Overview
This inquiry unit guides students through the discovery of linear relationships using real-world data and contexts. Students move from pattern recognition to formal algebraic representation, building deep conceptual understanding of gradient, y-intercept, and the connections between tables, graphs, and equations.
Key Understandings
Students will understand that:
- Linear relationships can be represented in multiple ways (table, graph, equation, context)
- The gradient describes the rate of change in a relationship
- The y-intercept represents the starting value in a context
Inquiry Questions
Factual: What is a linear equation? How do we calculate gradient?
Conceptual: Why can the same relationship be shown in different ways? How does changing one representation affect the others?
Debatable: Is a mathematical model ever a perfect representation of reality?
Assessment
This unit targets MYP Criterion C (Communicating) and Criterion D (Applying mathematics in real-life contexts). Students complete a summative task analysing real data sets and communicating their findings.
Lesson Sequence
The unit runs over approximately 3 weeks (15 lessons) and follows a gradual release model from guided inquiry to independent investigation.
Teaching Tip: Begin with a concrete context students can relate to — mobile phone plans, taxi fares, or plant growth data work well. Let students discover the pattern before introducing formal notation.