Students will investigate the input/output model for building function tables. Then they will connect tables, graphs, function rules, and equations in one variable. Finally, they will work backwards to determine function rules for given data sets or graphs.
This lesson is designed to introduce students to the idea of functions composed of two operations, with specific attention to linear functions and their representations as rules and data tables, including the mathematical notions of independent and dependent variables. Includes input/output table activity.