Lesson 10: Relate Tables, Graphs, and Equations

Property

Relationships between variables can be represented in three different ways:

1. A table of values displays specific data points with precise numerical values.
2. A graph is a visual display of the data. It is easier to spot trends and describe the overall behavior of the variables from a graph.
3. An algebraic equation is a compact summary of the model. It can be used to analyze the model and to make predictions.

Examples

• A gym membership costs 15 dollars a month plus a 60 dollar sign-up fee. The equation is $C = 60 + 15m$, where $C$ is the total cost and $m$ is the number of months.

• A table shows the distance a snail travels: At 1 hour, it has moved 2 feet. At 2 hours, 4 feet. At 3 hours, 6 feet. This shows a constant speed.