Mirror Curvature

Find the quadratic equations that describe a collection of possible mirror shapes.

Subject: Mathematics
Topics: Algebra, Quadratic Functions
Grades: 6 - 9
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can recognize a parabolic shape
- Can relate the coefficients of a quadratic function to their influence on the shape and position of the parabolic graph of that function
- Can determine the equation of a quadratic function that closely matches a set of points

Download Teacher Guide: Mirror Curvature (PDF)
Download Student Lesson: Mirror Curvature (PDF)

Looking into TimeLooking into Time:

The science of optics teaches us how to make "bigger eyes", and if you want to look at something very far away, or very faint, you're going to need a really huge eye--such as the one used at Kitt Peak by astronomers studying distant galaxies.
Running time 3:29 minutes.

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