Understanding Quadratic Functions Using Real World Problems and IT

Konferenzbeitrag

The concept of function is crucial to a great extent in modern mathematics and is considered a major barrier to many mathematics students. Students have difficulty interpreting information related to functions in general, and quadratic functions in particular. Quadratic Function is one of the topics which are covered in a course which is compulsory for a large number of students in the General Education Program of Zayed University. This program leads to different majors, including Mathematics Education, Business, Information Technology, and other majors. The challenge in teaching Quadratic Function in a course like this is mostly based on the fact that many students think that Quadratic Function is a difficult topic to understand and learn, and some teachers would agree with them that it is difficult to teach. In this paper, I demonstrate real world problems aimed to improve the students understanding of Quadratic Functions; life problems on this topic support developing student’s knowledge, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and analytical skills. This paper also includes examples of the techniques used with graphing of quadratic function, the algebra, and inverses of the same function. International move to improve mathematics curriculum have supported new goals for student’s learning which highlights problem solving skills, reasoning, ability to work in groups and individually, and use of technology. Knowing that information technology plays considerable role in achieving the above goals, teaching students the concept of Quadratic Functions can be smoothly achieved by using Information Technology in solving real world problems.

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Proceedings of the tenth International Conference Models in Developing Mathematics Education. - Dresden : Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft, 2009. - S. 291 - 295
• Related object and literature: urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-79236 ; qucosa:1658

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Mathematik

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Karim, Nakhshin A.
• Event: Herstellung
• (who): HTW Dresden

Further information

• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-80316
• Last update: 14.03.2025, 8:16 AM CET