The Algebra of Throwing - Equations of Motion

A challenging guided investigation for Lower Secondary pupils into the height reached and flight time of a thrown object Gives a real and engaging context for helping pupils to understand WHY algebra is useful, There is enough material here for at least a week's work, possibly more, depending on pupils' level.

Contains full notes for teachers and a carefully structured set of worksheets, which lead pupils step by step through the thinking process. g (the acceleration due to gravity) is taken to be -10 throughout, rather than -9.8, so an appealingly simple set of numbers results.

Encourages children to explore patterns and to make predictions, some of which, interestingly, turn out to be false. Numerous opportunities are given for consolidating skills in evaluating expressions and solving equations, including those where negative numbers are involved. Graphing of the equations of motion is also thoroughly explored.