Previously, students used simple quadratic functions to describe how an object falls over time, given the effect of gravity. In this lesson, they build on that understanding and construct quadratic functions to represent projectile motions. Along the way, they learn about the zeros of a function and the vertex of a graph. They also begin to consider appropriate domains for a function, given the situation it represents.

To highlight the meaning of the terms in a quadratic model for projectile motion, students first model an object launched, without considering gravity. Then they adjust the model (MP4) to account for gravity, different launch speeds, and different initial heights.