Coefficient � A number that is multi-
plied by a variable in an equati on or
expression. In a li near equation of
the form y = mx + b, the coefficient,
m of x is the sl ope of the graph of the
li ne in the equation y = 3x + 5, the
coefficient of x is 3.
Constant Term � A number in an
equation that is not multiplied by a
variable� an amount added to or
subtracted from the terms involving
variables
Coordinate Pair � A pair of numbers of the form (x,y) that gives the loca-
tion of a point in the coordinate pl ane. The x term is the distance left or ri ght from the origin (0,0), the y
term is the di stance up or down from the origin. Function � A relationship usually between two variables. Li near Relationship -A relationship I
which there is a constant rate of
change between two variabl es. Origin � The point where the x� and y-axes intersect on a coordinate
graph. Slope � The number that relates the steepness of a line. Sometimes this ratio is referred to as the rise over the run .
Moving Straight Ahead
Glossary
Connected Mathematics
Project
Everett Public Schools
Mathematics Program
Proposed Time Frame:
Approximately 6 weeks
MOVING STRAIGHT
AHEAD
Algebra
Linear Relationships
Unit Goals
Develop understanding of
variables and patterns Recognize linear relati onships Solve a linear relati onship in the form y = mx + b Write a linear equation given the slope and y-
intercept
Web Resources
www.illuminations.nctm.org
Learning about rate of
change in linear functions
Investigating Linear Relationships
Tips for Helping at Home
Good questions and good listening w ill
help children make se nse of mathemat-
ics an d build self-confidence. A good
question opens up a problem and su p-
ports different ways of thinking about it.
Here are some questions you might try,
notice that none of them can be an-
swered with a simple �yes � or �no�.
Getting Started
What do you need to find ou t?
What do you need to know?
What terms do you understan d or
not understand?
While Working
How can you organize the inf orma-
tion?
Do you see any patterns or relation-
ships that w ill help solve this?
What would happen if�?
Reflecting about the Solution
How do you know your answer is
reasonable?
Has the question been answ ered?
Can you explain it another w ay?
At Home:
1 Talk with your child about
what�s going on in mathem atics
class.
2 Look for ways to link mathe-
matical learning to daily activi-
ties. Encourag e your child to
figu re out the amounts for halv-
ing a recipe, estimating gas
mileage, or figuring a restau-
rant tip.
3 Encourage y our child to sched-
ule a regular time for home-
work and provide a comfortable
place for their study , free from
distractions.
4 Monitor y our child�s home-
work on a regular basis by
looking at one problem or ask-
ing your child to briefly de-
scribe the focus of the home-
work. When your child asks
for help, work with them in-
stead of doing the problem for
them.
At School
1 Attend Open House, Back to
School Nigh t, and after school
ev ents.
2 Join the parent-teacher organi-
zation
Investigation 1 Predicting from Pa tterns
Many phenomena are constrained by li near
relationships
Collect data and use patterns in t ables and
graphs to make predicti ons
Connect points on a graph of data t hat were
collected or predicted
Investigation 2 Walking Rates
Recognize linear relationships from tables
Determine whether a set of data is l inear by
examining its graph
Recognize that a change in rate w ill change
the steepness of a li ne
Interpret the meaning of the coeffic ient of x
and the y-intercept of a graph of y = mx + b
Investi gation 3 Exploring Lines with a Graph-
ing Calculator (Optional)
Investigation 4 Solving Equations
To solve an equation of the form y = mx + b
symbolically
Connect various methods of finding i nforma-
tion in graphs and in tabl es and by solving
equations
Investigation 5 Finding the Sl ope of a Line
To develop a more formal understandi ng of
the concept of slope
To find the constant rate, or slope, from a
table
To find the slope of a line given tw o points on
a line
To relate the slope and the y-interc ept to
the equation of a line
Connected Mathematics Project
Mathematics in
Investigations
Phone: 425-385-4062
Fax: 425-385-4092
Email: mstine@everett.wednet.edu