Algebra 1 Common Core Student Edition, Grade 8-9

Key Concept Continuous and Discrete Graphs

Continuous Graph

A continuous graph is a g ra p h th a t

is u n b ro k e n.

Discrete Graph

A discrete graph is c o m p o s e d o f d is tin c t,

iso la te d p o in ts.

(Hq S& D Ident ifying Cont inuous and Discrete Grap hs

Ih jn k
How can you
decide if a graph
is c o n tin u o u s o r
discrete?
Decide w hat values
are reasonable for the
independent variable. For
example, if 3 and 4 make
sense, do 3.3 and 3.7
make sense as well?

Farmer's M arket A local cheese maker is making cheddar cheese to sell

at a farm er’s market. The amount of milk used to make the cheese and

the price at which he sells the cheese are shown. Write a function for

each situation. Graph each function. Is the graph continuous or discrete?

1 g a l o f m i l k

makes 16 oz of

cheddar cheese.

Each w h e e l o f

cheddar cheese

costs $9.

T h e w e ig h t w o f c h e e s e , i n o u n c e s , d e p e n d s

on the num ber of gallons m o f m i l k u s e d.

So w = 16 m. M ake a table of values.

The am ount a o f m o n e y m a d e fro m s e llin g

cheese depends on the n u m b e r n o f w h e e ls sold.

So a = 9n. M ake a table o f values.

°^12 3 4

0 16 32 4 8 6 4

0 1 2 3 4

o^9182736

Graph each ordered pair (m, w).

Weight of Cheese

Graph each ordered pair (n, a)

Money Earned

64

£ 32gi

"ai

0

Any amount of milk

makes sense, so

connect the points. The

graph is continuous.

36

0 1 2 3 4 5

Milk (gal), m

Z 18

o

<E

s

€

c>

0 1 2 3 4 5

He can o nly sell

whole wheels of

cheese. The graph

is discrete.

Wheels Sold, n

G

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Lesson 4 -4 G ra p h in g a Fun ctio n Rule 255