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Classroom Resource

Hit the Runway

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

7, 8

Overview

In this Desmos activity, students practice finding equations of lines in order to hit the runway. Students will practice writing equations of lines, introducing the concepts of slope-intercept lines. This activity should be used to help teach a lesson on slope-intercept. This Desmos activity offers sample student responses and a teacher guide.

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7 - Grade 7 Accelerated

MA19.7A.6

Interpret $y = mx + b$ as defining a linear equation whose graph is a line with $m$ as the slope and $b$ as the y-intercept.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.8.9

Vocabulary

  • Slope
  • Rate of change
  • Initial Value
  • Y-intercept

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to graph points on a coordinate plane.
  • Where to graph the initial value/y-intercept.
  • Understand how/why triangles are similar.
  • how to interpret y=mx equations.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create a graph of linear equations in the form y = mx + b and recognize m as the slope and b as the y-intercept.
  • point out similar triangles formed between pairs of points and know that they have the same slope between any pairs of those points.
  • Show that lines may share the same slope but can have different y-intercepts.
  • Interpret a rate of change as the slope and the initial value as the y-intercept.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Slope is a graphic representation of the rate of change in linear relationships and the y-intercept is a graphic representation of an initial value in a linear relationship.
  • When given an equation in the form y = mx + b it generally symbolizes that there will be lines with varying y-intercepts. even when the slope is the same.
  • Use of the visual of right triangles created between points on a line to explain why the slope is a constant rate of change.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 8

MA19.8.9

Interpret y = mx + b as defining a linear equation whose graph is a line with m as the slope and b as the y-intercept.

Unpacked Content

UP:MA19.8.9

Vocabulary

  • Slope
  • Rate of change
  • Initial Value
  • Y-intercept

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to graph points on a coordinate plane.
  • Where to graph the initial value/y-intercept.
  • Understand how/why triangles are similar.
  • how to interpret y=mx equations.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create a graph of linear equations in the form y = mx + b and recognize m as the slope and b as the y-intercept.
  • point out similar triangles formed between pairs of points and know that they have the same slope between any pairs of those points.
  • Show that lines may share the same slope but can have different y-intercepts.
  • Interpret a rate of change as the slope and the initial value as the y-intercept.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Slope is a graphic representation of the rate of change in linear relationships and the y-intercept is a graphic representation of an initial value in a linear relationship.
  • When given an equation in the form y = mx + b it generally symbolizes that there will be lines with varying y-intercepts. even when the slope is the same.
  • Use of the visual of right triangles created between points on a line to explain why the slope is a constant rate of change.
Link to Resource
https://teacher.desmos.com/activitybuilder/custom/56274598fc26d37312cf969b

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

Desmos
Accessibility

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
License

License Type

Custom

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.desmos.com/terms

Comments or Notes

Desmos's mission is to help every student learn math and love learning math. Teachers can explore and enjoy Desmos collections of free digital math activities that include:

  • Meaningful feedback by showing students what their answers mean, then give them the opportunity to improve their thinking and revise their work.
  • Collaboration by using devices to connect students, not to isolate them. Students see their classmates' thinking. They ask each other questions and create challenges for each other.
  • Invites students to solve challenging problems using the tools they already have.

If the teacher does not have an account, he/she will need to create a FREE account. (More information on how Desmos works can be found at Getting Started.)

Once the teacher has selected an activity to run, he/she will need to click on the "Create Class Code" button. This will generate a unique class code and a link to view the dashboard. (More information can be found at Creating a Class Code.) Every new activity will need a new class code in order to start a session. Students cannot start the activity until they have the class code - so sessions can be started days, hours, or mere minutes before you plan to run the activity. When the teacher is ready to have students start, have the students go to student.desmos.com and enter the class code. Although it is not required, Desmos strongly encourages students to sign in with their Desmos Student Account. Signing in allows students to resume and view their past activity work. 

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