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Lesson plan In this lesson, students learn what linear (two-variable) inequalities are, how to pair them, how to graph the pairs using a computer, how to hand-sketch them, and how to locate a point in the solution space. On This PageLesson plan information|
School level | | Curriculum areas | | Class time | | Software required | | • | Microsoft Math | | • | Microsoft Office Excel |
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Teacher guideGoals| • | Students will use technology tools to enhance mathematical learning. |
Objectives| • | Students will graph linear inequalities. | | • | Students will hand sketch the solution set of a system of linear inequalities. | | • | Students will locate a point in the solution space. | | • | Students will identify parallel, perpendicular and horizontal. |
Lesson procedureIntroduction: find your partner
Solving linear (two-variable) inequalities is an essential part of algebra. In this activity you will learn to pair linear inequalities, graph a pair of linear inequalities using the computer, hand-sketch the inequalities, and locate a point in the solution set.
[Distribute the inequality cards you cut out and scrambled to the class.]
Each of you is holding a card with a related inequality on it. Read the inequality and the relationship (parallel or perpendicular) on the card you have been given, for example: y < 2x + 1, Perpendicular. Using the clue on the card, find your partner in the class. Your partner will be the student who has the card with the related inequality. For example, the related inequality for
 y < 2x + 1 Perpendicular
is
y > -.5 x +1 Perpendicular
The two students who have these two cards are partners.
Once you have found your partner, you will work with that partner to graph both inequalities.
Main activitySoftware: Microsoft Math
Microsoft Office Excel
What to do: Step 1: Graph and sketch related inequalities1. | Open the Student Handout (.doc, 51 KB). With your partner, graph both inequalities, the one you were given and the one your partner has, in Microsoft Math.
For help, read How to Graph an Inequality in Microsoft Math (.doc, 99 KB). | 2. | Once you have graphed the two inequalities, hand sketch a graph of your two inequalities on a sheet of graph paper. For graph paper, print this Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet (.xls, 76 KB). | 3. | On your hand-sketched graph, shade the set of points that satisfies both inequalities.
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Pick a point inside the shaded area and test to see if it satisfies both inequalities.
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Step 2: Pair other inequalities1. | Now that you have successfully paired one set of related inequalities by finding your partner, you are ready to pair other related inequalities. Pair the inequalities listed in Step 2 of the Student Handout. |
Step 3: Graph all the pairs of related inequalities1. | Using Microsoft Math, graph all the pairs of related inequalities you found listed in Step 2 on the Student Handout. | 2. | Hand-sketch each pair of related inequalities. | 3. | Identify a point in the solution of the system of inequalities. |
Conclusion| • | Observe students as they complete each step of the activities. | | • | Evaluate all graphs students create and their answers work on Step 2 the student handout. |
Materials needed| • | Before class, print and cut out the Inequality cards (.doc, 67 KB). Make sure there is one card for each student. Scramble the cards. | | • | Save the document How to Graph an Inequality in Microsoft Math (.doc, 99 KB) to your classroom computer and place it in a clearly marked folder so students can access it easily. To open this file, you might need to get Microsoft Office File Viewers. Adjust the directions as needed for your lesson.. | | • | Save the document Student Handout (.doc, 51 KB) to your classroom computer and place it in a clearly marked folder so students can access it easily. To open this file, you might need to get Microsoft Office File Viewers. Adjust the directions as needed for your lesson.
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Graph paper. For graph paper, you can print this Excel spredsheet (.xls, 76 KB).
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