How can a function enhance interpretation of change?

Students investigate functions to enhance understanding of change.

A variable can be interpreted as the values of a changing quantity.

A function can involve quantities that change over time, such as

• height of a person or plant

• temperature

• distance travelled

A table of values lists the values of the independent variable in the first column or row and the values of the dependent variable in the second column or row to represent a function at certain points.

The values of the independent variable are represented by x-coordinates in the Cartesian plane.

The values of the dependent variable are represented by y-coordinates in the Cartesian plane.

A function is a correspondence between two changing quantities represented by independent and dependent variables.

Each value of the independent variable in a function corresponds to exactly one value of the dependent variable.