In this lesson, students recall how to calculate the slope between 2 points and interpret slopes in situations. In the associated Algebra 1 lesson, students consider average rates of change over intervals that are not necessarily connected by line segments. By focusing on shorter rates of change and slopes in this lesson, students can master the mechanics and reasoning before expanding their understanding in the associated Algebra 1 lesson.

Students must reason abstractly and quantitatively (MP2) when they connect the meaning of certain slopes to a situation.