Comparing Functions: Function Sleuthing to Find Rules A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines.



Title Comparing Functions: Function Sleuthing to Find Rules
Description This should take place after a good amount of exploration of the multiple representations of functions (graphs, tables, rules, explicit & recursive sentences) but before the abstraction of writing an algebraic linear rule has been mastered. Students should be familiar with comparing growth rates (including increasing and decreasing trends) as well as initial values of different linear functions. Content Objectives: Students will use a table or graph to construct an equivalent function rule. Students will be able to compare two functions represented graphically and numerically in tables. Students will use their own words to complete the sentence frames (below) to describe the growth of two functions: Recursive: To find the next output, use the output before and ________. Explicit: To find each output, use the input and ________.
Subject Mathematics
Level High School, Middle School
Type Guided Activity
Duration 90 minutes
Answers Included No
Language English
Keywords algebra, equation, explicit, graph, pattern, recursive, rule, slope, table
Simulation(s) Function Builder (HTML5)

Author(s) Cary Hoste
Contact Email cary.hoste@bvsd.org
School / Organization Casey Middle School
Date submitted 4/6/17
Date updated 6/6/17