Big Idea(s):
Functions describe a unique relationship between variables where each input has exactly one unique output.
A function's variable relationship can be determined based on a table, mapping diagram, or a graph.
This lesson builds on students' work with identifying and describing patterns, as well as expressing relationships between quantities (4.OA.5, 5.OA.3). It extends students' experience with graphs, tables and proportional relationships (7.RP). This task presents students with a real-world situation they must analyze to determine functionality. It provides opportunities to visualize the unique input-output relationship of functions in a mapping diagram, table, and graph form. This builds toward understanding functions as a tool to make sense of relationships between variables and make predictions with numerical quantities.
Vocabulary: input, output, function, ordered pair, domain, range, independent variable, dependent variable
Special Materials:
Supplemental Handout (optional)
Lesson plan