Polynomial Roller Coasters

Use a graphing calculator to create several different possible roller coaster shapes by varying the values of the coefficients in the polynomial.

Subject: Algebra
Topics: Polynomial Equations and Functions
Grades: 9 - 12
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can relate aspects of the graph of a polynomial function to the coefficients

Download Teacher Guide: Polynomial Roller Coasters (PDF)
Download Student Activity: Polynomial Roller Coasters (PDF)

Algebra in the Real World Movie:

Roller CoastersRoller Coasters

The heart-pumping exhilaration keeps us coming back time and time again, but it’s the laws of the physics and a great deal of math that keep these thrill rides soaring through the air day after day.
Running time 2:00 minutes.

Watch the Movie