Introduction: Characteristics of Linear Functions and Their Graphs

Imagine placing a plant in the ground one day and finding that it has doubled its height just a few days later. Although it may seem incredible, this can happen with certain types of bamboo species. These members of the grass family are the fastest-growing plants in the world. One species of bamboo has been observed to grow nearly [latex]1.5[/latex] inches every hour. In a twenty-four hour period, this bamboo plant grows about [latex]36[/latex]/ inches, or an incredible [latex]3[/latex] feet! A constant rate of change, such as the growth cycle of this bamboo species, is a linear function.

In this lesson you will learn how to:

• Calculate and interpret the slope of a linear function
• Write the point-slope form of a linear function
• Use simple transformations to graph linear functions

The learning activities for this outcome include:

• Read: Calculate and interpret slope
• Self-Check: Calculate and interpret slope
• Read: Graph linear functions using slope and y-intercept
• Self-Check: Graph linear functions using slope and y-intercept
• Read: Transform linear functions
• Self-Check: Transform linear functions

Licenses & Attributions