Objectives
- Students will interpret the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function, whose graph is a straight line (CCSS).
- Students will be able to recognize equations as defining linear functions from those that are not linear (CCSS).
- Students will reason abstractly and quantitatively (CCSS Mathematical Practice).
- Students will look closely to discern a pattern or structure (CCSS Mathematical Practice).
Vocabulary
- equation
- tables
- graph
- coordinates
- function
- linear function
- slope or rate of change
About the Lesson
This lesson involves identifying linear functions.
As a result, students will:
- Plot points on the coordinate graph as they begin to determine features of a linear function.
- Plot new points for a visual check of the points "working" with the original plotted points.
- Examine and compare the final equations that appear for each example.
- See that equations in the form of y = mx + b represent linear functions and that other types of equations produce other functions or possibly non-functions.