8th grade · Math · Unit 14 of 17
Functions
One input, one output
What your child practices
Deciding whether a relation is a function, comparing two functions shown in different ways, spotting linear functions, and matching a graph to a story.
Oregon State Standards learning standard: 8.AFN.A.1; 8.AFN.A.2; 8.AFN.A.3; 8.AFN.B.5 · functions as one output for each input, comparing functions, linear functions, and describing graphs in words
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- A function gives each input exactly one output.
- A repeated x with two different y-values is not a function.
- A linear function has a constant rate of change: y = mx + b.
Example: Is {(1, 4), (2, 5), (1, 6)} a function? The input 1 has two outputs, 4 and 6. Answer: No
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
The graph rises steadily, then stays flat, then falls back to zero. Which situation fits best?
- A plant that grows faster and faster
- A bath filling up and never draining
- A bike ride away from home, a rest, then the ride back home
- A car that never stops moving
A bike ride away from home, a rest, then the ride back home
Hint: Read the graph left to right: going up means increasing, flat means not changing, going down means decreasing.
Question 2
Function A is y = 4x. Function B is shown in the table. Which has the greater rate of change?
Function B x y 0 5 1 10 2 15 - Function A
- Function B
- They are the same
Function B
Hint: A's rate is 4. B's rate is how much y goes up each time x goes up 1.
Question 3
Is this relation a function?
x y 1 -1 2 -2 3 9 5 6 - Yes, each input has exactly one output
- No, one input has two different outputs
Yes, each input has exactly one output
Hint: A function gives each input (x) exactly one output (y). Look for a repeated x with different y-values.
Question 4
Which equation is a linear function?
- y = 7 − x
- y = 1/x
- y = x²
- y = x² − 3
y = 7 − x
Hint: A linear function has the form y = mx + b: x is not squared, cubed, an exponent or under a fraction bar.
Question 5
The rule is y = x + 4. What is the output when the input is −2?
answer box
2
Hint: Replace x with −2: 1 × (−2) + 4.
Question 6
The rule is y = x + 5. What is the output when the input is 2?
answer box
7
Hint: Replace x with 2: 1 × 2 + 5.