As a math teacher, I’m always on the lookout for engaging ways to teach complex concepts. Recently, I introduced a “Writing Function Rules” activity with my Algebra 1 students that’s been a hit. The worksheet features six scenarios inspired by popular movies, games, and TV shows. Both linear and nonlinear (quadratic and exponential) function problems are included, providing a well-rounded practice session while catering to different skill levels.
In this activity, students are tasked with reading a scenario and determining if it represents a linear or nonlinear function. Then they must write a function rule for the scenario and evaluate the function for a specific input. There is one problem where they must solve their function rule for a desired output. The nonlinear function scenarios tend to present a bigger challenge to my students. I encourage them to create tables of the scenario in order to better understand the relationship between the independent and dependent variable.
The real-world (albeit fictional) applications help students see the practical side of math. It’s a great tool for any math teacher looking to add some fun and relevance to their function lessons. If you plan to implement this worksheet in your classroom and would like access to the answer key, please email us at chill@inspiredbymath.net.
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