Students will learn what standard form looks like, and see that it has an advantage over the other forms. Namely, standard form can describe vertical lines. Next, students will learn how to derive formulas for the \(x\)-intercept, \(y\)-intercept, and slope, for non-vertical lines in standard form. We can use any two of these three formulas to graph a line in standard form. Then students will learn how to convert non-vertical lines between standard form and slope-intercept form. Converting to slope-intercept form is another way to find the \(y\)-intercept. For a lesson, watch both this and this.
Next, give your students these challenges:
- Five-to by NRICH
- Alphabet Blocks by NRICH
- The Third Dimension by NRICH
- 2010 AMC 8, Problem 8
- 2013 AMC 8, Problem 20
Conclude by leading this investigation:
Historic Maps
by MathPickle