Math 10C Module 6: Lesson 2

Module 6: Linear Equations

Lesson 2: The Equation of a Line

Focus

This shows a photo of two scuba divers swimming near plant life and a school of fish.

© Irmina Mamot/1634365/Fotolia

Scuba diving has become a popular leisure activity, especially for people who are on holidays in tropical places. Scuba is short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. While it is fun and thrilling, scuba diving can be a dangerous activity without the proper training. Scuba diving courses emphasize safety and devote much attention to the mastery of basic skills as well as the execution of emergency procedures.

 

Decompression sickness, commonly referred to as “the bends,” is caused by rising to the surface too quickly after a prolonged stay in deep waters. With the bends, so called because the pain would cause divers to bend over, tiny bubbles of gases normally dissolved in the blood form in the joints, similar to the tiny bubbles that form in a soda bottle when you open it. If you shake a soda can and then open it quickly, many bubbles will form due to the change in pressure when the can is opened. This is similar to decompression sickness. Fortunately, understanding the relationship between depth and pressure allows scuba divers to take actions to avoid getting “the bends.”

As divers descend to lower depths in the ocean, the ambient pressure—the pressure of the surrounding water—on them increases at a linear rate. At sea level, the pressure is 101.3 kPa, and each 10 m of depth adds another 101.3 kPa of pressure.

Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to

  • write the equation of a linear relation, given its slope and the coordinates of a point on the line, and explain the reasoning

  • write the equation of a linear relation, given the coordinates of two points on the line, and explain the reasoning

Lesson Questions

  • How are the properties of a linear function used to determine its equation?

  • In what ways does drawing a graph help you to solve math problems?

Assessment

As you work through each lesson, complete all the questions and learning activities in your binder using paper and pencil, clearly labeling your work (they refer to this as your course folder). These include the Are you Ready, Try This, Share and Self Check questions. Check your work if answers are provided. Remember that these questions provide you with the practice and feedback that you need to successfully complete this course.
Once you have completed all of the learning activities, take the Lesson Quiz. This is the assessment for each lesson and is located under the Activities block on the left in moodle or under the Assess tab.


** Note – Share questions may have to be done on your own depending on your learning situation**