Introduction
In everyday life, many quantities depend on one or more changing variables. For example:
(a) Plant growth depends on sunlight and rainfall
(b) Speed depends on distance travelled and time taken
(c) Voltage depends on current and resistance
(d) Test marks depend on attitude, listening in lectures and completing assignments (among many other variables!!)
You must be wondering what the graph above and that list have to do with each other. The answer is...NOTHING!
I'm just kidding, they both have to do with functions, but have nothing to do with each other? Make sense? Well if you are confused, that's alright. This webquest will introduce you to all things functions and you won't be confused anymore ;)
Task
Your goal (we always have a goal!) is to THOROUGHLY read the instructions on the "Process" tab and complete all of the tasks assigned for this webquest. Answer all of the questions NEATLY on your own sheet of paper and turn the COMPLETED sheet in to me (yes me the best math teacher in the whole wide world!) by the end your class today. Don't worry...I know that you can do this! How do I know you ma wonder... Because I know what you are capable of doing, and THIS...you can do
Process
Part I
You will be exploring the following sites and using the sites to complete the Part I Handout. Answer the following questions as you explore each site.
Equation of a Line: Slope-Intercept Form. Use the virtual manipulative to see what happens to the line as you change slope and y-intercept.
1. What is slope-intercept form?
2. What does m represent?
3. What does b represent?
Use the "you control" button to manipulate slope and y-intercept.
4. Describe what happens to the line as you increase and decrease slope.
5. Describe what happens to the line as change y-intercept.