Welcome to Maddie's Algebra Tutorials, a fun and beginner-friendly set of Jupyter notebooks designed to help students understand quadratic equations and parabolas through real-world examples and engaging visuals.
This project was built with Maddie (a 14-year-old student) in mind, using ELI5-style explanations, storytelling, and colorful annotations to make algebra accessible and memorable.
These tutorials focus on core concepts behind quadratic equations, including:
- Understanding the standard form of a quadratic equation
- Visualizing and interpreting parabolas
- Finding the vertex, maximum height, and zeroes of a function
- Applying math to real-life situations like rockets, sports, and adventure scenes
Each notebook uses a step-by-step format with plain-language breakdowns, real-world context, and colorful charts to reinforce concepts visually.
Here are the core lessons currently available in the project:
🌈 0. Intro to Parabolas
An illustrated, beginner-friendly guide to what parabolas are, how they relate to quadratic equations, and why they matter.
⚽ 1. Soccer Ball Kick
Maddie kicks a soccer ball into the air. Learn how to model the ball's flight path with a quadratic function, and find out when it hits the ground!
🎆 2. Firework Rocket
Follow a firework launched from a hill as it rises, explodes at the top, and splashes down into a lake. Analyze height over time using a classic projectile formula.
🏐 3. Volleyball Serve
A volleyball is served high over the net! Use a parabola to determine if it clears the net and when it lands.
🏔️ 4. Jason's Cliff Jump
Jason jumps off a cliff into water below. Explore how parabolas can model his jump and predict how long it takes to splash down.
Each notebook includes:
- 🔗 A link to printable PDF versions (in
/pdfs/) and HTML versions (in/htmls/) - 📗 Friendly explanations, emojis, and real-world context
- 📈 Visual plots with labeled key points (peak, splashdown, etc.)
This project is perfect for:
- 👩🎓 Students learning parabolas for the first time
- 🏫 Homeschool or self-paced learning
- 🏫 Teachers looking for creative algebra lesson material
To use these notebooks:
- Clone the repo or download the files
- Launch Jupyter Notebook
- Open any file in the
notebooks/folder
PDF versions for printing are available in the /pdfs/ directory.
HTML versions for browser viewing are now located in the /htmls/ directory.
Created by @itprodirect to help students explore the magic of parabolas ✨