Lesson 12

In the associated Algebra 1 lesson, students examine how the parameters \(a\) and \(b\) in a function of the form \(a \boldcdot b^x\) influence its graph. In order to engage with the lesson, students need to recall that \(a\) is the value the function takes at 0 and \(b\) is its growth factor. To prepare for this, in this support lesson, students have opportunities to recall the significance of given parameters in specific linear and exponential functions. They do this through constructing tables for functions defined with a given expression, and then using technology to graph each function and explain where they can see the parameters in the graph. Finally, they create new functions by making strategic modifications to the functions they have been working with. In order to do this, they need to understand how the given functions relate to the context and to their graphs, which is an example of reasoning abstractly and quantitatively (MP2).