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Using
the graphing calculator (or any graphing utility) is always a positive
learning experience for students. The study of lines and slopes with
a graphing calculator can
be an investigative activity, a demonstration for a lesson, or a
reinforcement activity. Asking open-ended
questions which require a written explanation will also reinforce students'
writing skills.
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This
worksheet offers ideas on how to utilize the graphing calculator
in an investigative manner regarding lines and slopes.
The TI-83+/84+
graphing calculator was used here,
but ANY graphing utility would work just as well.
A .pdf copy of the
worksheet is available for use in your classroom.
Worksheet to
Investigate Slope.pdf
(copied with permission from
MathBits.com) |
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Possible Investigative Worksheet
(with comments and answers)
1.
Graph these lines which have positive slope.
(Supply a list of equations, or show
the graphic at the right. Encourage
students to graph additional lines if they wish.) |
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Queries:
Ask students to respond to the following questions.
What do you notice about lines with positive slopes?
What
happens to the lines as these positive slopes increase? |
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2.
Graph these lines that have negative slopes.
(Caution
students to use the "negative" key and not the
"subtraction" key when entering the negative slopes.) |
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Queries:
Ask students to respond to the following questions.
What do you notice about lines with negative slopes?
What
happens to the lines as these negative slopes decrease? |
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3.
Graph these lines that have zero slopes.
(Include both lines
with the zero slope indicated and those without, so that students
can recognize the relationship.) |
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Queries:
Ask students to respond to the following questions.
What do you notice about lines with a zero slope?
How
are all of these lines related to one another? |
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| 4.
Graph these lines that have the same slopes. |
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Queries:
Ask students to respond to the following questions.
What do you notice about lines with the same slope?
State a rule based on your
observations about lines having the same slopes. |
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These
are only a few of the possible inquiries that can be made with the
graphing calculator. This activity could also be done as a
class activity with students working in groups (or alone). It
could also be a teacher led demonstration. The visual and
immediate nature of the graphing calculator allows students to form
lasting impressions of concepts while experimenting with new ideas.
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