Lesson 1: Words and Formulas

How do we translate between function formulas and function discerptions?

Formula
Function

MBA 3A. Explain the concept of a function and use function notation.

Lesson Description: This lesson focuses on mathematical literacy—the ability to "read" an equation like a sentence. Students will learn to break down a symbolic rule into its narrative components. Key skills include: Identifying Operations: Translating symbols like + into "increased by" or "sum," and coefficients into "rates" or "multipliers."

Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is to ensure deep conceptual understanding. Anyone can memorize a formula, but true mastery involves being able to explain that formula to someone else. This is a vital workplace skill—whether a nurse is explaining a dosage formula to a patient or a technician is explaining a load-bearing calculation to a client. By translating symbols back into words, students prove they understand the relationship between the variables, not just the mechanics of the math.

DOK Level 2
Level 2 (Skill/Concept): Converting a basic symbolic expression into a standard verbal phrase (e.g., 2x + 5 becomes "five more than twice a number").

Writing and interpreting the formulas for geometry areas and volumes
Writing and interpreting the formulas for distance v speed and accelerating

Class and online work

Use "you try" pg 180 and practice problems to assess students' understanding of the lesson concepts