3.8 Unit Activity

​TASK 1: NUMBERS ON A NUMBER LINE For this task, you will need to set up a number line on the floor. Using paper cutouts of identical shapes, create a number line on the floor as shown in the picture. Mark each cutout with numbers in ascending order (starting at -5 and ending at 5). Make sure the cutouts are equally spaced and that you can step from one number to another without difficulty. Also, do not skip numbers.

Open Ended

Part A

If you start from 0, how many steps do you have to take to get to -3? What does the number of steps represent?

Open Ended

Part B

Which other number is the same number of steps from 0 as -3?

Open Ended

Part C

Which number is the opposite of -3? Starting at -3, how many steps does it take to get to the opposite of -3? What does this number of steps represent?

Open Ended

Part D

Starting from the number you walked to in Part c, walk to the opposite of that number. Which number did you end up on? How many steps did you take?

​TASK 2: COMPARING NUMBERS ON A NUMBER LINE

In this task, you will reuse the number line you created on the floor to compare numbers.

Open Ended

Part A

Stand on -2. Which values on your number line are less than -2?

Open Ended

Part B

Which values are greater than -2?

Open Ended

Part C

Which values are farther from 0 than -2 is? Is this set of values different from the set of values greater than -2? Why?

Open Ended

Part D

Which values are closer to 0 than -2 is? Is this set of values different from the set of values less than -2? Why?

​TASK 3: COORDINATE PLANE

For this task, you’ll have to set up a model of the coordinate plane on the floor, as shown in the picture. Use paper cutouts to set up perpendicular number lines, and make sure you mark which is the x-axis and which is the y-axis. Mark values on each axis in ascending order (starting at -5 and ending at 5). Keep at least six extra paper cutouts ready to use during the activity.

Note that you should walk only horizontally or vertically on your coordinate plane model and not skip points. Do not walk diagonally between the points.

Open Ended

Part A

Start at the origin (0, 0), and walk 3 spaces in the positive x direction and 2 spaces in the negative y direction. Use a paper cutout to label the point you have reached as A. What are the coordinates of point A?

Open Ended

Part B

From point A, walk 4 spaces in the negative x direction, and 3 spaces in the positive y direction. Use a paper cutout to label the point you reach as B. What are the coordinates of point B?

Open Ended

Part C

How many steps did you take to walk from point A to point B? Can you walk from point A to point B in fewer steps without taking a diagonal path?