MSA Math Reflections 1

1. How the dependent variable in a linear relationship changes depends on how the independent variable changes. For example, if in the bike-athon, Mr. Murphy's class generated $200.00 to give to charity. Each week they donate $20.00 to the local Children's hospital. The independent variable is weeks and the dependent variable is the money left in the account. As the weeks increase by one, $20 is deducted from the class account. Another example of this is Joey works for his neighbor. For every hour that he works, he gets paid $10.75. The independent variable is hours while the dependent variable is how much Joey gets paid. As the hours increase by one, Joey earns $10.75 more.

2. The pattern of change in a linear relationship shows up as:

Graph, A straight line going either up or down.

Table, Increases or decreases with the same rate as time moves on.

Equation, A steady rate, if the same amount is added or taken away as time moves on.