This week we mainly focused on starting our graphing and linear relations unit. In this unit, we use different types of variables that affect what the graphs look like. There are 2 types of variables, discrete variables and continous variables. While doing these graphs, there are also 2 kinds of graphs that we can use, and that depends of the degree of the rule. The graphs are called linear and non-linear relations.

Variables-This is what tells us what kind of graph we should be filling in: the data given gives us clues on whenever the dots should be connected in a line or left just as unconnected dots. 

Discrete:

These kinds of variables are used in the case of whole numbers, such as the numbers of cars or amount of people in a household. In this case, since is no such thing as half of a person or half of a car, the dots placed along the graph are not connected.

Continous:

These variables are used for a different reason. They are used in the case of measuring an amount of a thing, like time or distance traveled or weight. They are not whole numbers, and so the dots on the graphs are connected because the space between dots has a value.

Relations-How do you tell what kind of relation it is? If the degree of the expression is 1, then it is a linear relation. If the degree is not 1 and it is 2, 3, or 4 then it is a non-linear relation. 

Linear:

This kind of relation is used only in the case that data is placed in a line on the graph. If the dots line up and can be connected using a ruler, than this is the kind of relatio you use.

Non-Linear:

This kind of relation is used in the case that the data placed on the graph, does not line up or be connected in a straight line. It may be in a circle or other shape as long as it is not connected in a line.