Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Algebra 2 Calculator Lessons

Bailie Cobble | Published: July 1st, 2025 by K20 Center

Summary

This collection of Algebra 2 lessons integrates the use of calculators to support students in problem-solving and conceptual understanding.

Resources

All About That Base, Part 1

Solving Exponential Equations

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

In this lesson, students will discover how to evaluate logarithms and use that knowledge to write equations in logarithmic and exponential forms. Students will learn how to solve exponential equations with and without using logarithms and then apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems involving... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson Hybrid
All About That Base, Part 1

Solving Exponential Equations

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.A.1.2, A2.F.2.4
More 2 class periods
Time Frame 90 minutes
Awesometh Degree of a Function

Polynomials

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

This lesson is an introduction to polynomials. Solving polynomials is not included in this lesson, and would be the next lesson after this one. Academic language as well as patterns in polynomial family functions is explored. Prerequisite knowledge would be an understanding of functions and exponents... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.F.1.5
More 90 minutes
Time Frame 1-2 class period(s)
Bounce Wiggle Cross

Polynomial Graphs

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 11th - 12th

Students will discover the three different types of x-intercepts that happen on polynomial functions. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Bounce Wiggle Cross

Polynomial Graphs

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 11th - 12th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2, Precalculus

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • PC.F.1.2
More 90 minutes
Time Frame 2 class period(s)
Can't Touch This, Part 1

Graphing Rational Functions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of domain and range to match pictures of graphs of rational functions with their corresponding domains and ranges. Students will learn about asymptotes, including what they are and how to find vertical and horizontal asymptotes of rational functions.... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson Hybrid
Can't Touch This, Part 1

Graphing Rational Functions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.F.1.6
More 2 periods
Time Frame 80-90 minutes
Can't Touch This, Part 2

Graphing Rational Functions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

In this lesson, students will work with rational functions that have 0, 1, or 2 vertical asymptotes and 0 or 1 horizontal asymptotes. Students will explore the relationship between the equation and graph of a rational function, learn what causes different types of asymptotes, and apply their knowledge... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson Hybrid
Can't Touch This, Part 2

Graphing Rational Functions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.F.1.6
More 2-3 periods
Time Frame 90-120 minutes
Function Rationally

Investigating Graphs of Rational Functions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

In this lesson, students will use an investigation to explore rational functions. Students will formalize their understanding of a rational function and continue to investigate the relationship between the equation of a simple rational function and its graph. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Function Rationally

Investigating Graphs of Rational Functions

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.F.1.6
More 2-3 class periods
Time Frame 120-135 minutes
The Great Divide

Polynomial Division

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 12th

In this lesson, students leverage their prior knowledge of numerical long division, factoring, and graphing as a foundation for exploring polynomial division. The lesson formalizes student knowledge of polynomial long division, covering both scenarios with and without remainders. Through active practice... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
The Great Divide

Polynomial Division

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 12th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.A.1.4
More 2-3 Class Periods
Time Frame 80 - 85 Minutes
Math In Motion

Visual Approach to Parabolas

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Students will use their knowledge of real world scenarios to graph a situation. After graphing, the students will use prior knowledge to connect vocabulary terms to the graphs that were created before practicing their own scenario to be graphed. This lesson is intended to introduce the basics of quadratics,... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Math In Motion

Visual Approach to Parabolas

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.F.1.3
More 2-3
Time Frame 100
Matrix Operations

Matrices in Computer Graphics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

In this lesson, students will discover how matrices are used in computer graphics. Students will learn how to perform the matrix operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and scalar multiplication. They will then learn how multiplying matrices relates to transformations and, in turn, animation... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Matrix Operations

Matrices in Computer Graphics

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.N.2.1, A2.N.2.2
More 2-3 class periods
Time Frame 90-130 minutes

In this activity, students will focus on how and when to use their calculator. Students will be given several algebraic problems to solve and will reflect on how to use their calculator to efficiently answer ACT-style math questions. This is the second activity in a 10-week "Power Up" series for ACT... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes

In this activity, students will recall perimeter and area and apply their knowledge to ACT-style problems. These problems will require students to think in a way that is expected for college and career readiness. This includes both recalling essential skills and applying knowledge to solve area and... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes

In this activity, students will focus on probability and Venn diagrams. Students will be given a brief introduction of probability, use Venn diagrams to help with counting, and then practice probability-related ACT-style math questions. This is the fourth activity in a 10-week "Power Up" series for... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes

In this activity, students will reflect on how they are feeling about the upcoming ACT, and then take a 10-minute practice test. Students will analyze their questions and reflect on why they may have guessed on any of the questions. This is the fifth activity in a 10-week "Power Up" series for ACT prep. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes

In this activity, students will explore function notation and operations. Students will use function composition and other operations to simplify and evaluate functions. This is the sixth activity in a 10-week "Power Up" series for ACT prep. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes

In this activity, students will practice pacing and using TestNav as they take an online practice ACT. This is the seventh activity in a 10-week "Power Up" series for ACT prep. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes

In this activity, students will learn how to approach story problems to make them less intimidating. Students will then apply their learning to a set of ACT-style math problems. This is the eighth activity in a 10-week "Power Up" series for ACT prep. Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes

In this activity, students will apply formulas common in secondary and early college-level mathematics in the context of a descriptive scenario. They will apply what they learned during "Power Up: Math ACT Prep, Week 8" to solve story problems that require formulas that are not given. Students will... Read more »

Educator Resource

Tag Target Audience

  • Students

Tag Calendar Placement

  • 3rd Nine Weeks, 4th Nine-Weeks

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Action Plans, Analyze, College-Going Culture, Critical Thinking, Self-assessment

Tag College & Career Readiness Framework

  • College Admissions Procedures, College Admissions, Paying for College, Grants, Scholarships and Loans

Tag Related

  • ACT Prep
More
Time Frame 35 minutes
Transformers, Part 2

Function Transformations

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Students will use a graphing calculator to explore function transformations on polynomial (quadratic and cubic), radical (square root and cube root), and transcendental (exponential and logarithmic) functions. Students then generalize these transformations using function notation. Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Transformers, Part 2

Function Transformations

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 10th - 11th

Course Course

  • Algebra 2

Subject Subject

  • Mathematics

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • A2.F.1.2
More 205 minutes
Time Frame 5 class periods

Standards

Oklahoma Academic Standards Mathematics (Algebra 2)
A2.N.2.1: Use matrices to organize and represent data. Identify the order (dimension) of a matrix.
A2.N.2.2: Use addition, subtraction, and scalar multiplication of matrices to solve problems.
A2.A.1.2: Use mathematical models to represent exponential relationships, such as compound interest, depreciation, and population growth. Solve these equations algebraically or graphically (including graphing calculator or other appropriate technology).
A2.A.1.4: Solve polynomial equations with real roots using various methods (e.g., polynomial division, synthetic division, using graphing calculators or other appropriate technology).
A2.F.1.2: Identify the parent forms of exponential, radical (square root and cube root only), quadratic, and logarithmic functions. Predict the effects of transformations [f(x + c), f(x) + c, f(cx), and cf(x)] algebraically and graphically.
A2.F.1.3: Graph a quadratic function. Identify the domain, range, x- and y-intercepts, maximum or minimum value, axis of symmetry, and vertex using various methods and tools that may include a graphing calculator or appropriate technology.
A2.F.1.5: Analyze the graph of a polynomial function by identifying the domain, range, intercepts, zeros, relative maxima, relative minima, and intervals of increase and decrease.
A2.F.1.6: Graph a rational function and identify the domain (including holes), range, x- and y-intercepts, vertical and horizontal asymptotes, using various methods and tools that may include a graphing calculator or other appropriate technology (excluding slant or oblique asymptotes).
A2.F.2.4: Apply the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic functions to convert from one form to another.
Oklahoma Academic Standards Mathematics (Precalculus)
PC.F.1.2: Sketch the graph of a function that models a relationship between two quantities, identifying key features.

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