Slope Comparison

Quickie Online Activity

1. Use the mouse to bring one of the segments (drag an endpoint) to a position so it has a slope of 5/8. This is the "first segment."
   1. What is this slope as a decimal? ______
2. Use the mouse to bring the other segment to a position so it is parallel to the first segment.
   1. What is the slope of the second segment, as a fraction? ______
   2. What is the slope of the second segment, as a decimal? ______
3. Use the mouse to bring the second segment to a position so it is perpendicular to the first segment.
   1. What is the slope of the second segment, as a fraction? ______
   2. What is the slope of the second segment, as a decimal? ______

4. Raise your hand to call over the Teacher.

Evaluation: _____/8

URL: http://members.shaw.ca/ron.blond/slopes.APPLET/index.html

Mathematical Concept(s) Illuminated: Slopes of parallel lines. Slopes of perpendicular lines. What "negative reciprocal" means. Decimal and fraction number sense. Algebra I (or Algebra II) level.

How important is a demonstration prior to student use? Mildly important. It may be useful to demonstrate this applet ahead of time, but it wouldn't be required in all circumstances.

Classroom Use Comments:

• Activity setup: Set the window to graph segments. Click Reset. Provide a copy of the worksheet (above) for each student in front of the computer.
• Implementation: Send one student to the computer at a time. The activity should take less than 5 minutes per student and should be self-explanatory.
• Assessment: Check the student's five answers (right or wrong) and they get 3 points for having the segments on the screen have slopes of 5/8 and -8/5, respectively. Put the total on the student's sheet and collect it. Click Reset and bring the next student to the computer.

Created by: Jim Olsen, Western Illinois University