 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Course
4 Unit 2 - Modeling Motion
1st Edition
In the previous units of the Contemporary Mathematics in Context program, students have developed the ability to model and solve problems involving data, change, shape, and chance. In Modeling Motion, concepts and methods of geometry, trigonometry, and algebra are combined to develop powerful tools for representing and analyzing the motion of objects. (See the descriptions of Course 4 Units.)
Unit Overview
This unit introduces two-dimensional vectors and parametric representations of linear and nonlinear motion.
Unit Objectives
|
Sample Overview
The sample material is the fourth investigation of Lesson 2, "Simulating Linear and Nonlinear Motion." In this investigation, students model circular and elliptical motion parametrically. Students draw on their understanding of transformations of function graphs to modify graphs of parametric equations to fit problem situations.
Instructional Design
Throughout the curriculum, interesting problem contexts serve as the foundation for instruction. As lessons unfold around these problem situations, classroom instruction tends to follow a common pattern as elaborated under Instructional Design.
View Sample Material
You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and print the sample material.
- Unit Table of Contents (C4U2_TOC.pdf -
60 kb)
- Lesson 2 (C4U2_123-126.pdf - 793 kb)
Contact Adobe with any technical questions about their software or its installation.
How the Geometry and Trigonometry Strand Continues
In Course 4, Unit 7, Functions and Symbolic Reasoning, students intending to pursue college majors in the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences, or engineering develop proficiency in reasoning with and manipulating symbolic representations of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. They use trigonometric functions, identities, and polar coordinates to develop an understanding of the geometry of complex numbers. In Unit 8, Space Geometry, students extend their ability to visualize and represent three-dimensional surfaces using contours, cross sections, and reliefs and to visualize and sketch surfaces and conic sections defined by algebraic equations.