Maryland Math P.IPE.A.2
The Standard
Use parametric equations to model and solve motion problems.
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics (2025) · Analyze parametric equations.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students describe horizontal and vertical position using the same time variable. They use the equations to find an object's position, landing time, or meeting point with another object.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student uses one time value in both equations to plot a position. They find when an object lands, reject times before launch, and use the landing time to find horizontal distance.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may use different times for the horizontal and vertical positions. They may think two objects collide because their paths cross, even if they reach that point at different times.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A ball follows x(t)=4t and y(t)=8t-4t², with distance in meters and time in seconds. When does it land after launch, and how far is it from its starting point?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Tape a floor grid; step one square right and two up per beat, mark each position, and write x(t) and y(t).
Ask: Two runners follow x(t)=t and x(t)=t+1 along y=0. Do they ever meet? Explain using the same time for both.
Give pairs cards for t=0, 1, 2 and x(t)=2t, y(t)=6-t²; race to match each time to a coordinate card.
Use a phone clip of a tossed ball; mark its height and horizontal distance at three times, then predict where it lands.
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Printable P.IPE.A.2 Worksheet
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