Lesson 4


Lesson 4 Part 1

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Coordinates are the numbers used to give positions of points in a plane or space. In two dimensions, the coordinate plane has two number lines called the x-axis and the y-axis. The x-axis runs horizontally, and the y-axis runs vertically. The point where the two axes cross is called the origin.
For example, Point (4, 3) represents 4 as its x-coordinate, and 3 as its y-coordinate. The x-coordinate and y-coordinate respectively tell the signed distance from the y-axis and the x-axis. If the point is to the left of the origin, its x-coordinate is negative, and if the point is below the origin, its y-coordinate is negative.

Lesson 4 Part 1-1

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Coordinates are the numbers used to give positions of points in a plane or space.

Lesson 4 Part 1-2

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In two dimensions, the coordinate plane has two number lines called the x-axis and the y-axis.

Lesson 4 Part 1-3

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The x-axis runs horizontally, and the y-axis runs vertically.

Lesson 4 Part 1-4

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The point where the two axes cross is called the origin.

Lesson 4 Part 1-5

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For example, Point (4, 3) represents 4 as its x-coordinate, and 3 as its y-coordinate.

Lesson 4 Part 1-6

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The x-coordinate and y-coordinate respectively tell the signed distance from the y-axis and the x-axis.

Lesson 4 Part 1-7

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If the point is to the left of the origin, its x-coordinate is negative.

Lesson 4 Part 1-8

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And if the point is below the origin, its y-coordinate is negative.

Lesson 4 Part 2

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Graphs are a good way to show formulae in visual form. Functions like y = 2x – 3 and y = -x + 3 can be graphed like those in Figure 1. This type of function is called a linear function because the graphs of such functions are drawn as straight lines. In the graph of y = 2x – 3, the slope of it is 2, and the y-intercept is -3.
When an object is moving in a straight line at a constant speed, the object’s travel distance increases in proportion to the time. The graph in Figure 2 shows the relationship between the distance and the time. The x-axis represents the time, and the y-axis represents the distance. The straight line that crosses two axes at the origin shows a proportional relationship. The gradient of the line represents the velocity of the object.

Lesson 4 Part 2-1

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Graphs are a good way to show formulae in visual form.

Lesson 4 Part 2-2

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Functions like y = 2x – 3 and y = -x + 3 can be graphed like those in Figure 1.

Lesson 4 Part 2-3

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This type of function is called a linear function because the graphs of such functions are drawn as straight lines.

Lesson 4 Part 2-4

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In the graph of y = 2x – 3, the slope of it is 2.

Lesson 4 Part 2-5

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And the y-intercept is -3.

Lesson 4 Part 2-6

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When an object is moving in a straight line at a constant speed.

Lesson 4 Part 2-7

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The object’s travel distance increases in proportion to the time.

Lesson 4 Part 2-8

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The graph in Figure 2 shows the relationship between the distance and the time.

Lesson 4 Part 2-9

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The x-axis represents the time, and the y-axis represents the distance.

Lesson 4 Part 2-10

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The straight line that crosses two axes at the origin shows a proportional relationship.

Lesson 4 Part 2-11

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The gradient of the line represents the velocity of the object.

Lesson 4 Part 3

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The curve in Figure 1 shows a quadratic function y = x2. A quadratic function is generally described by the form y = ax2 + bx + c.
The shape of the curve for a quadratic function is a parabola. In general, a parabola will open upward and have a minimum point when the coefficient of x2 is positive. It will open downward and have a maximum point when the coefficient of x2 is negative.
To solve a quadratic equation x2 = 9, you have to find the numbers whose square is 9. The answers are 3 and -3, because both 32 and (-3)2 are 9.
However, when you solve an equation like x2 = 5, you cannot find its solutions in integers or decimals. In this case, you can express the answer ±√5, which is the number whose square is 5.

Lesson 4 Part 3-1

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The curve in Figure 1 shows a quadratic function y = x2.

Lesson 4 Part 3-2

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A quadratic function is generally described by the form.

Lesson 4 Part 3-3

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y = ax2 + bx + c.

Lesson 4 Part 3-4

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The shape of the curve for a quadratic function is a parabola.

Lesson 4 Part 3-5

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In general, a parabola will open upward and have a minimum point when the coefficient of x2 is positive.

Lesson 4 Part 3-6

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It will open downward and have a maximum point when the coefficient of x2 is negative.

Lesson 4 Part 3-7

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To solve a quadratic equation x2 = 9.

Lesson 4 Part 3-8

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You have to find the numbers whose square is 9.

Lesson 4 Part 3-9

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The answers are 3 and -3.

Lesson 4 Part 3-10

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Because both 32 and (-3)2 are 9.

Lesson 4 Part 3-11

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However, when you solve an equation like x2 = 5.

Lesson 4 Part 3-12

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You cannot find its solutions in integers or decimals.

Lesson 4 Part 3-13

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In this case, you can express the answer ±√5.

Lesson 4 Part 3-14

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Which is the number whose square is 5.