Common Core: High School - Functions : Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential Models*

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: High School - Functions

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

All Common Core: High School - Functions Resources

6 Diagnostic Tests 82 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #281 : High School: Functions

Determine whether the situation describes a linear or exponential function.

Johnny is  months older than Jane.

Possible Answers:

Johnny is  months older than Jane is an exponential function.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is a linear function.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is both a linear and exponential function.

More information is needed.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is neither a linear nor exponential function.

Correct answer:

Johnny is  months older than Jane is a linear function.

Explanation:

This question is testing one's ability to identify and prove whether situations and their functions are linear or exponential. The key concept in questions like these, is understanding and recognizing that linear functions grow by equal differences over intervals, where as exponential functions grow by equal factors over intervals.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, proving that linear functions grow by difference and exponential functions grow by factors, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Examine the statement.

   I. Identify if it is increase/decreasing by a constant or by a percentage that is dependent on another value in the statement.

      Statement: Johnny is  months older than Jane. In this particular case Johnny's age can be written as a function of Jane's age. Since Johnny is  months older than Jane this is a constant difference. In other words, as the years go on, Johnny's age increase but so does Jane's therefore, Johnny remains  months older than Jane across all time intervals.

   II. Conclude whether the statement is linear or exponential.

      Since the increase is by a constant, statement two is a linear function.

Step 3: Answer the question.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is a linear function.

Recall that for a statement to be linear it must show growth of a constant difference. This means that the output has the same difference for each one increase to the input value. For a statement to be exponential, it must show growth by a common factor.

Example Question #282 : High School: Functions

Determine whether the situation describes a linear or exponential function.

Johnny is  months older than Jane.

Possible Answers:

Johnny is  months older than Jane is an exponential function.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is neither a linear nor exponential function.

More information is needed.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is both a linear and exponential function.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is a linear function.

Correct answer:

Johnny is  months older than Jane is a linear function.

Explanation:

This question is testing one's ability to identify and prove whether situations and their functions are linear or exponential. The key concept in questions like these, is understanding and recognizing that linear functions grow by equal differences over intervals, where as exponential functions grow by equal factors over intervals.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, proving that linear functions grow by difference and exponential functions grow by factors, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Examine the statement.

   I. Identify if it is increase/decreasing by a constant or by a percentage that is dependent on another value in the statement.

      Statement: Johnny is  months older than Jane. In this particular case Johnny's age can be written as a function of Jane's age. Since Johnny is  months older than Jane this is a constant difference. In other words, as the years go on, Johnny's age increase but so does Jane's therefore, Johnny remains  months older than Jane across all time intervals.

   II. Conclude whether the statement is linear or exponential.

      Since the increase is by a constant, statement two is a linear function.

Step 3: Answer the question.

Johnny is  months older than Jane is a linear function.

Recall that for a statement to be linear it must show growth of a constant difference. This means that the output has the same difference for each one increase to the input value. For a statement to be exponential, it must show growth by a common factor.

Example Question #1 : Constant Rate Of Change: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsf Le.A.1b

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of days as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in days

Example Question #1 : Constant Rate Of Change: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsf Le.A.1b

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of days as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in days

Example Question #3 : Constant Rate Of Change: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsf Le.A.1b

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of minutes as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in minutes

Example Question #4 : Constant Rate Of Change: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsf Le.A.1b

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of minutes as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in minutes

Example Question #5 : Constant Rate Of Change: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsf Le.A.1b

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of days as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in days

Example Question #291 : High School: Functions

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of minutes as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in minutes

Example Question #7 : Constant Rate Of Change: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsf Le.A.1b

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of days as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in days

Example Question #8 : Constant Rate Of Change: Ccss.Math.Content.Hsf Le.A.1b

Certain diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), are caused by prions - misfolded proteins. These prions are irreversibly misfolded and cause subsequent misfolding of healthy proteins when they come into contact with them. Joe ate the meat of a cow with BSE, ingesting  prions, and each prion caused the misfolding of a new protein every  number of hours, is illustrated by the following function.

where  is how many misfolded proteins are present after  hours.

What is the function for ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This question tests one's ability to recognize real life situations where a quantity changes at a constant rate per an interval. It also builds on the concept of converting between units within a function. Questions like this, allow and encourage abstract reasoning and contextualizing.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, recognizing situations where one quantity changes at a constant rate per interval relative to another, falls within the Cluster A of construct and compare linear, quadratic, and exponential model and solve problems concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF.LE.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify what the question is asking for.

This particular question is asking for the function when  is in terms of minutes as opposed to the given function which has  in hours.

Step 2: Identify the conversion factor.

The conversion factor will be from hours to days.

So if 

 

then

Step 3: Manipulate the original function to get new function.

Given the original function: 

Let  represent time in minutes

All Common Core: High School - Functions Resources

6 Diagnostic Tests 82 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors