M102
Modeling with Linear Functions and Equations
About This Badge
Which cell phone plan holds the best value for me? How do I keep track of my costs if I want to start a t-shirt business? Modeling with functions is a powerful way to gain insight into the world around us. Nature, society, business, and everyday life are full of situations in which a certain quantity depends on other measurable quantities. Function models enable us to describe, analyze, optimize, and predict what could happen in these situations. Meanwhile, equation models allow us to express real-world constraints in mathematical language. Solving the equations gives us new and useful information about the situation. In M102 Modeling with Linear Functions and Equations, you will create function models in situations where changes in one quantity are assumed to be proportional to changes in another quantity. You will solve problems and interpret models to gain insight into situations involving a constant rate, such as the startup cost for a business, constant speed, uniform density, and many others. You will also create linear equations to model constraints in real-world problems, such as problems involving finite resources, spatial constraints, manufacturing specifications, or other conditions that must be satisfied. As you learn linear modeling, you will reason quantitatively using the relationships between the parts of a linear function model and the situation it describes. You will use technology as a tool to solve linear equations and to understand how the graphs of linear functions relate to their constituent parts. The work for this badge builds a foundation for the future study of topics such as quadratic and exponential function models. Modeling with linear functions and equations is useful for careers in a variety of fields, like science, engineering, medicine, business, and artificial intelligence.
Suggested prerequisites for this badge: comfort with solving simple equations and problems involving proportional relationships.
This badge may be offered concurrently with M101.
This badge is suggested as a prerequisite for: M103 Modeling with Functions of Quadratic Type; M104 Modeling with Functions of Exponential Type.
XQ has developed a project-based unit aligned to Badge 102 as a part of the XQ Math Algebra 1 course. Find a teacher guide, content overview, and project overview for _Module 3 - In The Zone_ under Learning Principles and Learning Activities, below. You can access the full folder of module materials HERE.