Activity Overview
Students learn that the slope is ratio of change in y to the change in x. They find the slope of a line using the slope formula, and examine the characteristics of lines with positive, zero, negative, or non-defined slope.
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 3-10 to 3-13 from the attached PDF file for your class
During the Activity
Distribute the pages to the class.
Follow the Activity procedures:
Determine if any set of three coordinates is collinear
Determine the correct method of calculating the slope of a line using the coordinates of two endpoints
Calculate the slope between two points using the slope formula
Link two calculators and use a grid to determine the slope of the line segments as quickly as possible
Use the calculator to find the slope of a line using the coordinates of two points
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