Semester 2 Topic 4 Level J

Task Name : Line segment game Task Level : J (Year 9)
Semester : 2 Topic : Lines and Coordinates VC Strand : Linear and non-linear relationships
Web Address : http://maths.crusoecollege.vic.edu.au/lnlJ
Equipment Needed : Game sheets (there are 1-quadrant and 4-quadrant versions); two ten-sided dice
Victorian Curriculum outcome : Find the distance between two points located on a Cartesian plane using a range of strategies, including graphing software. Find the midpoint and gradient of a line segment (interval) on the Cartesian plane using a range of strategies, including graphing software
Task description : There are two games to play. In the first, the object is to gain points based on the distance of a line from the last point. Students begin by rolling two dice, which form the coordinates of the starting point. The first student then rolls the dice, and must decide which one will be the x-coordinate and which will be the y-coordinate. They plot the point, calculate the distance from the previous point and draw a line between them. They are awarded points based on the distance (rounded to the nearest unit). Then the next student rolls the dice and draws their line from the first studentโ€™s endpoint. In the second game, the rules are identical apart from the points being derived from the mid-point of the line rather than the distance. Each student must record four lines they have drawn with the associated distance, and four with the midpoint. All must show working.
Assessment options : Photographs of graph, rule, and table.
Teacher notes : For students not quite ready to work with four quadrants, you can simplify the game by using a one-quadrant sheet. The rules of the game are a little convoluted, so it may be worth spending time to explain the game to your students.
Downloads : line segment game level J