Teaching Algebra with Manipulatives

NAME ______________________________________________ DATE ____________ PERIOD ____
Algebra Activity Recording Sheet
(Use with the Lesson 10-7 Follow-Up Activity on page 573 in the Student Edition.)
Investigating Rates of Change
Materials:
grid paper
Analyze the Data
1. Describe the graph you made of the Richter scale data.
2. Is the rate of change between any two points the same?
Make a Conjecture
3. Can the data be represented by a linear equation? Why or why not?
4. Describe the pattern shown in the rates of change in Column 3.
Extend the Investigation
5. Use a graphing calculator or graphing software to find a regression
equation for the Richter scale data. (Hint: If you are using the TI-83
Plus, use ExpReg.)
6. Graph the following set of data that shows the amount of energy
released for each Richter scale value. Describe the graph. Fill in the
third column and describe the rates of change. Find a regression
equation for this set of data. If necessary, write your answers on the
back of this sheet.
Richter Number (x) Energy Released (y) Rate of Change (slope)
1 0.00017 metric ton
2 0.006 metric ton
3 0.179 metric ton
4 5 metric tons
5 179 metric tons
6 5643 metric tons
7 179,100 metric tons
Source: The New York Public Library Science Desk Reference
© Glencoe/McGraw-Hill 182 Teaching Algebra with Manipulatives