CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.2

MathGrades 9–12Creating Equations

The standard

Create equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between quantities; graph equations on coordinate axes with labels and scales.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics

What this standard means

Students need to turn a situation with related quantities into an equation using two or more variables. They also need to graph that equation with a clear title, labeled axes, useful scales, and points or lines that match the context.

Mastery looks like choosing variables, writing a sensible equation, explaining what each part means, and making a graph that someone else can read. Students often get stuck picking the dependent and independent variables, choosing a scale, or graphing values that do not make sense in the situation, like negative time or half a person.

Ways to teach it

  • Have students use cups and water to model filling a container, record height over time, write an equation, and graph it.
  • Ask students to write an equation for a phone plan and explain what each variable, coefficient, and intercept means.
  • Give a short scenario with four possible equations and graphs, then have students choose the matching pair and justify it.
  • Use a school fundraiser budget, with items sold and money raised, to create and graph an equation with meaningful scales.

Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.2

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Related standards

  • CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A.1

    Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems. Include equations arising from linear and quadratic functions, and simple rati...

  • CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.B.4

    For a function that models a relationship between two quantities, interpret key features of graphs and tables in terms of the quantities, and sketch graphs show...

  • CCSS.Math.Content.6.EE.C.9

    Use variables to represent two quantities in a real-world problem that change in relationship to one another; write an equation to express one quantity, thought...

  • CCSS.Math.Content.HSA-CED.A

    Create equations that describe numbers or relationships

Standard text verified against corestandards.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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