Building Formulas
·
Reviews recursive
and direct formulas to represent visual, geometric patterns. Arrow strings, representing a pattern, are
used to stress the importance of the order of operations.
·
Students extend
and analyze rows of patterns. At first,
a string of letters is used to describe the repeating part of the pattern. Later, direct formulas are used. Students determine patterns from a direct
formula without parentheses.
·
Student use
formulas representing linear relationships while investigating real-life
situations. The relationship between
temperatures measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit is explored using a
formula for the conversion, a table, and a graph. The relationship between the rise and tread
of stairs is studied while using constraints for the rise and the tread.
·
Students apply
formulas they have learned in different units.
Area, volume, square roots, and squares are some of them. 
·
Students use
knowledge about formulas to investigate a variety of real life problems. They use and investigate a formula that
describes the relationship between air temperature and cricket chirps. They have to be able to generate and use a
table of values and a graph. They find
their normal heart rate by measuring pulse rate and age. Then they try to find a formula to describe
this relationship. They also investigate
an archaeological formula for reconstructing damaged Egyptian drawings. These formulas are based on the relationships
among the heights of various parts of the body.