CurriculumGrade 9Mathematics

Building a Function

Aligned to F-BF.A.1 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

What this lesson teaches

To model a relationship, identify the starting value and the rate of change, then write output = rate × input + start.

Worked example

A tree is 4 ft tall and grows 2 ft per year. Its height after x years is h(x) = 2x + 4. After 5 years, h(5) = 2(5) + 4 = 14 ft.

Practice questions

  1. Write a function for a savings account with $100 that gains $25 per week.
  2. A candle is 20 cm tall and burns 3 cm per hour. Write its height function.
  3. A taxi charges $4 plus $2 per mile. Write the cost function.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

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En español

Construir una Función

Para modelar una relación, identifica el valor inicial y la tasa de cambio, luego escribe salida = tasa × entrada + inicio.

Ejemplo: Un árbol mide 4 pies y crece 2 pies por año. Su altura después de x años es h(x) = 2x + 4. Después de 5 años, h(5) = 2(5) + 4 = 14 pies.

More Functions lessons

Interpreting Graphs of FunctionsF-IF.B.4What Is a Function?F-IF.A.1Evaluating FunctionsF-IF.A.2Sequences as FunctionsF-IF.A.3Domain in ContextF-IF.B.5Average Rate of ChangeF-IF.B.6

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