Curve Appeal - Mini-Project on Parabolas & Quadratic Functions
Project Description:
Parabolas are everywhere around us. We see it in art, in architecture, in nature, and in all kinds of objects. In this mini-project, we will create our very own original parabola. It could be in an artwork, an architectural drawing, or a functional product such as a parabolic solar cooker, parabolic sound mirror or an architectural model. We will then use this to investigate the mathematical representation of these parabolas in a quadratic equation, in order to understand the significance of each part of the representation.
Our Group Plan:
Our group is going to create an object that not only humans can enjoy viewing, but guinea pigs will enjoy sitting in. Our guinea pig hammock is the perfect demonstration of a parabola. It will also fit perfectly in the corner of any guinea pig cage!
The Formal Definition of a Parabola:
We see parabolas in our everyday lives. Qualities parabolas have are a vertex, x-intercepts (where the parabola hits the x-axis), focus (a fixed point on the interior of the parabola), and an axis of symmetry (a line that cuts the parabola in half, creating a mirror image). For examples, sources of light use a parabola. A parabola is a U-shaped curve that is mirror-symmetrical and can be placed anywhere on a plane. Parabolas are used in our everyday lives. The focus holds the bulb of the light’s bulb. Rays coming off of the focus point will reflect off of the parabola and the rays will be parallel to the axis of symmetry. This is why parabolas in arches are used to support bridges from the bottom. This is the beam of light that we see everyday in flashlights. Parabolas are common shapes found in architecture and buildings we see everyday. When stress is applied to one point of a parabola, the weight is evenly distributed throughout the structure.
The Process:
We followed a simple process to create our final product. We had to go out and find the materials needed for this project. After we had our materials, we had about four days to work in class. Everyone took turns sewing the different fabric together. It took us about three days. After we completed our final product, we sent the hammock home with Stevie. She set it up in Corncob's cage and he has been relaxing in this hammock since then.
Parabolas are everywhere around us. We see it in art, in architecture, in nature, and in all kinds of objects. In this mini-project, we will create our very own original parabola. It could be in an artwork, an architectural drawing, or a functional product such as a parabolic solar cooker, parabolic sound mirror or an architectural model. We will then use this to investigate the mathematical representation of these parabolas in a quadratic equation, in order to understand the significance of each part of the representation.
Our Group Plan:
Our group is going to create an object that not only humans can enjoy viewing, but guinea pigs will enjoy sitting in. Our guinea pig hammock is the perfect demonstration of a parabola. It will also fit perfectly in the corner of any guinea pig cage!
The Formal Definition of a Parabola:
We see parabolas in our everyday lives. Qualities parabolas have are a vertex, x-intercepts (where the parabola hits the x-axis), focus (a fixed point on the interior of the parabola), and an axis of symmetry (a line that cuts the parabola in half, creating a mirror image). For examples, sources of light use a parabola. A parabola is a U-shaped curve that is mirror-symmetrical and can be placed anywhere on a plane. Parabolas are used in our everyday lives. The focus holds the bulb of the light’s bulb. Rays coming off of the focus point will reflect off of the parabola and the rays will be parallel to the axis of symmetry. This is why parabolas in arches are used to support bridges from the bottom. This is the beam of light that we see everyday in flashlights. Parabolas are common shapes found in architecture and buildings we see everyday. When stress is applied to one point of a parabola, the weight is evenly distributed throughout the structure.
The Process:
We followed a simple process to create our final product. We had to go out and find the materials needed for this project. After we had our materials, we had about four days to work in class. Everyone took turns sewing the different fabric together. It took us about three days. After we completed our final product, we sent the hammock home with Stevie. She set it up in Corncob's cage and he has been relaxing in this hammock since then.
curveappealminiproject_write-up.docx | |
File Size: | 9 kb |
File Type: | docx |