Algebra 2 Activities

Download Algebra 2 Activities and Teacher Activity Notes. Access the Fathom files for these activities by selecting File, Open Sample Document, and choosing the relevant file from the folder “Teaching Math with Fathom.” Descriptions of the activities are given below.

  • Mauna Loa: Since 1958, air samples have been continuously collected at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawai’i and analyzed for carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. CO2 is one of the “greenhouse gases” that scientists monitor in relation to global warming. In this activity you’ll see if there are any patterns in the Mauna Loa data.
  • Function Transformations: In this activity you’ll study data that perfectly fit quadratic, absolute value, exponential, square root, inverse variation, and linear functions. By changing the data, you’ll explore how the equation of the function changes.
  • Moore’s Law: In 1965, Gordon Moore, cofounder of Intel, made a famous proposal that computer processors would get more powerful exponentially. You’ll test Moore’s Law by using an exponential function to model data about Intel’s processors, determine how frequently the number of transistors doubles, and predict the future of CPUs.
  • Printing Paragraphs: You have a handout with seven paragraphs on it. They’re all exactly the same text, but set in columns of different widths. When the paragraph is really wide, it is also really short. Conversely, narrow paragraphs are really long. Exactly how does the height of the paragraph depend on the width? In this activity you’ll find a function that models the data, and you’ll use a residual plot to improve your model.
  • How Much Paper is Left?: You have a full roll of adding-machine paper. The question for this activity is “How much paper is on the roll?” You can use the diameter to determine the roll’s size, but you must first determine how the diameter of the roll relates to how much paper you pull off. Once you find a mathematical model, you can calculate the total length without unrolling the paper.
  • Compound Interest: In this activity you’ll use Fathom to explore compound interest. By watching the balance change as you adjust parameters, you’ll come to understand how compound interest works.