Lesson Plan Algebra I: Linear Functions

Lesson 5 Title: Solving Linear Functions

Lesson Objective:
At the end of the lesson, students will know how to solve a linear function

Michigan Common Core State Standards Met:

F-IF 3. Recognize that sequences are functions, sometimes defined recursively, whose
domain is a subset of the integers.
F-IF 8. Write a function defined by an expression in different but equivalent forms to reveal
and explain different properties of the function.

Previous Knowledge:
● What is a linear function
● What is slope
● How to graph
● How to read an equation
● Linear Equations
● Difference between a linear and nonlinear function

Materials:
● Pencil/Pen
● Paper
● Solving Linear Functions worksheet

Content:

To begin class they will do a bell ringer that will be written on the board. The bell ringer will be:
1. (⅔)x(⅝)=?
2. To what power is the variable in linear functions?
3. -10x(-45)=
4. What does the f(x) mean in a function? For example, f(x)=4x+7.

We would start this lesson by reviewing what a function is and what the characteristics are. I
would ask for the student to participate in this part and help me talk about all of the
characteristics that have been mentioned previously.

Two ways to solve linear functions: by graphing and algebraically.

Algebraically:
We would first talk about what f(x) means. Similar to their last bell ringer. Mention how f(x)
means a function at some point x and you want to know what the output would be when x is at

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Lesson Plan Algebra I: Linear Functions

a certain value.

Some examples would include:

Linear Functions

Graphing:
When graphing there are two points that need to be found so that it can be graphed. The two
points that we are going to find are the x-intercept (where the line crosses the x-axis) and the
y-intercept (where the line crosses the y-intercept).

To find the x-intercept then you want to set f(x)=0. So let's say we have f(x)=2x+4, we would
write 2x+4=0 then solve for x. Subtract 4 to both sides then divide by 2. We find that x=-2
therefore the x-intercept in (-2,0).

To find the y-intercept then you want to plug 0 in for x, where f(0)=2x+4. That means we
would have 2(0)+4 which equals 4. Therefore the y-intercept is (0,4).

If we graphed it, it would look like:

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Lesson Plan Algebra I: Linear Functions

Graphing linear functions

An example I would have the class do would be f(x)=5x+3. Then they discuss with their pod
mates. If there are different answers then they will talk their thought process out and come to
a conclusion on what is right.

Worksheet: They will work on this worksheet with their partner.

Worksheet

Before class is over, we will go over the worksheet as a class and clear up any

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Lesson Plan Algebra I: Linear Functions

misconceptions.

Assessment:
Formative: there will be in a quiz after the next lesson that will cover this information as well
as the previous lesson.
Summative: information and topics from this lesson will be on a unit test that they take at the
end of the whole unit.