Understanding By Design Unit Template

Title of Unit
Curriculum Area
Developed By

Rational Functions and Complex

Zeros
Pre-Calculus
Amanda Orban

Grade Level

11th and 12th Grade

Time Frame

9 Days

Identify Desired Results (Stage 1)

Content Standards
Common Core Standards Addressed:
High School Number and Quantity
CCSS High School: The Complex Number System
HSN.CN.A: Perform arithmetic operations with complex numbers.
o HSN.CN.A.1: Know there is a complex number i such that i2 = -1, and every complex number has the form a +
bi with a and b real.
o HSN.CN.A.2: Use the relation i2 = -1 and the commutative, associative, and distributive properties to add, subtract, and
multiply complex numbers.
o HSN.CN.A.3: Find the conjugate of a complex number; use conjugates to find moduli and quotients of complex numbers.

HSN.CN.C: Use complex numbers in polynomial identities and equations.

o
o
o

HSN.CN.C.7: Solve quadratic equations with real coefficients that have complex solutions.
HSN.CN.C.8: Extend polynomial identities to the complex numbers. For example, rewrite x2 + 4 as (x + 2i)(x - 2i).
HSN.CN.C.9: Know the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra; show that it is true for quadratic polynomials.

High School Algebra

CCSS High School: Arithmetic with Polynomials & Rational Expressions

HAS.APR.B: Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials.

o

HSA.APR.B.3: Identify zeros of polynomials when suitable factorizations are available, and use the zeros to construct a
rough graph of the function defined by the polynomial.

Additional Course Goals:

Understand standard form of a+bi and how to reduce various expressions to that form.
Interpret polynomial functions in terms of the number of zeros it should have.
Find the zeros of a polynomial functions as well as determine other zeros given one complex zero.
Communicate their understanding of complex numbers as well as zeros of polynomial functions.

Standards of Mathematical Practice Addressed:

CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5: Use appropriate tools strategically.
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP6: Attend to precision.
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7: Look for and make use of structure.
CCSS.Math.Practice.MP8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Understandings

Essential Questions

Overarching Understanding
- Students will understand that the imaginary number, i , equals the
square root of negative one.
- Students will understand how to manipulate complex number
expressions and simplify using the indicated operation such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
- Students will understand the importance of knowing that i= 1
when it comes to reducing radical expressions.
- Students will understand that the conjugate of a complex expression is
when the sign in between the two terms is changed from positive to
negative or vice versa.
- Students will understand how to write their solutions in standard form.
- Students will understand to find the zeros for a polynomial equation by
using the Rational Zero Theorem, factoring and the quadratic formula.
Related Misconceptions
Due to the fact that many students have a basic understanding of what
i represents, I believe some will have trouble seeing it as a more
complex concept. For example, when simplifying radicals students will
struggle to recognize that they have to factor out the square root of
1 . When it comes to simplifying complex number expressions by
subtraction, students will forget to distribute the negative to both terms
in the second quantity. Additionally, students may struggle to remember
what the conjugate is as well as when it is appropriate to use in
simplifying an expression. Lastly, students may forget that when given a
complex zero of a+bi they also have the zero of abi .

Overarching
How do these problems
and concepts relate to
our last unit?
o Sections 2.1 2.4
Is there a pattern that
happens when we
multiply a complex
number with its
conjugate?

How are these problems

similar in regards to their
processes and solutions?

How can I remember this

information without
memorizing it?

Topical
When simplifying
radicals, what should you
always do first?

What happens when we

multiply i by i ?
o
iby iby i ?
o
iby iby iby i?

In order to find i to a
large number, such as
i 109 , up to what value
of i do you need to
know?

If I know one zero, which

property can I use to find
the remaining ones?

Where is the multiplicity

or a zero incorporated
into a polynomial
equation? How does that
impact the overall degree
of my equation?

Objectives
Skills

Knowledge
Students will know

Students will be able to

the definition of complex numbers and the standard form of which they
are written in; how to simplify complex expressions when they are being
added, subtracted, multiplied and divided; i= 1 ; what happens
when you multiply i by i , etc.; how to write a linear factorization
of a function after finding the zeros of a polynomial function; how to find
the zeros of a polynomial function when given a zero or by using the
Rational Zero Theorem.

simplify a complex number expression; multiply i to a

certain degree; simplify a radical that involves a negative;
correctly multiply a complex number by its conjugate; write
an expression in standard form given a set of zeros or a set
of zeros and the multiplicity of each; find all of the zeros of a
polynomial function and write them in a linear factorization.

Assessment Evidence (Stage 2)

Performance Task Description: Test on 2.5 and 2.6
Goal
Role
Audience
Situation

Product/Performance

Standards

Assess students ability to simplify complex number expressions and in turn

understand the properties of imaginary numbers. Students will also demonstrate
their ability to solve for the zeros of a given polynomial function using the Rational
Zero Theorem and the quadratic formula. Students will be able to find an equation in
standard form when given a set of zeros.
Unit Test (2.5 2.6)
Mrs. Valentine (Mentor Teacher)
The assessment will be completed during the middle of the unit. Students have
already taken a test on the first four sections of the unit. Students will take this
assessment in the classroom. They will be allowed the entire class period and extra
time during lunch or after school will be arranged for students who did not finish.
Students will complete the entire test. Students who receive a score of 75 or lower
will be given the opportunity to do test corrections and improve their score up to a
75 .
HSN.CN.A: Perform arithmetic operations with complex numbers.
o HSN.CN.A.1: Know there is a complex number i such that i2 = -1, and
every complex number has the form a + bi with a and b real.
o HSN.CN.A.2: Use the relation i2 = -1 and the commutative, associative,
and distributive properties to add, subtract, and multiply complex
numbers.
o HSN.CN.A.3: Find the conjugate of a complex number; use conjugates to
find moduli and quotients of complex numbers.

HSN.CN.C: Use complex numbers in polynomial identities and equations.

o HSN.CN.C.7: Solve quadratic equations with real coefficients that have

complex solutions.
o HSN.CN.C.8: Extend polynomial identities to the complex numbers. For
example, rewrite x2 + 4 as (x + 2i)(x - 2i).
o HSN.CN.C.9: Know the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra; show that it is
true for quadratic polynomials.

Other Evidence
Warm Ups: Students complete problems on the white board.
Exit Slips
Lesson Experiment: Pass the Problem

Learning Plan (Stage 3)

Day in
Unit
Day 1
November
3rd

Day 2
November
4th

Lesson Topic

ACT Prep

2.5: Complex
Number
Arithmetic

Lesson Learning
Objective
11th graders will be
working through an ACT
practice so they can get
scored.

Description of how
lesson contributes to
unit-level objectives
11th graders will be
working through an ACT
practice so they can get
scored.

12th grades will be working 12th grades will be

on Rational Zero
working on Rational Zero
Problems.
Problems. These will be
good review problems as
this concept is relevant in
this current unit when it
comes to finding zeros of
polynomial functions.
Students will be able to
This lesson meets the
manipulate complex
unit objective of students
number expressions and
being able to perform
simplify using the
arithmetic operations
indicated operation such
with complex numbers.

Assessment activities

11th graders will be

working through an ACT
practice so they can get
scored.
12th grades will be working
on Rational Zero Problems.

Warm-Up Activity: Students

will be given problems that
include adding, subtracting
and multiplying two
quantities that do not

as addition, subtraction,
multiplication and
division. This will build on
their knowledge of
simplifying linear
expressions.

Day 3
November
5th

2.6: Solving
Polynomial
Equations
with Complex
Zeros

Students will apply their

knowledge of the Rational
Zero Theorem in order to
solve for the zeros of a
polynomial function.

Day 4
November
6th

2.6: Solving
Polynomial
Equations
with Complex
Zeros

Students will continue to

solve for zeros of
polynomial equations. The
lesson will build on their
previous knowledge by
providing them with a
complex zero and asking
to find the remaining
ones.

This lesson will also help

students to understand
the objectives of what i
represents as well as
learn the concept of the
conjugate.

include imaginary
numbers.
1.
( 2 x + 4 ) + ( x5 )
2.
(3 x1)(7+ x )
3.
(x6)(3 x9)
Students will also be asked
for the definition of i .

HW: Worksheet of
simplifying complex
numbers using various
operations.
This lesson will
Warm-Up Activity: Students
accomplish the unit goal
will be given problems that
of solving quadratic
reflect on the previous
equations with real
lesson.
i.
coefficients that have
( 4 +i )+ (3+2 i )
complex solutions. This
ii.
( 7+2 i )( 16 i )
will also accomplish the
iii.
( 4 +5 i ) ( 45 i )
goal of students being
iv. ( 3+i )3
able to simplify radicals
HW: Students will have a
that involve a negative. In worksheet focusing on
other words, that
finding real and complex
1=i .
zeros of polynomial
functions.
This lesson will
Warm-Up Activity: Students
accomplish the unit
will have a problem where
objective of identifying
they will find the zeros of a
the zeros of polynomials
polynomial function.
when suitable
factorizations are
HW: Students will have a
available. This lesson
worksheet focusing on
also introduces students
finding real and complex
to synthetic division with
zeros of polynomial
a complex zero. Students functions when given the

Day 5
November
7th

Day 6
November
10th

2.6: Solving
Polynomial
Equations
with Complex
Zeros

2.6: Solving
Polynomial
Equations
with Complex
Zeros

Students will be able to

write an equation in
standard form when
provided with a set of real
and complex zeros.

Students will be able to

write an equation in
standard form when given
a set of zeros and their
multiplicity.

will essentially treat i

as a variable and proceed
accordingly.
This lesson will
accomplish the unit
objective of
understanding the
relationship between
zeros and factors of
polynomials. In other
words, students will be
able to recognize that a
set of zeros will always
include the conjugate of
the complex zero. This
lesson will also
strengthen their ability to
perform arithmetic
operations with complex
numbers.
This lesson will
accomplish the unit
objective of
understanding the
relationship between
zeros and factors of
polynomials.
While this lesson will
concentrate on their
ability to perform
arithmetic operations
with complex numbers it
will also build on their
previous knowledge of

first one.
Warm-Up Activity: Students
will solve for the remaining
zeros of a polynomial
function when given a
complex zero.
HW: Students will have a
worksheet focusing on
finding an equation in
standard form when given
a set of real and complex
zeros.

Warm-Up Activity: Students

will write an equation in
standard form when given
a set of zeros.
Exit Slip: Students will
complete a problem
regarding solving zeros of
a polynomial. This will be
used to form groups for the
activity the next day.
HW: Students will have a
worksheet focusing on
finding an equation in

Day 7
November
11th

2.6: Solving
Polynomial
Equations
with Complex
Zeros

Students will reflect on

their true knowledge and
understanding in regards
to solving for zeros of
polynomial functions as
well as their ability to
write equations.

multiplicity in regards to
the zeros of the
polynomial.

standard form when given

a set of zeros and their
multiplicity.

Students will spend the

hour working through
various problems
regarding zeros of
polynomial equations.

Pass The Problem: Student

will be broken up into
groups of four and each
pair of students will be
given a problem to start
and it will be completed by
the other group.

The lesson objective that is

covered is understanding the
relationship between zeros and
factors of polynomials.

Day 8
November
12th

Day 9
November

Review

Review

Students will be able to

clear up their
misconceptions and gain
confidence in their
knowledge about the
material. They students
will also be able get clarity
from me and the other
students about their
overall understanding of
the content.

Go over and discuss any

questions from the review

Students will be able to

communicate their
knowledge and
understanding about
complex numbers and
zeros of polynomial
functions.

Students will assess their

ability to simplify complex

HW: Think about questions

and concerns they have in
regards to the units
material.
Warm-Up Activity: Students
will be asked to write down
at least three questions
that they have. (This may
be done with a partner).
If time permits: Students
will be able to work on the
review that is due
tomorrow. (Will be their
homework)
Exit Slip: Students will
write down a question they
still have and their
homework will be to find
the solution.
Review

13th

Day 10
November
14th

packet.

Test on 2.52.6

Students will demonstrate

their understanding of
complex numbers and
their ability to find zeros.

number expressions and

write them in standard
form, solve for zeros of a
polynomial function when
given a zero or by using
the Rational Zero
Theorem, and find an
equation in standard form
when given a set of zeros.
Students will demonstrate Test (uploaded)
their understanding of
complex numbers, their
ability to find the zeros of
polynomial functions and
lastly their ability to write
their solutions as a linear
factorization or in
standard form. Students
will also show their
conceptual knowledge in
regards to the Q and A
review that we had.