171. Finding Linear Rules from Tables and Graphs

Learning Intentions

  • Recognise that the rule for a linear equation can be determined from a table of values
  • Determine the rule for a table of values
  • Determine the rule from a linear Draw when the coordinates are known for integer values of

Pre-requisite Summary

  • A relationship between and can be shown Use a table of values or a graph
  • A linear relationship changes by a constant amount as increases by equal steps
  • Ordered pairs are written as
  • A point lies on a graph if its coordinates satisfy the rule
  • Substitution can be used to test whether a rule matches a table or graph
  • The rule for a linear relationship can often be written in the form
  • The coefficient of shows how much changes when increases by
  • The constant term shows the value of when

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

Solve the rule for the table of values.

Worked Example 2

Find the rule for the table of values.

Worked Example 3

Find the rule for the table of values.

Worked Example 4

A linear graph passes through the points , , and .

Determine the rule.

Worked Example 5

A linear graph passes through the points , , and .

Determine the rule.

Worked Example 6

A student says the rule for the table below is .

Test the claim and determine the correct rule.

Problems

Problem 1

Find the rule for the table of values.

Problem 2

Find the rule for the table of values.

Problem 3

Find the rule for the table of values.

Problem 4

A linear graph passes through the points , , and .

Determine the rule.

Problem 5

A linear graph passes through the points , , and .

Determine the rule.

Problem 6

A student says the rule for the table below is .

Test the claim and determine the correct rule.

Exercises

Understanding and Fluency

Exercise 1.

Decide whether each table shows a linear relationship.

a)

b)

Exercise 2.

Find the rule for each table.

a)

b)

Exercise 3.

Find the rule for each table.

a)

b)

Exercise 4.

Determine the rule from each set of points.

a) , , ,

b) , , ,

Exercise 5.

Determine the rule from each set of points.

a) , , ,

b) , , ,

Exercise 6.

For each table, first find how much changes when increases by , then write the rule.

a)

b)

Exercise 7.

A linear graph passes through the integer-coordinate points shown. Determine the rule.

a) , , ,

b) , , ,

Exercise 8.

A linear graph passes through the integer-coordinate points shown. Determine the rule.

a) , , ,

b) , , ,

Reasoning

Exercise 9.

Explain why a constant change in for each increase of in suggests a linear rule.

Exercise 10.

A student says that because the values of are , the rule must be . Explain the error.

Exercise 11.

Explain why the value of when helps Identify the constant term in the rule.

Exercise 12.

A student looks at the points , and and says the rule is . Test the claim and explain whether it is correct.

Problem-solving

Exercise 13.

A pattern table shows the number of tiles in each figure.

Figure number
Number of tiles

Determine the rule connecting figure number and number of tiles.

Exercise 14.

A taxi fare is shown in the table below, where is the number of kilometres and is the total cost in dollars.

Determine the rule.

Exercise 15.

A line on a graph passes through the points , , and .

Determine the rule.

Exercise 16.

The table below shows the relationship between the number of weeks and the height of a plant in centimetres.

Determine the rule.

Potential Misunderstandings

  • Thinking any table of values must represent a linear relationship
  • Forgetting to Check whether the change in is constant
  • Confusing the coefficient of with the constant term
  • Using the first value of as the coefficient of
  • Forgetting that the constant term is the value of when
  • Reversing the roles of and when reading a table or graph
  • Guessing a rule without testing it against all the given values
  • Thinking a rule from a graph can be found from only one point
  • Ignoring negative values when determining the pattern in a table

Next: 172. Solving Equations Using Graphs