few_shots: 
Example 1:
Problem/activity:
Find the general solution for:
$${\mathrm{cos}\left({\pi\over2}+x\right)=\mathrm{tan}{\pi\over4}}$$


Concept/skill: 
Prove the addition and subtraction formulas for sine, cosine, and tangent and use them to solve problems.

Answer: 
Yes. An initial step when solving for x in this problem requires the use of the addition formula for cosine on the left side of the equation.

Example 2:
Problem/activity:
Task
Solve the quadratic equation
$$ x^2 = (2x - 9)^2 $$
using as many different methods as possible.


Concept/skill: 
Understand that the graph of an equation in two variables is the set of all its solutions plotted in the coordinate plane, often forming a curve (which could be a line).

Answer: 
No. This task does not involve an equation in two variables. There is only one variable, x.

Example 3:
Problem/activity:
Task
Suppose $A$ is an angle with vertex $P$, as pictured below:
[IMG]
Draw a circle with center $P$ and with  radius $r \gt 0$.  Explain why the circle
meets each ray of angle $A$ in a single point.  Label these points $Q$ and $R$ respectively.
Draw circles with centers $Q$ and $R$ respectively and radius $r$.  These circles meet at $P$ and a second point to be labelled $B$.
Show that ray $\overrightarrow{PB}$  bisects angle $P$.


Concept/skill: 
Construct a tangent line from a point outside a given circle to the circle.

Answer: 
No. This task does not involve drawing lines that are tangent to circles. The only line that may be drawn is the ray between points P and B.

Now, assess whether the following problem or activity is 'aligned' with the given Common Core standard in Mathematics.

shot_info: fl_problem_001894_pos_0

HS_0

im_task_000870_neg_0

HS_1

im_task_001160_neg_0

HS_2
standard_description: Construct linear and exponential functions, including arithmetic and geometric sequences, given a graph, a description of a relationship, or two input-output pairs (include reading these from a table).
problem_activity: Activity
The purpose of this activity is to review how to create a scatter plot using technology and come up with a function to model the data. This work is similar to the work in the associated Algebra 1 lesson, but includes more explicit instructions and steps toward analyzing data and choosing an appropriate model (MP4).
Launch
Display the table of data for all to see, and ask students whether they think a linear or exponential model would be a better fit for this data. After a minute of quiet think time, ask a few students to share their reasoning.
If needed, demonstrate using graphing technology to input the given data and create a scatter plot.
If the graphing technology platform you are using allows it, consider showing students how to create sliders. In Desmos, simply type
\(y=mx+c\)
in the expressions list, and then click “all” to add sliders for both
\(m\)
and
\(c\)
. You may need to adjust the maximum value of one or both sliders to be able to use them to create a good model for this data.
Student Facing
In the spring, an agave plant sends up a flower spike. Here are some data collected from an agave plant in a garden in Tucson, AZ, starting on April 2:
[IMG]
| day | height in inches |
|-----|------------------|
|  0  |        17        |
|  1  |        23        |
|  2  |        29        |
|  3  |        37        |
|  4  |        45        |
|  5  |        52        |
|  6  |        62        |
|  7  |        70        |
|  8  |        80        |
Use graphing technology to create a scatter plot, using days as the first coordinate and height as the second coordinate.
Would a linear or exponential model be a better fit for this data?
Create a function that is a good model for the data. If you chose an exponential model, start with the equation
\(y=a \boldcdot b^x\)
and select values for
\(a\)
and
\(b\)
. If you chose a linear model, start with the equation
\(y=mx+c\)
, and select values for
\(m\)
and
\(c\)
.
Graph your equation on that same coordinate plane as your scatter plot. Adjust the numbers you used in the equation to improve your model.
Explain what each number in your equation means in this situation.
Use your model to predict the height of the flower spike on day 10.
Describe any limitations on the domain of the function modeling the data.
Student Response
Teachers with a valid work email address can
click here to register or sign in
for free access to Student Response.
Activity Synthesis
Display the scatter plot using technology. Explore some of the different equations students used as a model. Discuss which model is the better fit, and what makes a model a good fit. Invite students to share their responses to the last three questions.


aligns: yes