Subject: Algebra

Grade: 8
Unit: 3, lesson 3: Algebraic Operations, Part 2

Miss Zagar

Lesson: Factoring Quadratic Equations

& Finding Zeros
Teacher Intent: To have students work on factoring quadratic equations to find zeros
and graphing quadratic equations.

Objectives: The students will be able to:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Find the maximum point on a graph

Find zeros on a graph
Factor quadratic equations to find zeros
Using zeros, find possible quadratic equations

Processes: Reading graphs, graphing quadratic functions, plotting points on graph

paper, predicting graphs when given zeros, finding formulas.

Academic Standards:
2.4.11.E. Demonstrate mathematical solutions to problems
2.5.11.B. Use symbols, mathematical terminology, standard notation, mathematical rules,
graphing and other types of mathematical representations to communicate observations,
predictions, concepts, procedures, generalizations, ideas and results.
2.8.8.I. Generate a table or graph from a function and use graphing calculators and
computer spreadsheets to graph and analyze functions.

Content: quadratic equations, graphs, factors, zeros

Materials & Equipment: Graphing calculators, geometric sketchpad, graph paper, SB
Activity:
Warm Up:
1. Students will work on problem at the board about Lauren.
2. Ask:
a. How does the graph show estimates for answers to all the questions?
i. Max height is max point of the graph
ii. Returns to surface when at x-axis.
b. How could information from the graph be used to derive the function rule
itself?
i. Quadratic, so know its a parabola.
3. Explain how the function can be rewritten as h(t) = -8t(2t-3). Lauren returns to the
surface when the height is zero, h(t)=0. When is this? When -8t(2t-3) = 0.
Multiplying, so one or the other equals zero. Solve for t.

4. Maximum height is when at time t=0.75, and h(.75) = 9. Therefore, Lauren

reaches maximum height of 9ft after 0.75 seconds and returns after 1.5 seconds to
the surface of the trampoline.
Continue lesson:
5. When we tried to figure out what time Lauren returned to the surface, we were
looking to find the zero of the function. A zero is an x for which f(x)=0. There can
be multiple zeros. They are the x values of when the function intersects the x-axis.
6. We were able to find these zeros by factoring the equation. Factoring makes it
easier to find the zeros. Today well be factoring more equations and looking at
how we can use these to know what the graphs look like and vice versa.
7. Start with quadratic equations. Factor them. Find the zeros. Graph the zeros and
predict what the graph will look like (using past knowledge such as if it is
negative x squared, it is upside down parabola, etc). Then graph it on calculator
and see if you were correct. Go over the first one. Review Rule: x + ax + bx + ab
= (x + a)(x + b).
8. Now, we will start with zeros and then finding a possible function with those
zeros by multiplying our factors. Graph on calculators. Go over the first one.
9. Bring it back to the original problem: what do these zeros mean? How can we
find zeros of a function? In what other real life situations can they be used?
a. Zeros are when the function intersects the x-axis
b. Set function equal to zero and factor it to make it easier
c. Any type of ball thrown upin spud, will know how long it will take for
the ball to return to your hand; similar with basketball shoot ups (Colleen
played).
10. Next class, we will discover another way to solve all quadratic equations
(introduce the quadratic formula which solves all quadratic equationsmeaning it
finds the zeros simply by plugging in the original quadratic formulas
coefficients!) Neat!

Assessment: (formative)
1. Walk around and see how well groups are working
2. See how good their estimates are when graph the functions
3. Participationresponses when called on

Assignment:
1. Factor more quadratic equations! We need lots of practice.
2. Find equations when given zeros.
3. Come up with real-life examples of quadratic problems. Use real numbers!
*Experiments next week so come up with good ones!

Resource: Holliday, et. al. (2008). Pre-Algebra. Glencoe: McGraw-Hill: New York,
NY. Pp. 726-735.
Coxford, et. al. (2003). Contemporary Mathematics in Context: A Unified
Approach. Glencoe: McGraw-Hill: New York, NY. Pp. 208-212.

Welcome to class! I hope everyones week is going well.

Please pair up and get started on the following problem
Last week we learned about quadratic functions in the
form of
f(x) = ax + bx + c. Today, we will be looking at this same
formula, but in a new context.
Lauren is practicing her jumps for cheerleading on the
trampoline. Her height in feet above the trampoline at any
time t seconds is given by the following formula:
h(t) = -16t + 24t
Graph this function on your graphing calculators and work on
these questions in your groups:
a. When will Lauren reach maximum height?
b. What will that height be?
c. When will she return to the trampoline surface?
Zeros: All x for which f(x)=0. If looking at a graph, the zeros
are the x values of where the function intersects the x-axis.
Factor these quadratic equations! Find their zeros and plot
the points on a graph. Predict what the graph will look like.
Remember rules such as positive or negative x means up or
down parabola. If needed, plot additional points. Then check
your answers on your calculators!
1. x + 5x + 6
2. x + 2x 15
3. 2x + 4x 6
4. 6x - x 1
Use these zeros to find quadratic formulas:
a. f(4)=0 and f(1)=0
b. f(5)=0 and f(-3)=0

c. g(-1)=0 and g(-5)=0

d. h(7)=0, h(0)=0 and h(2)=0
Name: _________________
Date: ________

Factoring Quadratic Equations

& Finding Zeros
Factor the following equations. Be sure to check your
answers.
1. f(x) = x + 6x + 8
2. h(x) = x - 7x + 12
3. j(x) = x - 5x 14
4. s(x) = x - 9
5. q(x) = 2x + 7x + 3

Form quadratic equations from each set of zeros by multiplying their

factored forms. Hint: If x = 1 and x = 3 are zeros, multiply (x-1)(x-3).
1. f(4) = 0 and f(5) = 0

2. g(-1)=0 and g(1)=0

3. u(-2)=0, u(0)=0 and u(9)=0

4. k(3) = 0, k(2)=0, k(-4)=0 and k(0)=0

Come up with 2 real-life problems which can be modeled by quadratic

equations. What would be an example of a quadratic equation for the
situation? What would the zeros mean? Is there a maximum or minimum?
What is it?