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Illustrative Mathematics
Find the Change
This exercise is an opportunity for algebra learners to understand the connection between the slope of a line and points found on the line. Use similar triangles to explain why slope m is the same between any two points. Discuss with the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Distance across the channel
Here you will find a model of a linear relationship between two quantities, the water depth of a channel and the distance across the channel at water level. The cross section of the channel is the shape of an isosceles trapezoid. The...
Illustrative Mathematics
DVD Profits, Variation 1
The idea in the resource is to understand the connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations. To stay within the context of the standard, skip the part of the resource that solves with unit rates. Instead,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Slopes and Circles
An upper-level treatment of what is often presented as a basic concept (the right angle of an inscribed circle on the diameter), this activity really elevates the mathematical thought of the learner! Expected to develop formulas...
Illustrative Mathematics
The Intersection of Two Lines
Here is an introduction to solving simultaneous linear equations. Start by drawing a line through two points. Create a second line which goes through the intersecting point. Background knowledge of how to find the equation of a line and...
Teach Engineering
Spring Away!
The last segment of the nine-part unit makes a connection between springs and linear equations. Groups hang weights from the spring and measure its length. Then, using the data collected, they calculate the slope to find the k-value...
5280 Math
Triangle Area Patterns
Combine algebraic and geometric strategies to find solutions. The task asks learners to find the coordinates of a third vertex of a triangle to create a triangle with a specific area. The project is a set of seven problems that...
Illustrative Mathematics
Peaches and Plums
According to the resource graph, which costs more: peaches or plums? Algebra learners compare two proportional relationships and then throw in a banana. Leaving out the scale helps students become intuitive about graphing.
Education Development Center
Finding Parallelogram Vertices
Four is the perfect number—if you're talking about parallelograms. Scholars determine a possible fourth vertex of a parallelogram in the coordinate plane given the coordinates of three vertices. They read a conversation...
PBL Pathways
College Costs
Predict the year that college costs will double in your state using linear modeling. The first part of this two-part project based learning activity asks young mathematicians to use data from the College Board. They graph the data,...
Curated OER
Do Two Points Always Determine a Linear Function II?
Learners analyze the difference between the slope intercept and standard forms of a line in this task. Given two general points using letters they explore linear functions and linear equations.
Illustrative Mathematics
Proportional Relationships, Lines, and Linear Equations
The resource is a good introduction to what makes a proportional relationship between two lines. Discuss the similarities of both lines and the possibility of intersection. Use this opportunity to list other acceptable forms of each...
5280 Math
More or Less the Same
Tell the story of the math. Given a graph of a linear system, learners write a story that models the graph before crafting the corresponding functions. Graphs intersect at an estimated point, allowing for different variations in the...
101 Questions
25 Billion Apps
Learn to use mathematics to your advantage! Using linear modeling, scholars predict the date and time the Apple App Store reaches 25 billion downloads. Considering the prize for the 25 billionth download was a $10,000 gift card, modeling...
PBL Pathways
Do Homework?
To complete homework or not to complete homework ... that is the question. Decide whether it makes a difference on finals by doing homework. Individuals create a scatter plot and find a line of best fit for data on the percent of...
Curated OER
Linear and Quadratic System
Learners find the common point of a linear and quadratic system given a graph of the system. Then they find a specific point located only on the parabola.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Bank Shot
Bank on geometry to line up the shot. The resource asks the class to determine the location to bank a cue ball in a game of billiards. Using their knowledge, class members determine where to hit the bumper to make a shot and discuss...
Illustrative Mathematics
Downhill
A car traveling down a steep hill is the model for this resource. The confusion comes when the elevation, E, is given in terms of distance, d. The distance, d, is the horizontal distance from E. Therefore, the equation, E = 7500 – 250d,...
PBL Pathways
College Costs 2
What is the financial benefit for attending a community college for the first two years before transferring to a four-year college? The second part of the educational lesson asks young scholars to explore this question through data...
National Park Service
Nutcracker Fantasy
The Clark's nutcracker bird hides seeds in 25,000 different sites every year to save for winter. Lesson demonstrates how difficult it would be to find these seeds months later when they need them for food. In the first of five lesson,...
Curated OER
Unit Squares and Triangles
This is an interesting geometry problem. Given the figure, find the area of a triangle that is created by the intersecting lines. The solution requires one to use what he/she knows about coordinate geometry, as well as triangle...
101 Questions
Nana's Lemonade
Consistency is the key. One lemon wedge per glass of water makes a nice glass of lemonade. Young scholars must identify the number of lemon wedges they need to make the same lemonade in a big gulp cup. They develop their own...
Illustrative Mathematics
Doctor's Appointment
Geometric volume calculations are brought into the real world in a quick set of application problems. Learners are asked to help a patient figure out how to drink a prescribed amount of water both at work and at home. This activity...
Illustrative Mathematics
Ice Cream Cone
Every pupil with a sweet tooth will be clamoring for this lab and analysis, particularly when they're allowed to eat the results! Volume and surface area formulas for cones are developed from models, and then extended to the printing of...