System of Linear Equations (Katie Olivolo)

Instructional Objective: When do you use Systems of Linear Equations to solve real-life problems?

Today you will work through the following webquest to answer just that! You will have the task of selecting a cell phone plan. Your parents have told you that they will pay $25 a month for the bill, and now it is up to you to pick the best plan! In the process you will understand more about a system of linear equations and how they apply to real life situations.

Standards:
Computer/Technology Standards: Mathematics
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computerskills/scos/18grades9-12
Objective 3.03: Use a calculator, scientific calculator, or graphing calculator for problem-solving.
Students will use their graphing calculators to graph the system of linear equations.


NETS Standards for Students:
http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Student_2007_EN.sflb.ashx  
Standard 4: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
Students will use a system of linear equations that they develop to use and investigate in order to make an informed decision about which cell phone plan is better.


North Carolina SCOS Standards: Algebra 1
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/mathematics/scos/2003/9-12/45algebra1
Goal 4: The learner will use relations and functions to solve problems.
Objective 4.01 Use linear functions or inequalities to model and solve problems; justify results.
a. Solve using tables, graphs, and algebraic properties.
b. Interpret constants and coefficients in the context of the problem.

Objective 4.03 Use systems of linear equations or inequalities in two variables to model and solve problems. Solve using tables, graphs, and algebraic properties; justify results.

Students will develop a system of linear equations, justify the equations, graph them, and use the data associated with them to help solve the problem of picking the better cell phone plan.