Functions

Lesson 11

Math

Unit 4

8th Grade

Lesson 11 of 12

Objective


Describe functions by analyzing graphs. Identify intervals of increasing, decreasing, linear, or nonlinear activity.

Common Core Standards


Core Standards

  • 8.F.B.5 — Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a graph (e.g., where the function is increasing or decreasing, linear or nonlinear). Sketch a graph that exhibits the qualitative features of a function that has been described verbally.

Criteria for Success


  1. Identify and describe where a graph may be increasing or decreasing.
  2. Identify and describe where a graph may be linear or nonlinear. 
  3. Interpret a graph in context of the situation, paying close attention to the variables involved. 
  4. Describe stories that match graphical representations of functions. 

Tips for Teachers


Lessons 11 and 12 focus on graphical representations of functions and understanding them qualitatively. In Lesson 11, students analyze the structural appearance of graphs to understand and describe how the behavior of the function changes (MP.7). In Lesson 12, students sketch graphs when given descriptions. 

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Anchor Problems

25-30 minutes


Problem 1

Use the graph of the function below to answer the questions that follow. 

a.   Name an interval of $$x$$ where the function is linear. 

b.   Name an interval of $$x $$ where the function is increasing.

c.   Name an interval of $$x$$ where the function is decreasing linearly. 

d.   In what interval of $$x$$ is the function increasing at its greatest rate? 

e.   Explain what is happening in the interval where $$x$$ is between 2 and 4. 

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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Problem 2

Below are two graphs that look the same. Note that the first graph shows the distance of a car from home as a function of time, and the second graph shows the speed of a different car as a function of time. 

Describe what someone who observes each car’s movement would see in each case.

a.   

b.   

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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References

Illustrative Mathematics Distance

Distance, accessed on Oct. 27, 2017, 10:54 a.m., is licensed by Illustrative Mathematics under either the CC BY 4.0 or CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. For further information, contact Illustrative Mathematics.

Problem 3

Antonio and Juan are in a 4-mile bike race. The graph below shows the distance of each racer (in miles) as a function of time (in minutes).

a.   Who wins the race? How do you know?

b.   Imagine you were watching the race and had to announce it over the radio; write a little story describing the race.

Guiding Questions

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Student Response

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References

Illustrative Mathematics Bike Race

Bike Race, accessed on Oct. 27, 2017, 10:55 a.m., is licensed by Illustrative Mathematics under either the CC BY 4.0 or CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. For further information, contact Illustrative Mathematics.

Problem Set

15-20 minutes


Give your students more opportunities to practice the skills in this lesson with a downloadable problem set aligned to the daily objective.

Target Task

5-10 minutes


Problem 1

The graph below shows how the altitude of a flight from Boston to Chicago changes over time. Use the graph to answer the following questions.

a.   Cruising altitude is the sustained, consistent, altitude that planes maintain during flight between take-off and landing. Between what two values of $$x$$ was this flight at cruising altitude?

b.   How long was the plane in the air?

c.   Describe an interval of $$x$$ where the plane’s altitude was decreasing.

d.   Describe an interval of $$x$$ where the plane’s altitude was increasing.

Student Response

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Problem 2

Refer to the graph in Target Task problem 1. Which of the following must be true about the interval between $$x=0$$ and $$x=15$$? Choose all that apply.

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Student Response

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Additional Practice


The following resources include problems and activities aligned to the objective of the lesson that can be used for additional practice or to create your own problem set.

Next

Sketch graphs of functions given qualitative descriptions of the relationship.

Lesson 12
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Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Topic A: Defining Functions

Topic B: Representing and Interpreting Functions

Topic C: Comparing Functions

Topic D: Describing and Drawing Graphs of Functions

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