Performance Task
Basic Calculus Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics
PERFORMANCE TASK 4.1
Rate of Change
Goal
Your goal is to explain the concept of rate of change using derivatives and apply it to real-world problems.
Role
You are a freelance writer and graphic designer tasked with creating educational materials.
Audience
You need to impress a team of editors who are developing educational content for high school students
Situation
A team of educational editors is looking for someone who can explain complex mathematical concepts in
a clear and engaging way. You have been given five days to create a sample material demonstrating how
derivatives can be used to model and solve real-world problems, particularly focusing on rates of
change.
Product, Performance, and Purpose
This task will be completed by group. As a group, you are required to create a two-page infographic that
explains the concept of derivatives and their application to real-world situations. Your infographic should
include:
1. Key Terms and Concepts:
Definition of a derivative as the rate of change of a function.
Explanation of the slope of a tangent line and how it relates to the rate of change.
An introduction to instantaneous rate of change and how it is calculated using derivatives.
2. Illustrative Example:
Present an example of a real-world scenario involving velocity, which is the derivative of
position. For example:
o The position of an object is given by the equation s ( t )=3 t 3 −5t 2 +2 t+1 where t is time.
Use the derivative to determine the velocity of the object at t=4.
Solution:
o Find the derivative of the position function s(t ).
' 2
s ( t )=9 t −10 t +2
o Substitute t=4 into the derivative to find the velocity at that time.
' 2
s ( t )=9 ( 4 ) −10 ( 4 )+ 2=144−40+ 2=106
o Therefore, the velocity at t=4 is 106 units per time unit.
3. Real-World Applications:
Provide examples of how derivatives can be applied to real-world scenarios, such as:
o Business: How derivatives help find the rate of change of profits or costs.
o Physics: How velocity and acceleration are calculated from position functions.
o Economics: How derivatives can be used to understand the rate of change of supply
and demand curves.
4. Exercises:
Include three exercises that help the audience practice the concept of derivatives in real-world
scenarios:
2
Exercise 1: The position of a car is given by s ( t )=5 t +3 t+ 1. Find the velocity of the car at
t=2.
Exercise 2: The demand function for a product is given by D ( p )=100−2 p , where p is the
price. Find the rate of change of demand with respect to the price at p=25.
Exercise 3: The population of a town is modeled by the function P ( t ) =1000 e0.02 t , where t is
time in years. Find the rate of change of the population at t=10.
5. Visual Elements:
Include diagrams such as graphs of position, velocity, and acceleration functions.
Use illustrations to show the concept of a tangent line to a curve and how the slope of this
line represents the derivative.
1
Design the infographic to include clear labels, color coding for different functions (e.g.,
position, velocity), and visual cues for students to easily identify key concepts.
Performance Task
Basic Calculus Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Standards and Criteria
Table 1. Performance Task Rubric: Applying Derivatives to Real-World Situations
Criteria Exceeds Meets Needs Below
expectations expectations improvement Expectations
(4) (1)
(3) (2)
The infographic is The infographic is The infographic is The infographic
visually engaging, visually appealing somewhat visually lacks visual
using a variety of with some use of appealing but appeal, is poorly
Creativity and colors, diagrams, colors and lacks organization organized, or does
and creative diagrams. Design or creativity in not engage the
Visual Appeal
design elements. It is clear but could design. reader.
is well-organized use more
and easy to creativity.
navigate.
Concepts are Some concepts Concepts are
explained very Concepts are are unclear or not unclear or
clearly with step- mostly clear but fully explained, confusing, making
Organization of by-step may require some making it difficult it difficult for
instructions, easy- additional for students to students to follow.
Data
to-understand explanation or are understand.
language, and not as thoroughly
logical explained.
progression.
All mathematical
Mathematical Many errors in
operations are Several errors in
operations are mathematical
performed mathematical
Mathematical mostly correct but calculations,
correctly, and the calculations or
may contain minor significantly
Accuracy examples and steps, affecting the
errors or missteps impacting the
exercises are clarity of the
in one or two correctness of the
accurately solved solution.
exercises. solution.
with no errors.
The examples and
Examples and Examples and Examples and
exercises are
exercises are exercises are exercises lack
clearly connected
Relevance and mostly relevant to somewhat relevant relevance to real-
to real-world
Real-World real-world but fail to fully world situations
situations and
situations but connect the and do not
Application demonstrate the
could benefit from derivative demonstrate
practical
more practical concepts to real- practical
application of
context. world applications. application.
derivatives.
Exercises are
Exercises are
engaging, well- Exercises are
useful but may not Exercises are
Engagement and designed, and simple and do not
be challenging unclear, too easy,
appropriately challenge students
Exercises enough or lack or irrelevant to the
challenge students to engage deeply
clarity in their learning goals.
to apply the with the material.
instructions.
concepts learned.
2
3
4
5