E-Commerce Operations: Graphing Linear Functions
Help students master graphing linear functions by placing math in a realistic and engaging real-world context. In this interactive worksheet, students act as data analysts for an e-commerce warehouse during a major sale. They graph given linear functions, create tables, plot ordered pairs, and interpret graphs to understand how systems change over time.
This activity is designed as a pure plotting and interpretation task, making it an ideal entry point for the Grade 8 Functions unit.
What Students Will Do
- Graph given linear functions from real-world scenarios
- Create tables of values and write ordered pairs
- Plot points and observe linear relationships
- Interpret slope as a rate of change
- Interpret the y-intercept as a starting value
- Identify increasing and decreasing functions
- Answer conceptual multiple-choice questions based on graphs
Included Real-World Scenarios
All scenarios are interconnected and part of a single warehouse operation:
- Orders Processed Over Time
- Analyze how completed orders increase at a steady rate
- Inventory Remaining in Stock
- Graph a decreasing function as items are sold
- Fuel Remaining in a Delivery Truck
- Interpret a negative slope representing fuel usage during delivery
Each function represents a different system, helping students see how the same math applies across contexts.
Why Teachers Love This Worksheet
- Perfectly aligned to CCSS 8.F.A.1
- Focuses on graphing and interpreting given functions, not equation writing
- Realistic, modern context students relate to
- Supports randomization, so each student can receive different functions
- Auto-graded friendly with tables, coordinates, and graphs
- Ideal for interactive platforms, independent practice, or assessment
This worksheet helps students see that linear functions are tools used to understand real systems, not just abstract equations. Graphing becomes meaningful, visual, and connected to the real world.
Learning Objective
Students will graph given linear functions by creating tables and plotting ordered pairs, then interpret slopes and y-intercepts to explain how real-world quantities change at a constant rate. (Aligned to CCSS 8.F.A.1)
Randomization Available
This worksheet supports randomization, meaning each student may receive different linear functions for the same warehouse scenarios. This helps ensure unique graphs and promotes independent thinking while maintaining consistent learning goals.
💡 Tip: When assigning this activity to your classroom, you can optionally enable randomization to give each student a unique version of the problems. When you re-assign the same worksheet, each student will get a new set of questions, helping them master the content through repeated practice.
