Quadratic functions and graphs

  • Fence it
    problem

    Fence it

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    If you have only 40 metres of fencing available, what is the maximum area of land you can fence off?
  • What's that graph?
    problem

    What's that graph?

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Can you work out which processes are represented by the graphs?

  • Guessing the graph
    problem

    Guessing the graph

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Can you suggest a curve to fit some experimental data? Can you work out where the data might have come from?
  • Which quadratic?
    problem

    Which quadratic?

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    This task develops knowledge of transformation of graphs. By framing and asking questions a member of the team has to find out which mathematical function they have chosen.
  • Geometric Parabola
    problem

    Geometric parabola

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Explore what happens when you draw graphs of quadratic equations with coefficients based on a geometric sequence.
  • Minus One Two Three
    problem

    Minus one two three

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Substitute -1, -2 or -3, into an algebraic expression and you'll get three results. Is it possible to tell in advance which of those three will be the largest ?
  • ' Tis Whole
    problem

    'Tis whole

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Take a few whole numbers away from a triangle number. If you know the mean of the remaining numbers can you find the triangle number and which numbers were removed?

  • Integral Inequality
    problem

    Integral inequality

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    An inequality involving integrals of squares of functions.
  • Parabolas Again
    problem

    Parabolas again

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Here is a pattern composed of the graphs of 14 parabolas. Can you find their equations?
  • Parabella
    problem

    Parabella

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    This is a beautiful result involving a parabola and parallels.