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WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNTIn this activity, students write an equation in the form y = mx + b to model a linear relationship between two quantities using verbal, numeric, tabular,

and graphical representations.

Mathematics Standards Alignment Texas: 8.5I

Common Core: 8.F.B.4

Created by: B. Michelle Rinehart

@HowWeTeach

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TEACHER DIRECTIONS● Print pages 3-17 single-sided on cardstock. Laminate, if desired.

● Page 18 can be printed single-sided on copy paper then cut in half to make two

copies of a student recording sheet, if desired.

● Post one set of the Scavenger Hunt cards in alphabetical order around the

classroom or in a hallway.

● Student pairs can start at any station. Students record the letter of their first

station on their recording sheet. Students use the given information on the

bottom half of the station card to write a linear equation. Students then find the

station card around the room with the corresponding linear equation written on

the top of the card. Students record this letter as their next station on their

recording sheet, then write a linear equation for the given information on the

bottom half of this station card, and repeat.

● Page 19 is provided as an answer key. Students’ recording sheets may start with

a different first station, but the correct station order will be the same as on the

answer key.

Extension:● Students can select a prompt from the scavenger hunt, then use this information

to write the corresponding linear equation graphically, tabularly, and

symbolically.

● Students can select three real-world problems from the scavenger hunt, then

interpret the rate of change and initial value of each linear function in terms of

the situation it models.

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

James starts the semester with $75 in his bank account. He spends $8.50 per week on lunches. Write a function that

can be used to find y, the amount of money James will have in his account

at the end of x weeks of school.

A

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNTB

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNTC

x 1 2 3 4

y –5 –2.5 0 2.5

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNTD

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNTE

x y

2 –1.5

4 –5.5

6 –9.5

8 –13.5

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

Selene’s Bow Shop sells hair bows online. Small bows sell for $2.50. The shop also charges a shipping fee of $2 per order. Write a function that can be used to find y, the total cost to receive

x small hair bows in one order.

F

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

Ella bought a new computer on a payment plan. She pays $60 each

month until the computer is paid off. The sale price of the computer was

$500. Write an equation that represents the relationship between x, the number of monthly payments Ella has made, and y, the amount Ella still

owes for the computer.

G

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

Mrs. Garcia is planning to travel by taxi while in Dallas. The table below shows the total amount

she will be charged based on the number of miles the taxi travels. Write an equation that represents

y, the number of dollars Mrs. Garcia will pay for traveling x miles by taxi.

H

Number of miles, x 5 10 15 20

Total cost, y, in dollars 12.5 22.5 32.5 42.5

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNTI

x y

1 160

2 245

3 330

4 415

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

Mrs. West is ordering shirts for the coding club at school. The shirts sell for $8.50. Mrs. West has a coupon code to

receive free shipping on the order. Write a function that can be used to find y, the total cost to order x shirts.

J

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNTK

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

The graph shows the relationship between the volume of oil in a tank in gallons and the amount of time the

tank has been draining in minutes. Write an equation that represents the relationship shown in the graph.

L

Time (minutes)

Vo

lum

e (g

allo

ns)

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

The graph shows the relationship between the cost of some ribbon and the length of the ribbon in yards.

Write an equation that represents the relationship shown in the graph.

M

Length (yards)

Co

st (d

olla

rs)

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

The graph shows the relationship between the battery level of Cora’s cell phone and the amount of time Cora has been watching sports clips. Write an equation that

represents the relationship shown in the graph.

N

Time (hours)

Bat

tery

Lev

el (p

erce

nt)

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

Lane received a subscription to a jewelry delivery service for her birthday. Her father paid an initial setup fee for the service, then pays an additional amount for each bracelet Lane receives. Write a

function that can be used to find y, the total cost to receive x bracelets from this subscription service.

O

Number of bracelets, x 1 2 3 4

Total cost, y, in dollars 83.5 92 100.5 109

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

RECORDING SHEET

Our first station:

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

RECORDING SHEET

Our first station:

WRITING LINEAR EQUATIONSSCAVENGER HUNT

RECORDING SHEET

ODFIMGBACLHKJEN

Our first station:ANSWER

KEY