Explanation Template
A reasoning framework for representing, interpreting,
verifying, and applying linear relationships
Secondary Mathematics (Grades 6-10)
Name:
____________________________________________________________
Class/Grade:
____________________________________________________________
Date:
____________________________________________________________
How to Use This Template
Understand → Represent → Construct → Interpret →
Verify → Critique → Apply → Transfer → Reflect
Protymera
1
, Task Setup
This information is given as:
☐ Equation
☐ Table of values
☐ Graph
☐ Verbal description
☐ More than one representation
Problem / Scenario:
What am I being asked to determine? ____________________________
2
,Record What's Given
Equation/Rule (if given): _______________________________________
Useful rewritten form (if needed): _______________________________
Table of values (if given or read from a graph):
x
y
Verbal description (if given):
Input: ______________________________________________________
Unit: _______________________________________________________
Output: _____________________________________________________
Unit: _______________________________________________________
3
, Representation Decoder
What to look for in each representation type:
Equation: coefficient of x, the Graph: axes, scale, two reliable
constant, useful form, slope, and y- points, rise/run, y-intercept, direction,
intercept. and domain cues.
Table: change in y, change in x, a Verbal: variables, a rate, a starting
constant rate, and the initial value. amount, units, relationship language,
and restrictions.
IF YOU GET STUCK
Slope from an equation? Look for the coefficient of x when it's in slope-
intercept form. Slope from a table? Compare the changes in y and x
between two rows. Interpreting slope? Include both quantities and their
units. Graphing? Start with table points and check your scale first.
Find the Slope
m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Point 1 (x1, y1)
Point 2 (x2, y2)
Change in y (y2 - y1)
Change in x (x2 - x1)
Slope (m)
Units
★ If x2 - x1 = 0, the slope is undefined and the relationship is vertical -
do not force a numerical value.
4