Introduction

In the real world, functions and relations have many different applications. Any relationship between two objects that change together is an example of a relation. For example, if you bounce a basketball, each second that passes has one and only one corresponding height.

In this lesson, you will study relations and their correlation with a function. You will also learn about domain and range of relations.

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Understand and identify domain and range of a given function.
  • Understand the meaning of a relation.
  • Understand the meaning of a function.
  • Identify linear and nonlinear functions.

Essential Questions

  • How do you know if a given relation represents a function?
  • What are some ways to find domain and range values of a function?
  • How do you combine two functions?
  • What does the numerical, algebraic, or verbal representation of a function tell you about graph of the function?
  • What are the differences and similarities between geometric and arithmetic series?
  • How can you determine the rate of change of a function using its equation and graph?

Enduring Understandings

  • Functions and relations can be represented in different ways.
  • The ability to identify the pattern in a sequence helps you calculate the common difference or ratio for a given sequence.
  • The rate of change of a function can be determined from its graph.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Algebra I standards: 15, 15b, and 16.