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Section 2

1. Section 2

1.1. Lesson 1

Mathematics 20-3 Module 3

Section 2: Slope—Rate of Change

 

Lesson 1: Rate Problems—Unit Analysis

 

Focus

 

In the left photo, two wheelchair racers take part in a race. In the photo on the right, middle distance runner Svetlana Masterkova takes part in a race.

wheelchair racers: © Peter Parks/Getty Images; Svetlana Masterkova: © George Gobet/Getty Images

 

In this lesson you will look at rates of change. The time it takes to move a distance, also known as speed, is an example of a rate of change. As you move through Lesson 1 you will see that slopes can describe rates of change.

 

Shelly Woods is a British wheelchair racer who set a women’s world record time of 3:21.22 min in the 1500-m race. Svetlana Masterdova of Russia is a world record holder who ran 1000 m in 2:28.98 min. Who was moving at a faster speed? How can you compare the times when the distances are different?

 

As you looked at the two racing photos, did you notice the differences in safety equipment? Why is the type of protective equipment different?

 

Lesson Questions

 

In this lesson you will investigate the following questions:

  • How is unit analysis used to solve problems?

  • How does slope describe a rate of change?
Assessment


Your assessment for this lesson may include a combination of the following:

  • course folder submissions from the Try This and Share Sections of the lesson

  • your contribution to the Mathematics 20-3: Glossary Terms and the Formula Sheet

  • Lesson 1 Assignment (Save a copy of your lesson assignment document to your course folder now.)

  • the Project Connection