Content Showcase: Instructional Resources

This collection of YouTube videos shows the symmetry properties of the alphabet, including some words are symmetric. Look at vertical line symmetry, horizontal line symmetry, and bilateral symmetry. Here is an example video.

The video was uploaded on 2/3/2023.

This YouTube playlist includes all the videos in this collection.

This is a continuation of our exploration of the Fibonacci Sequence. In this lesson we look at the sequence as a logarithmic spiral.

Note: The download is a PDF file.

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Learn different strategies for finding the number that is a given percentage of another number. The Strategy Packs provide alternate ways of solving the same problem, giving your students different approaches to the same problem. The goal of the Strategy Packs is to encourage your students to think strategically when solving math problems.

Note: The download is a PPT file.

Learn different strategies for finding the percent of a number. The Strategy Packs provide alternate ways of solving the same problem, giving your students different approaches to the same problem. The goal of the Strategy Packs is to encourage your students to think strategically when solving math problems.

Note: The download is a PPT file.

Learn different strategies for comparing fractions. The Strategy Packs provide alternate ways of solving the same problem, giving your students different approaches to the same problem. The goal of the Strategy Packs is to encourage your students to think strategically when solving math problems.

Note: The download is a PPT file.

Learn different strategies for solving one-step multiplication equations. The Strategy Packs provide alternate ways of solving the same problem, giving your students different approaches to the same problem. The goal of the Strategy Packs is to encourage your students to think strategically when solving math problems.

Note: The download is a PPT file.

Learn different strategies for solving one-step addition equations. The Strategy Packs provide alternate ways of solving the same problem, giving your students different approaches to the same problem. The goal of the Strategy Packs is to encourage your students to think strategically when solving math problems.

Note: The download is a PPT file.

In this instructional resource, we show the steps in constructing an egg shape. In the process, students learn about using common points of tangency to create smooth curves from two different shapes. This activity can be done with pencil, compass, ruler, and grid paper. 

This is a continuation of our exploration of the Fibonacci Sequence. In this lesson we look at the sequence as an example of a recursive function.

Note: The download is a PDF file.

To see resources related to this topic click on the Related Resources tab above.

In this instructional resource, we explore cardioid graph. This activity includes a Desmos graphing calculator window to explore the graph of a cardioid. The goal is to orient the cardioid shape to look like a heart shape in its proper orientation. 

The year 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac. Media4Math would also like to make this the Year of Fibonacci. If you recall, Fibonacci investigated his famous number pattern by looking at the number pattern generated by the increase in the number of rabbits from month to month. The Fibonacci Sequence is one of the most important number patterns found in nature.

Note: The download is a PDF file.

To see resources related to this topic click on the Related Resources tab above.

In this tutorial we walk students through the Laws of Exponents.

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In this tutorial we walk students through the steps of doing a quadratic regression on a Desmos graphing calculator. The steps include showing how to create pseudo-quadratic data on a spreadsheet.

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In this presentation, learn how to identify the increasing and decreasing parts of a quadratic function. Cases include equations in vertex and standard form.

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In this Algebra Application, students study the life cycles of 13- and 17-year cicadas, as well as the populations of bird predators. Students develop a mathematical model using spreadsheets and investigate why the prime number life cycles help the cicadas. The math topics covered include: Mathematical modeling, Data gathering and analysis, Percent increase and decrease, Prime numbers and composites. This real world application of math concepts will engage your students.

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In this Algebra Application, students study the direction between diameter and circumference of a circle. Through measurement and data gathering students analyze the line of best fit and explore ways of calculating pi. The math topics covered include: Mathematical modeling, Linear functions, Data gathering and analysis, Ratios, Direct variation. This is a great back-to-school activity for middle school or high school students. This is also a great crossover activity that ties algebra and geometry.

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In this Algebra Application, students develop a quadratic mathematical model for calculating the speed of a car based on the length of its skid marks. Using this model, students investigate the corresponding parabola. The math topics covered include: Mathematical modeling, Quadratic functions in standard form, Square root formula, Data analysis. The culminating activity is for students to write a program, using either a spreadsheet or a computer language like Python, that can calculate the speed of a car, given the skid mark length and coefficient of friction as the two inputs.

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In this Algebra Application, students develop a quadratic mathematical model based for the path of fireworks. Using this model, students investigate the properties of parabolas, including orientation, y-intercept, and vertex. The math topics covered include: Mathematical modeling, Quadratic functions in standard, vertex, and factored form, Curve fitting, Solving equations. The culminating activity is for students to plan a fireworks displays that mathematically uses the properties of quadratics restricted to the first quadrant. Given the coordinates of the vertices, what are the equations of parabolas that fit the given parameters.

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In this Algebra Application, students develop a linear mathematical model based on the maximum heart rate during exercise based on age. Using this model, students investigate heart rate for moderate and vigorous workouts. The math topics covered include: Mathematical modeling, Linear functions, Families of functions, Computational thinking. The culminating activity is for students to create a simple program (using either a spreadsheet or a programming language like Python) to develop an exercise chart. This is a great back-to-school activity for middle school or high school students. A relevant real-world application allows them to review math concepts.

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In this Algebra Application, students examine the music industry, specifically the rise of Korean pop music, or K-Pop. Using industry data students examine tables and graphs of categorical data before identifying possible functional relationships. A mathematical model is developed to explore the relationship between viral videos and sales. Topics covered: Mathematical modeling, Linear regression, Categorical data, Functions.

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In this Algebra Application, students examine the budding industry of commercial space travel. Using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, students build a mathematical model from historical airfare data. This model is used to predict when commercial space travel will become affordable. This also includes a discussion of inflation-adjusted costs and the future value of money. Topics covered: Mathematical modeling, Linear regression, Exponential functions, The time value of money.

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In this Algebra Application, students gather data to study the lengths of paper receipts. They also learn to estimate the total number of receipts produced worldwide using industry data. From this they can study the environmental impact of having to produce so many paper receipts. The math topics covered include: Measures of central tendency (specifically the mean), Scientific notation, Rates, Converting different units. The culminating activity is for students to make a persuasive case to retailers about finding alternatives to paper receipts, using the data they gathered and analyzed. This is a great back-to-school activity for middle school or high school students. A relevant real-world application allows them to review math concepts.

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In this Algebra Application, students learn about wildfires and the measurement of air quality. The math topics covered include: Scientific notation, Rates, Density, Data Analysis. The specific focus of this investigation is the health hazards from wildfire smoke. This includes a discussion of air density, measurement in microns, and measurement of air quality. Links to various web sites, including the EPA's site, provide relevant background information and data. The culminating activity is a case study of the wildfires in the Lake Tahoe area. Students analyze historical data and make a recommendation on the air quality. This is a great back-to-school activity for middle school or high school students. A relevant real-world application allows them to review math concepts.

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This tutorial provides an overview of solving division equations, with the focus on one- and two-step equations.

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This tutorial provides an overview of writing and solving multiplication equations. The focus is on one- and two-step equations.

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