Display Title

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE: Algebra Application: Accident Investigation

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE: Algebra Application: Accident Investigation

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.

This is part of a collection of real world applications of algebra presented in GoogleDoc form. To see the complete collection of these resources, click on this link.

Note: The download is the PDF version of the GoogleDoc.

Library of Instructional Resources

To see the complete library of Instructional Resources , click on this link.

Common Core Standards CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.F.B.5, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.A.2, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSA.CED.A.1, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.IF.C.7.A
Grade Range 8 - 10
Curriculum Nodes Algebra
    • Quadratic Functions and Equations
        • Applications of Quadratic Functions
        • Quadratic Equations and Functions
Copyright Year 2021
Keywords applications of quadratic functions, mathematical modeling, Python program, square root, quadratic functions in standard form