Math Performance Tasks: 9th – 12th Grade

Algebra 1

Task 1:

Expressions with a Picture Frame

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Structure of Expressions. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand how to rewrite expressions in different equivalent forms; how to rewrite algebraic expressions in different equivalent forms using factoring techniques; and how to simplify expressions.

Task 2:

Polynomials in the Garden

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Operations with Polynomials. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand the laws of exponents; the definition of a polynomial; polynomials are closed under the operations of addition, subtraction and multiplication; and how to simplify expressions by combining like terms.

Task 3:

Quadratics and Volleyball

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Solving Quadratic Equations in One Variable. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand the quadratic formula; the process of completing the square; various methods to solving a quadratic equation; square rooting both sides of an equation yields two solutions; and the quadratic formula can be used to find complex solutions.

Task 4:

Systems and Food

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Systems of Equations. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand the properties for transforming equations; how to create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems; how to create equations in two variables to represent relationships between quantities and find solutions; and how to graph equations on a coordinate axes.

Algebra 2

Task 1:

Factoring a Wood Sculpture

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Factoring and Finding Zeros. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand zeros of polynomial functions; factors of polynomials; and how multiple zeros affect a graph.

Task 2:

Rational Exponents with Pool Dimensions

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Rational Exponents. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand the laws of exponents; rational numbers can be used as exponents; and a rational exponent represents both an integer exponent and an n^throot.

Task 3:

Volume of the Coffee Mug Container

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Long Division and the Remainder Theorem. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand the long division process; factors of polynomials; functions can be represented in a variety of ways; and the order arranging terms when dividing polynomials.

Task 4:

Population Growth

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Solving Radical Equations. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand how to solve equations; why isolating a variable is important; how to eliminate a rational exponent; extraneous solutions; and how to eliminate a radical sign.

Geometry

Task 1:

Angle Measures

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on the Triangle Angle-Sum Theorem. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand the sum of the angle measures of a triangle is always the same; any exterior angle of a triangle has a special relationship with the two remote interior angles of a triangle; and angle relationships given parallel lines and transversals.

Task 2:

Designing a Package

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Applying Geometric Methods to Solve Design Problems. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand attributes of geometric figures; volume of three-dimensional shapes; and volume of a sphere can be found when its radius is known.

Task 3:

Proving a Polygon

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on Using Coordinates to Prove Simple Geometric Figures. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand that the relationship between parallel or perpendicular lines can sometimes be used to write the equation of a line; slopes of parallel lines are equal; slopes of perpendicular lines must be opposite reciprocals of each other; and using the formula for slope, distance and midpoint can help classify figures in a coordinate plane.

Task 4:

Right Triangles

Summary

This Performance Task focuses on the Pythagorean Theorem. The core ideas for this task are that students will understand the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse in a right triangle; and the sum of the squares of the lengths of two sides of a triangle is equal to the square of the third side when the triangle is a right triangle.