Chapter 8: Linear Functions and Graphing

#1009 Geometry and Structural Engineering - Structural engineers use shapes to design huge buildings and bridges.

Ask students to think about tall buildings they have seen, and whether they have ever wondered what holds those buildings up.  Accept some answers, and tell them they are going to learn something about that as they watch Futures Channel Movie #1009 Geometry and Structural Engineering.  After the video, arrange students in small groups and ask them to do the Cantilevers activity, up to the point of graphing the data.  The graphs should come out to be approximately linear. 

Have some groups present their results and discuss why a structural engineer might find it important to understand such relationships. Tell students they will be learning more about how to graph linear functions in this chapter.