Algebra Adventure
  • Adventure Central
  • Quadratic Quandry
    • Level One: Quadratics In Vertex Form>
      • What is Vertex Form
      • Transforming General Form to Vertex Form
      • Will it Hit The Hoop?
    • Level Two: Graphs Using Vertex Form>
      • Graphing Quadratics in Vertex Form
      • Quadratic Modeling Using Vertex Form
      • Project: Modeling the Golden Gate Bridge
      • Project: Quadratic Regression Modeling
    • Level Three: Optimization Using Quadratic Functions>
      • What is Optimization?
      • Optimization With Quadratic Functions
      • Problem Solving With Quadratic Optimization
  • Sequences Spree
    • Level One: Arithmetic Sequences>
      • Number Sequences
      • Identifying and Using Arithmetic Sequences
      • Problem Solving With Arithmetic Sequences
    • Level Two: Geometric Sequences>
      • Identifying and Using Geometric Sequences
      • Connection: Geometric Sequences & Exponentials
      • Problem Solving With Geometric Sequences>
        • Double Sunglasses
        • Fry's Bank
        • Incredible Shrinking Dollar
  • Logarithm Legend
    • Level One: Intro to Logarithms>
      • Logarithms & Exponentials
      • Logarithms in Base 10
    • Level Two: The Laws of Logarithms & Natural Logs>
      • Investigation: Discovering the Laws of Logarithms
      • Using the Laws of Logarithms
      • Natural Logarithms
    • Level Three: Applications of Logarithms>
      • Solving Exponential Equations Using logs
      • Further Problem Solving Using Logs>
        • Double Sunglasses: Reprise
        • Fry's Bank: Reprise
        • Domino Skyscraper

Investigation: Will it Hit the Hoop?

For this investigation, you will need to use the Geogebra graphing software package. If you do not already have this software, you can download it here. This is a free download.

To complete the investigation, please follow the following procedure.
  1. Watch the Act One video clip for Take One.
  2. Open the .gbb Geogebra file for Act Two, Take One. You may have to adjust the image until you see three sliders near the top of the page, and the x - axis at the bottom of the page.
  3. Adjust the sliders until you have created a graph that fits the path of the ball. Your goal is to model the ball's path to see if he will make a basket; not all of his attempts are successful, so do not try to just come up with a path that goes through the basket.
  4. Write down the equation you get for each of your graphs shown on the bottom of the page. You will notice that these equations are in vertex form.
  5. Answer the question, "Will it hit the hoop?"
  6. Repeat steps 1 - 5 for each of the remaining takes.
"Will it Hit the Hoop" by Dan Meyer, CC - BY NC
Act One Videos

Take One
Take Two
Take Three
Take Four
Act Two Geogebra files

Take One
act_2_take_1.ggb
File Size: 1519 kb
File Type: ggb
Download File










Take Two
act2_take_2.ggb
File Size: 1493 kb
File Type: ggb
Download File











Take Three
act_2_take_3.ggb
File Size: 1525 kb
File Type: ggb
Download File










Take Four
act_2_take_4.ggb
File Size: 1494 kb
File Type: ggb
Download File

Use your observations from the investigation to complete the following in a word-processed document.

  1. Describe the effect that changes in the parameter a has on the graph of the parabola.
  2. Describe the effect that changes in the parameter h has on the graph of the parabola.
  3. Describe the effect that changes in the parameter k has on the graph of the parabola.
Please submit all of the completed written work for this investigation to your teacher for evaluation and feedback; this includes your equations and answers from the video and Geogebra investigations, and your responses to the three items above.
This completes first level of Quadratic Quandary!

Once you have successfully completed this investigation, your your teacher will give you approval to move on to the next level.

Next, go to the "Level Two: Graphs Using Vertex Form" page, or click on the button below to continue the adventure!

continue the adventure!