and solve for a.
(4, 2)
2 = a(4 1)2 + 6

2 = a(3)2 + 6

2 = 9a + 6
4 = 9a
49 = a
f (x) = 49(x 1)2 + 6

Solve the Quadratic Equation to Find Zeros:

You could use the square root process
from the vertex form or use the quadratic
formula from standard form. If you need to
convert fractions to decimals, do so but
make sure you keep at least 2 decimal
places when rounding. I will use the
square root process for this example.
f (x) = 49(x 1)2 + 6

6 = 49(x 1)2

Multiply both sides by 94

13.5 = (x 1)2
13.5 = x 1
1 13.5 = x

x = 1 + 3.67 and x = 1 3.67

x = 4.67 and x = 2.67