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