Solving Real-World Scenarios with Quadratic Functions

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a practical guide to solving real-world word problems using quadratic functions. Hosted by a narrator named Justin, the lesson demonstrates how to interpret mathematical questions in context—such as finding the maximum height of a projectile, the minimum sales in a business model, or the starting height of an object—and maps them to specific features of a parabola (roots, vertex, and y-intercept). The video walks through three distinct examples: calculating the flight time of a T-shirt launched from a cannon, determining the month of lowest sales for a hot cocoa stand, and finding the launch height of a remote-controlled airplane. For each scenario, the narrator presents the function in a different form (vertex, standard, or factored) and models a specific algebraic method to find the solution, while acknowledging that multiple methods (like the quadratic formula or factoring) can yield the same result. This resource is highly valuable for Algebra students bridging the gap between abstract equations and practical application. It explicitly models the decision-making process mathematicians use when choosing the most efficient method to solve a problem based on the available information. Teachers can use this video to reinforce the properties of quadratic forms and to encourage flexible thinking in problem-solving strategies.