Equations from tables

The  exercise appears under the Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise recognizes linear relationships from T-tables.

Types of Problems
There are two types of problems in this exercise:


 * 1) Calculate the values: This problem provides a table with several missing values. The student is asked to fill in the table with the missing values which are outputs of the function for particular inputs.Eft1.png
 * 2) Find the function: This problem provides a table with several filled in values. The student is asked to find the equation that accurately describes the relationship and select it from a multiple choice list.Eft2.png

Strategies
Knowledge of the process for finding the equation of a line would help on this exercise, but an ability to plug values in is all that is necessary.
 * 1) It can be faster to just plug inputs into the function when performing the first type of problem.
 * 2) Calculating the slope quickly can help to find the equation in the second type of problem.
 * 3) If a function is going to work in general, it has to work in specific cases. There is not shame in plugging in numbers to work more quickly.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) Lines (specifically tangent lines) can be used to approximate even the most complicated curves.