Algebraic

Reasoning

Unit 2: Linear
Functions
TEKS:

AR.2C - determine the function that models a given table of related values using finite differences and its restricted
domain and range

AR.2D - determine a function that models real-world data and mathematical contexts using finite differences such
as the age of a tree and its circumference, figurative numbers, average velocity, and average acceleration.

AR.3A - compare and contrast the key attributes, including domain, range, maxima, minima, and intercepts, of a
set of functions such as a set comprised of a linear, a quadratic, and an exponential function or a set comprised of
an absolute value, a quadratic, and a square root function tabularly, graphically, and symbolically

AR.6A - estimate a reasonable input value that results in a given output value for a given function, including
quadratic, rational, and exponential functions

AR.6B - solve equations arising from questions asked about functions that model real-world applications, including
linear and quadratic functions, tabularly, graphically, and symbolically

AR.7A – represent domain and range of a function using interval notation, inequalities, and set (builder) notation

AR.7B – compare and contrast between the mathematical and reasonable domain and range of functions modeling
real-world situations, including linear, quadratic, exponential, and rational functions
AR.7C – determine the accuracy of a prediction from a function that models a set of data compared to the actual
data using comparisons between average rates of change and finite differences such as gathering data from an
emptying tank and comparing the average rate of change of the volume or the second differences in the volume to
key attributes of the given model

AR.7D – determine an appropriate function model, including linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, for a set
of data arising from real-world situations using finite differences and average rates of change

AR.7E – determine if a given linear function is a reasonable model for a set of data arising from a real-world
situation.
Linear Functions

Domain:___________________ (inequality) Range:____________________ (inequality)

___________________ (interval) ____________________ (interval)

___________________ (set) ____________________ (set)

Intercepts are points on the graph where the line crosses the x-axis and y-axis.

The y-intercept is where the line crosses the y-axis.

The coordinates for all y-intercepts are (0, y).

The x-intercept is where the line crosses the x-axis. These are also called zeroes.

The coordinates for all x-intercepts are (x, 0).

RATE OF CHANGE (SLOPE)

Slope is a constant rate of change that measures the ____________________ of a line.

Slope is the rate of ______________________ change to _______________________

change.
Equation:

Slope on a graph is the ratio: ─────────

Rate of Change (Slope) from a table.
The slope of a line can also be calculated by finding the difference between the
coordinates of points on the line. It is the ratio of the difference of y-coordinates over the
difference of x-coordinates. The ratio between any two coordinates are the same.
∆x x y ∆y -2 0 0 1 2 2 4 3

∆ ∆ yx= ∆x < <<

x -3 0 6 15 y 4 2 -2 -8
∆y
xy
-2 -9
-1 -4
00
16
2 11

>>>
∆ ∆ yx= Determine if the table represents a linear function, if so, find the slope.
x y x y x y -1 -7 -2 34 -5 -1 0 -5 2 6 0 2 3 1 4 -8 5 5 5 5 5 -15 10 8
Slope: Slope: Slope:
Average Rate of Change:
Not all tables will increase or decrease at a constant rate of change. We can still find the
rate of change by looking at the average rate of change. To find average, you add all the
numbers and divide by the total numbers. If you add up 5 different amounts and divide
by 5, you have found the average.
Ex.

>
>
>
>
>
>
Slope from two points

slope rise run

= = Δy Δx If given two points on the line, ( x 1 ,y 1 ) and ( x 2 ,y 2 ) , you can calculate

the slope by finding the difference in the y-coordinates over the difference in
x-coordinates.

slope = y x 2 2 --

y 1x 1

= Δy Δx
A line contains the points (5, 9) and (8, 12). Find the rate of change (slope) of the line.

y-y x-x = Δy Δx or
x y
( ,
) -( x , y
)

∆ x ,∆
y
EX. Find the slope of the line containing EX. Find the slope of the line containing the
points (-6, 2) and (-3, -4). the points (0, 13) and (-14, 5).
EX. Find the slope of the line containing EX. Find the slope of the line containing the
points (-1, 7) and (-4, 7). the points (5, -7) and (5, 10)
Slope-Intercept Equation
Output = Rate of Change • Input + Beginning Value
y m x b dependent slope independent y-intercept
variable variable
y = mx + b
Ex. Ex.
Rate of change (slope): Rate of change (slope):
y-intercept (b): y-intercept (b):
 Equation: Equation:
xy
xy
-2 9
-2 -1
-1 4
-1 2
0 -1
05
1 -6
18
2 -11
2 11
POINT-SLOPE EQUATION
You can write a slope-intercept equation when given a slope and a point that is not the
y- intercept. The Point-Slope Form equation, y – y1 = m(x – x1), is used to do this.
Use the point-slope equation to write a slope-intercept equation.
1. Slope of -3 and goes through the point (-4, 8).
Slope-Intercept Form
- 2and goes through the point (3, -6)
2. Slope of 3
Slope-Intercept Form
9 and y-intercept of -6
3. slope of 5
Slope-Intercept Form
y – y1 = m(x – x1) → y = mx + b
xxmyy - = ( - ) 1) Substitute the given slope, m, and the given
1 1

point, (x, y) into the

point-slope equation.
y-coordinate of
given point
slope
x-coordinate of
given point
Writing the Equation of a Line using Point-Slope form when given two points.

- Calculate the slope first to use for m. - Choose one

of the ordered pairs to use for x1 and y1.

1 -y-x
2
Slope: m = y x 2 1
Slope-Intercept Form: y = mx + b
 Point-Slope Form: y – y1 = m(x – x1) Standard Form: Ax + By = C

Write the indicated equation of the line passing through the given points.

1. (1, 4) and (3, 14): Slope-Intercept equation.

m
=

x1 =

y1 =

2. (-2, 5) and (4, 8): Slope-Intercept equation.

m
=

x1 =

y1 =
Equations from Tables, Graphs & Verbal Descriptions
For the linear function, there are two ways to write the equation of a line:
Slope-Intercept form: y = mx +b and Standard form: Ax + By = C
If there is no apparent y-intercept, use the point-slope equation to write a
slope-intercept equation.
⎛ ∆ y ⎞
When given a table. 1. Use the table to find the slope │ ⎝ ∆ x │ ⎠ . 2. Pick a point
from the table and write an equation in Point Slope Form, then solve for y to get in
Slope Intercept Form.
x y 3 12 4 14 5 16 6 18 7 20
Slope Intercept Form:
When given a graph:
 rise
1. From the graph find the slope ⎛ │ ⎝ run

⎞ │ ⎠ . 2. Pick a point from the graph and write an equation in Point Slope Form, then
solve for y to get in Slope Intercept Form.
Slope Intercept Form:
ym=x--

y x = Point-Slope Form:
From a Verbal Description.

Kaylee loads crates at a loading dock. She is paid by the crate in addition to a flat, daily rate.
One day she loads 20 crates and makes $90. Another day she loads 27 crates and makes
$104. Write a point-slope equation, then write the slope-intercept equation. What is her daily
rate and how much does she get for each crate loaded?

m=b=

Slope Intercept Form:

Elena works in a department store where she earns $400 per week plus a commission of
15% of her total sales. If T represents the total amount she earns each week and s represents
her total sales. Write the equation that will give the total amount of her weekly earnings.

m=b=

Slope Intercept Form:

Applications of Linear
Functions

1. Vehicle Ownership Problem The amount it costs to drive a car each month is a linear function of
how far you drive it. One month it cost $425 to drive 500 kilometers, and the next month it cost $700
to drive 1600 kilometers.

a) Write the linear function which describes cost as a function of distance.

b) Draw the graph of this function on an appropriate domain

(don’t forget to scale and label the axes).

c) What would your monthly cost be if you drove 600 km?

900 kilometers? 1700 kilometers?

d) If you have budgeted $575 for you car, what is the maximum

number of kilometers you can drive?

e) What is the slope of this function? What does it mean?

f) What is the y-intercept? What does it mean? Why is it greater than zero?
2. “Bridging the Gap” Problem When the weather gets hot, bridges expand. To prevent the bridges
from falling, engineers place expansion joints (small gaps in the roadway) between one section and
the next. This gives the bridge room to expand. The gap width is a linear function of temperature.
When the temperature is 21oC, the gap is 1.6 centimeters, and when the temperature is 24oC, the
gap is 1.4 cm.

a) Write the linear function which describes maximum speed as a function of steepness.

b) Draw the graph of this function on an appropriate domain

(don’t forget to scale and label the axes).

c) How wide would the gap be at 15oC? At 27oC?

d) If the gap is completely closed, what is the temperature? What is this point called?
e) Would the temperature ever be high enough for the gap to close completely? Why or why not?