Expanding Space Station

Author

Texas Instruments

Alignment

Standards Alignment

Textbook Alignment

Subject Area

Math: Algebra I: Expressions

Math: Algebra I: Sequences and Series

Math: PreAlgebra: Expressions

Math: Middle Grades Math: Algebraic Thinking

Level

6-8

Activity Time

60 Minutes

TI Calculator

TI-30 X IIS™ / TI-30Xa

Other Materials

Plastic discs
Black transparencies/Chart paper

Resource Types

Lessons

Report an Issue

Expanding Space Station

Activity Overview

Students will find and compare function rules for a given pattern. They also evaluate variable expressions.

Before the Activity

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 22 - 25 from the attached PDF file for your class

Study the calculator keystrokes

During the Activity

Distribute the pages to the class.

Follow the activity procedures:

Explore the existing pattern

Generate a function rule for the pattern at stage 4 and a rule using 'n' as the stage number

Record the rule in words that reflect the pattern

Create a table of function rules that are mathematical equivalent

Generalize the rule for the 4th and the nth stage

Recognize the fact that a rule can have multiple statements

Write down different versions of the rule

Compare the different versions of the function rule and their outputs

Simplify all the versions and understand that the results are same

After the Activity

Students complete the Student Activity pages and calculate the total number of units needed at each stage of the NASA plan.

Review student results

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

Download Files

Download All Files (ZIP)

Before the Activity Files

Teacher Notes PDF

Author

Texas Instruments

Alignment

Standards Alignment

Textbook Alignment

Subject Area

Math: Algebra I: Expressions

Math: Algebra I: Sequences and Series

Math: PreAlgebra: Expressions

Math: Middle Grades Math: Algebraic Thinking

Level

6-8

Activity Time

60 Minutes

TI Calculator

TI-30 X IIS™ / TI-30Xa

Other Materials

Plastic discs
Black transparencies/Chart paper

Resource Types

Lessons

Report an Issue

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Expanding Space Station

Expanding Space Station

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