Desmos

6th & 7th Grade Problem Solving & 8th Grade Algebra

Jared Sutton

Problem Identified: Last year, I noticed that students had difficulty transitioning from the graphing of linear equations on paper to solving systems of standard form equations that require scalar-manipulation of both equations for a non-integer solution. The most efficient approach for systems of equations of this type is solution by graphing after isolating a common variable in both equations.

Hypothesis: If I model use of Desmos as a tool for solving systems of linear equations then Algebra students will more efficiently solve systems of equations as measured by mastery checks for "I can solve a system of linear equations graphically."

Data Collection: Mastery Check after several Do Now problems with equations without context:

Actionable Step: Desmos is useful to display data sets in tables and solution curves to equations.

• It can also be useful in building regression curves to generate new equations from data sets.

Overall Findings/Impact: Being able to use the graphing features of Desmos to generate their own equations for peers, students grew more familiar with the problem of graphing domain and range when searching for an intersection between solution lines. When given the option to solve algebraically or graphically, an average of 3.75/12 students chose to solve graphically before our work with Desmos. After our work with Desmos, 9/12 chose to solve the Mastery Check systems of equations above graphically.