Activity Overview
Students learn to associate the slope of a straight line with a constant rate of change. They also learn to calculate the rate of change from data points on a line, using the correct units. Students also learn to read from a linear graph: the rate of change, the scale of the axes, and the correct units.
Before the Activity
Install Topics in Algebra 1 (Chapters 1-4) App on the calculator using one of these two methods:
TI Connect™, a TI Connectivity Cable, and the Unit-to-Unit Link Cable
TI-Navigator™ "send to class" feature
See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
Print pages 3-18 to 3-23 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Determine what type of graphs have non-constant rate of change
Simulate a trip in the balloon in the activity Balloon Speed and record time and position data
Calculate the rate of change of each trip
Simulate a dive in the submarine in the activity Dive and record time and position data
Calculate the rate of change of each trip
In the Car Trip Word Problem, find the rate at which the car travels for each leg of the trip
Given a set of coordinates, find the rate of change using ratio formula change in y to change in x
Use the calculator to convert find rate of change for data given in different units
Solve additional problems
After the Activity
Students will complete the Student Worksheet and analyze the results.
Review student results:
As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
Re-teach concepts as necessary