Function Machine

Find the relationship between the input and output.

http://www.mathplayground.com/functionmachine.htmlReviewed by Adrianne and Laleh.

How the applet works…

. Choose one of the options:

You decide the input.

Computer decides the input.

When the number chosen goes through the function machine, it gives you an output.

After doing this twice then the game asks you to find the function and enter it.

Click the “main screen” button and it will give you two options of beginner and advanced, which further will provide more challenging relationships between input and output.

AnalysisStrengths Weaknesses

Strengths Weaknesses

Evaluation of AppletBased on criteria on pages 120-121 this applet rates well.

- The game provides unlimited number and more challenging relationships in functions. It

- The applets' frills are minimal.

- The program is easy to use and engaging.

- Through many practices the students will find out what a function is. This program may not provide conceptual understanding for all students.

- Levels of difficulty can be controlled, but the results are not being stored in the program and there is no sound control.

- There is a manual available at the right hand corner for instructions.

- The program is equitable in its consideration of gender and culture.

- Most computers have softwares that support this game.

- This program will run on most systems.

A Problem-Based TaskTask: * There are 12 girls in a classroom. The number of boys is 3 times the number of girls. How many boys are there in the classroom? Record all approaches on the paper. (The students challenge is to know which one is input and how to write the relationship for these values. )

Connection to the standards and/or big ideas:

* 4.OA.5. Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself. For example, given the rule “Add 3” and the starting number 1, generate terms in the resulting sequence and observe that the terms appear to alternate between odd and even numbers. Explain informally why the numbers will continue to alternate in this way.

* Big Idea: Functions in k-8 mathematics describe in concrete ways the notion that for every input there is a unique output.

Questions to Ask to Assess and Advance Student Thinking

Launch (Task Set-Up): After understanding the function and what is the role of input, relationships, and output, the students may practice more on these concept by using bigger numbers as input, and choose a harder level. They also can explore if a certain sets of input and output can have only one relationship or more than one?

Explore (During Task Implementation):

Since each student figured the relationship by himself, they must be able to explain their thought process to their partners. How did they come up with that particular relationship between input and output?

Summarize (As students share findings, strategies, reasoning, etc.):

In finding the relationships, what strategies worked best for you?

Can you think of a word problem that uses function to solve a situation out of school setting?