Strategy Focus
14 Make a Graph
Lesson
MATH FOCUS: Graphs of Linear Equations
Learn
Read the Problem Arthur bikes at a constant rate from his home to the mall. After
3 minutes, he has traveled 1.5 kilometers. After 4 minutes, he has
traveled 2 kilometers. After 8 minutes, he has traveled 4 kilometers.
How long will it take Arthur altogether to reach the mall if it is
5 kilometers away?
Reread Ask yourself questions as you read the problem again.
What is the problem about?
●
What kinds of information are given?
●
What do you need to find?
●
Mark
the Text
Search for Information Mark any information that you think will help you find an answer.
Record Write information about Arthur’s trip.
Arthur travels 1.5 kilometers in
Arthur travels 2 kilometers in
The mall is
minutes.
minutes.
kilometers away.
© Triumph Learning. OT115eIW14
You can use this information to figure out how long it will take Arthur to
reach the mall.
120 Unit 4 Using Graphs
Decide What to Do
You know how far Arthur has traveled at three different times. You know
that the mall is 5 kilometers away.
Ask How can I find how long it takes Arthur to bike 5 kilometers?
I can use the strategy Make a Graph to show the distance Arthur travels
over time.
●
I can use the graph to find how long it will take him to bike
5 kilometers.
●
Use Your Ideas
Step 1
Make a table showing time and distance.
Arthur’s Location
Time (minutes)
Distance (kilometers)
0
0
3
4
8
Step 3
Step 4
Use the table to make a graph. Label
the horizontal axis and the
vertical axis. Give the graph a title.
Plot the points from the table on
the graph. Then draw a line
through the points.
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (minutes)
Since Arthur
travels at a
constant rate,
the graph is a
straight line.
Find how long it will take Arthur to bike 5 kilometers.
The point (
, 5) is on the line.
So it will take Arthur
Review Your Work
© Triumph Learning. OT115eIW14
Arthur’s Location
Distance
(kilometers)
Step 2
minutes altogether to bike to the mall.
Check that all of your points are on the same line.
Summarize Why is labeling the horizontal and vertical axes helpful?
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