Investigative Math Ideas
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Co-Ordinate Graphing

(courtesy of Renee DesCartes, 1596-1650, the Frenchman who linked geometry with algebra with this idea)
Interpret the following two graphs:
I.  Identify the graph that matches each of the following stories:
  1. I had just left home when I realized I had forgotten my books so I went back to pick them up.
  2. Things went fine until I had a flat tire.
  3. I started out calmly, but sped up when I realized I was going to be late.
Picture

Picture
II.  Below are three stories about walking from your locker to your class.

Two of the stories correspond to the graphs. Match the graphs and the stories. Write stories for the other two graphs. Draw a graph that matches the third story.
1.   I started to walk to class, but I realized I had forgotten my notebook, so I went back to my locker and then I went quickly at a constant rate to class.

2.   I was rushing to get to class when I realized I wasn’t really late, so I slowed down a bit.

3.   I started walking at a steady, slow, constant rate to my class, and then, realizing I was late,  so I ran the rest of the way at a steady, faster rate.


III.  Make a story for the following graphs.
Picture
IV.  Answer these questions about the graph on the right:
  1. How many total miles did the car travel?
  2. What was the average speed of the car for the trip?
  3. Describe the motion of the car between hours 5 and 12?
  4. What direction is represented by line CD?
  5. How many miles were traveled in the first two hours of the trip?
  6. Which line represents the fastest speed?
Picture

A Few Games

Coordinate Plane (from http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skill_builders/coordinate_plane_math_sixth_6th_grade.htm)
  1. Billy Bug 1 - Move the bug to help him feed. Quadrant I only 10x10 grid.
  2. Billy Bug 2 - Move the bug to help him feed. Uses all four quadrants, four 5x5 grids.
  3. Catch the Fly - Use the keyboard to enter the x and y values of an ordered pair to help the fly catch a bug. No score is kept, each question is essentially a one question game.
  4. Coordinate Geometry - Match descriptions with a point.
  5. General Coordinates Game - Investigate the Cartesian coordinate system through identifying the coordinates of points, or requesting that a particular point be plotted.
  6. Graphing Equations and Inequalities Unit Quiz - Check your understanding with this eight question quiz.
  7. Graphing Ordered Pairs - Lesson with interactive practice on graphing and locating ordered pairs on a grid.
  8. Greg's Grid Graphs - Help Greg and his family plan their visit to the museum
  9. Maze Game - Use your knowledge of points on a plane to move a robot to the target, while avoiding mines.
  10. Ordered Simple Plot - Input a series of (x,y) ordered pairs and plot them in the order the pairs are inputted, either connected or as unconnected data points.
YA Investigative Math