Content Showcase: Video Library

Why do rivers meander instead of traveling in a straight line? In going from point A to point B, why should a river take the circuitous route it does instead of a direct path?

Honey bees not only produce a tasty treat, they also help pollinate flowering plants that provide much of the food throughout the world. So, when in 2006 bee colonies started dying out, scientists recognized a serious problem.

An overview of the key topics to be covered in the video.

This is part of a collection of videos from the Algebra Applications video series on the topic of Variables and Equations.

In this episode of Algebra Applications, two real-world explorations are developed: Biology. Analyzing statistics from honey bee production allows for a mathematical analysis of the so-called Colony Collapse Disorder. Geology. Why do rivers meander instead of traveling in a straight line?

A ballistic missile shield allows you to shoot incoming missiles out of the sky. Mathematically, this is an example of a linear-quadratic system. Students graph such a system and find the points of intersection between a line and a parabola.

Secret codes and encryption are ideal examples of a system of equations. In this activity, students encrypt and decrypt a message.

This is part of a collection of videos from the Algebra Applications video series on the topic of Systems of Equations.

Profit and loss are the key measures in a business. A system of equations that includes an equation for income and one for expenses can be used to determine profit and loss. Students solve a system graphically.

In this episode of Algebra Applications, students explore various scenarios that can be explained through the use of systems of equations. Such disparate phenomena as profit and loss, secret codes, and ballistic missile shields can be explored through systems of equations.

The Hubble Telescope has transformed how we view the universe. We learn about the lens formula and how it is used in the construction of telescopes.

All living things take up a certain amount of space, and therefore have volume. They also have a certain amount of surface area. The ratio of surface area to volume, which is a rational function, reveals important information about the organism.

In spite of their massive size, submarines are precision instruments. A submarine must withstand large amounts of water pressure; otherwise, a serious breach can occur. Rational functions are used to study the relationship between water pressure and volume.

In this episode of Algebra Applications, students explore various scenarios that can be explained through the use of rational functions. Such disparate phenomena as submarines, photography, and the appearance of certain organisms can be explained through rational function models.

From the time a baby is born to the time it reaches 36 months of age, there is dramatic growth in height and weight. An analysis of CDC data reveals a number of quadratic models that doctors can use to monitor the growth and development of children.

The distance a car travels even after the brakes are applied can be described through a quadratic function. The total distance is known as the stopping distance and this segment analyzes the quadratic function. This is an equation that can be used by accident investigators.

Fireworks displays are elegant examples of quadratic function. In this segment the basics of quadratic functions in standard form are developed visually and students are guided through the planning of a fireworks display.

An overview of the key topics to be covered in the video.

This is part of a collection of videos from the Algebra Applications video series on the topic of Quadratic Functions.

In this episode of Algebra Applications, three real-world explorations of quadratic functions are developed: Pyrotechnics. Fireworks displays are elegant examples of quadratic functions. Forensics. The distance a car travels even after the brakes are applied can be described through a quadratic function.

In 1998 a devastating tsunami was triggered by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of New Guinea. The amount of energy from this earthquake was equivalent to a thermonuclear explosion. Students analyze the energy outputs for different magnitude earthquakes.

We live in a noisy world. In fact, prolonged exposure to noise can cause hearing loss. Students analyze the noise level at a rock concert and determine the ideal distance where the noise level is out of the harmful range.

The mathematical definition of a logarithm is the inverse of an exponential function, but why do we need to use logarithms? This segment explains the nature of some data sets, where incremental changes in the domain result in explosive changes in the range.