Rate of Change and Slope!

Introduction

 

For my wonderful students who have the ability to conquer any task given to them:

Have you ever really wandered what "slope" is? Have you ever built a skateboard ramp before?  How steep do you really need to make those steps?  Have you ever rode your bike down (or up) a hill?  How steep can the hill be before you have to stop and walk your bike the rest of the way up the hill.

All of these are questions that you can analyze after discovering all about SLOPE!

RATE OF CHANGE is a ratio that describes how one quantity changes with respect to another.  Slope can be used to describe rate of change.  The slope of a line is the ratio of the vertical change in the line to the horizontal change in the line.  The slope can be expressed in several ways. 

Task

By the end of this webquest you will:

  • 1.  Know and be able to explain what SLOPE and RATE OF CHANGE mean.
  • 2.  Know how to find the slope or rate of change of a line from a graph.
  • 3.  Be able to identify positive, negative, zero, and undefined slope.

Process

Part 1

  1. At the top of your own sheet of notebook paper, write "Webquest Vocabulary - Understanding Slope and Rate of Change. Be sure to put your name on your paper.
  2. On your notebook paper, write the following vocabulary terms, leaving space between each word that will be defined as you complete the webquest:

               Words:  Rate of Change; Slope; Positive Slope; Negative Slope; Zero Slope; Undefined Slope

*Ensure that I can read your information, or I can not give you credit for it.

Part 2

  1. You have the world wide web at the palm of your hand. So MANY resourse to use.
  2. Look up the vocabulary terms from Part 1.
  3. Write these definitions (in your own words) on your notebook paper.

Part 3

  1. Go to the one of the following website to watch a video detailing slope and rate of change:

          *(Remember that it might take your chrome-books a few minutes to load, please be patient)*

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/linear-equations-and-inequalitie/slope-and-intercepts/v/slope-and-rate-of-change

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/linear-equations-and-inequalitie/slope-and-intercepts/v/slope-of-a-line

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/linear-equations-and-inequalitie/slope-and-intercepts/v/graphical-slope-of-a-line

Khan Academy is full of great videos.

*Feel free to take notes as you view the video. Rest assure...you will need to know this information.

 

Part 4

Complete the worksheet titled Couting for Slope.

 

Part 5

Turn in your vocabulary words and your worksheet into the basket when you have completed them for credit.

*You may turn these items in on Wednesday if you were unable to finish today.

Evaluation

The vocabulary words will be worth 3 points and the Counting for Slope worksheet will be worth another 3 points.  Points will be awarded based on completion.

*Turn your papers in the the green turn in basket!!!

Conclusion

 

In this lesson you have learned how to determine a rate of change.  You also have learned how to determine the slope of a line by analyzing a graph.  After completing the culminating activity, you have now increased your knowledge depth of the topics.

Congrats on completing your Webquest! I knew you could do it!