1. Section 1

1.11. Lesson 2

Mathematics 20-3 Module 3

Section 1: Slope—Physical Objects

 

Lesson 2: Calculating and Understanding Slope

 
Focus

 

This is a photo of trucks being driven down a slope.

© NaDi/25133759/Fotolia

 

This is a photo of a road sign with slope information for truckers.

Comstock/Thinkstock

Trucks, especially those with big loads, have to slow down at some points along roads. This is especially true when the vehicles are being driven downhill. To help the truck drivers, there are signs telling them

  • the road’s steepness
  • the speed they should be driving
  • how long the stretch of road is that they need to slow down for

In Lesson 1 you learned that slopes can be found all around. You also learned that slope is defined as In this lesson you will make calculations to find slope. You will also decide what slope values tell you about the steepness of a slanted object.

 

Lesson Questions

 

In this lesson you will investigate the following questions:

  • How is slope calculated?
  • Under what conditions will a slope be constant, zero, or undefined?
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 additions to the Math 20-3: Glossary Terms and the Formula Sheet

  • Lesson 2 Assignment (Save a copy of your lesson assignment document to your course folder now.)

  • the Project Connection
Materials and Equipment