Simultanous Equations and Coordinate Graphing

Four Quadrant Grid: 30 x 40 Portrait

This activity provides practice with both algebraic equation solving and coordinate graphing. By solving 8 simultaneous equations and 4 equations which cross the y-axis, students will create pairs of Cartesian coordinates to create the lines of the snowflake. After they finish with that, they will plot the remainder of the snowflake using a list of coordinate points.

This activity can be a class project or something to be worked on independently when time allows. It also works as an extra credit assignment or when there is a substitute teacher. The finished product will make a great bulletin board display.

This lesson includes:

• 12 equations to solve
• Blank answer sheet for the student’s calculations
• Answer key for the equations with solutions
• Coordinate graph paper for plotting (with a light, medium and dark grid)
• List of points to plot
• Full sized answer key
• Sample of the completed project in color

Instructional Materials include:

• Student Directions for Plotting Coordinates
• Directions for Plotting Coordinates with Fractions and Decimals
• Directions for Plotting Coordinates in Quadrant I
• Directions for Plotting Coordinates in All Quadrants
• Details for Plotting Coordinates with Fractions in Quadrant I
• Details for Plotting Coordinates with Fractions in All Quadrants.

If you like these projects please let us know. There are many projects, activities and math labs covering the entire school year and some projects are cross curricular (Sports, Patriotism, Seasons, Holidays, History, and Science). Lessons begin at 2nd grade and are also appropriate for the Middle School and some for High School students. These projects have been used successfully at both the Elementary and Middle School levels.

All projects are copyrighted, so please don’t distribute them to all of your colleagues. Instead direct them to our Store,

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anthony-And-Linda-Iorlano

Anthony Iorlano and Linda Iorlano


NCTM Standards
Specify locations and describe spatial relationships using coordinate geometry and other representational systems.

Common Core State Standards
CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A.1 Use a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the plane located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel from the origin in the direction of one axis, and the second number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond (e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate).

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.B.6 Use similar triangles to explain why the slope m is the same between any two distinct points on a non-vertical line in the coordinate plane; derive the equation y = mx for a line through the origin and the equation y = mx + b for a line intercepting the vertical axis at b.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.8.EE.C.8.B Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables algebraically, and estimate solutions by graphing the equations.

Keywords: Coordinate Drawing, Coordinate Drafting, Coordinate Graphing, Abscissa, Ordinate, Ordered Pair, Snowflake, Snow, Winter, Equations, Simultaneous Equations, Simultaneous