Useful?
'Enter the right equation and knock over the bowling pins!'
In this activity you will discover the properties of straight lines. There is a quick game to help you discover how to plot horizontal and vertical lines before you investigate the properties of diagonal lines. Once you are confident with this you should try the bowling games. Strike!! Only when you have the correct equations entered will you be able to bowl the pins over. Good luck and have fun!
Resources & Description
Horizontal & Vertical
In the graph below type the equation of the straight line that will pass through all the points.
Press refresh 
for a new set of points (if refresh icon does not show immediately manually refresh page and it should appear!)
Find and type in the new equation. Repeat 5 times.
Direct link 
Horizontal & Vertical
Investigation
In the following applet there is a line with its equation displayed. The two sliders a and b change the equation and the graph that goes with it. Play and experiment with the values of the sliders and try to discover how the equation is related to the shape of the graph.
Direct link Investigation
Try to make the following graphs and write down their equations:
- A horizontal line.
- A line that goes through the origin.
- A line that goes through the origin and is horizontal.
- A line that slopes up from left to right.
- Another line that slopes up from left to right but is steeper than the last one.
- A line that slopes down from left to right.
- Another line that slopes down from left to right but is less steep than the last one.
Bowling Game
Here are some bowling games
Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6
Depending on your internet speed these graphs may take a few seconds to upload.
In each of the games you will see some pins that need knocking down. Type in the correct equation and press play. You will only knock them over if you have the right equation!
Here is an example of a successful strike!
Explain your Findings
After you have completed the Bowling Games give the equation of the following graph and explain how you found it.
Further Practice
In the graph below type the equation of the straight line that will pass through all the points.
Press refresh 
for a new set of points (if refresh icon does not show immediately manually refresh page and it should appear!)
Find and type in the new equation. Repeat 5 times.
Direct link Further Practice
Extension - Make the Shape
Now is the time to put in to practice what you have learnt. Using Geogebra or another graphing software make some shapes by entering the correct equations. Click on the image below to download the worksheet.
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