Patterns and Linear Functions

Section 4-2
 Goals
Goal
• To identify and represent
patterns that describe linear
functions.
 Vocabulary
• Dependent Variable
• Independent Variable
• Input
• Output
• Function
• Linear Function
 Definition
• Dependent Variable – A variable whose value
depends on some other value.
– Generally, y is used for the dependent variable.
• Independent Variable – A variable that doesn’t
depend on any other value.
– Generally, x is used for the independent variable.
• The value of the dependent variable depends on
the value of the independent variable.
 Independent and
Dependent Variables
On a graph;
the independent y
variable is on
the horizontal
or x-axis.
the dependent
dependent
variable is on
the vertical
or y-axis. x

independent
 Example:
Identify the independent and dependent variables
in the situation.
A painter must measure a room before deciding how much paint
to buy.
The amount of paint depends on the measurement of a room.

Dependent: amount of paint

Independent: measurement of the room
 Example:
Identify the independent and dependent variables
in the situation.

The height of a candle decrease d centimeters for every hour it

burns.
The height of a candle depends on the number of hours it burns.

Dependent: height of candle

Independent: time
 Example:
Identify the independent and dependent variables
in the situation.
A veterinarian must weight an animal before determining the
amount of medication.

The amount of medication depends on the weight of an

animal.

Dependent: amount of medication

Independent: weight of animal
 Your Turn:
Identify the independent and dependent variable in the
situation.
A company charges $10 per hour to rent a jackhammer.

The cost to rent a jackhammer depends on the length of

time it is rented.

Dependent variable: cost

Independent variable: time
 Your Turn:
Identify the independent and dependent variable in the
situation.

Camryn buys p pounds of apples at $0.99 per pound.

The cost of apples depends on the number of pounds

bought.
Dependent variable: cost
Independent variable: pounds
 Example: Representing a
Geometric Relationship
In the diagram below, what is the relationship between the
number of rectangles and the perimeter of the figure they form?
Represent this relationship using a table, words, an equation, and
a graph.
 Example: Representing a
Geometric Relationship

Step 1
Make a table. Use the number of rectangles as the independent
variable (x) and the perimeter as the dependent variable (y).

x y
1 14
Perimeter = 2(length) + 2(width)
2 16
3 18
4 20
 Example: Representing a
Geometric Relationship

Step 2
Look for a pattern in the table. How did you calculate the
perimeter (y), given the number of rectangles (x)? Then
describe the pattern in words.
Perimeter = 2(length) + 2(width) Words: Multiply the number of
rectangles in each figure by 2 to get
Number of Perimeter, y
Rectangles, x the total length of the top and bottom
sides of the combined figure. Then
1 2(1) + 2(6) =14 add 2(6), or 12, for the total length of
2 2(2) + 2(6) = 16 the left and right sides of the
combined figure to get the entire
3 2(3) + 2(6) = 18
perimeter.
4 2(4) + 2(6) = 20
 Example: Representing a
Geometric Relationship

Step 3
From the pattern in the table write an equation to represent the
relationship between x and y.
Number of Perimeter, y
Rectangles, x Equation: y = 2x + 12
1 2(1) + 2(6) =14
2 2(2) + 2(6) = 16
3 2(3) + 2(6) = 18
4 2(4) + 2(6) = 20
Constant
x y
 Example: Representing a
Geometric Relationship

Step 4
Use the table to make a graph.

x y Ordered Pair
(x, y)
1 14 (1, 14)
2 16 (2, 16)
With a graph, you can see a pattern
3 18 (3, 18) formed by the relationship between
4 20 (4, 20) the number of rectangles and the
perimeter of the figure.
 Your Turn:

In the diagram below, what is the relationship between the

number of triangles and the perimeter of the figure they form?
Represent the relationship using (1) a table, (2) words, (3) an
equation, and (4) a graph.
 Answer:
1)

2) Multiply the number of triangles by 4 and add 6.

3) y = 4x + 6
4)
 Definition
• Input – Values of the independent variable.
– x – values
– The input is the value substituted into an equation.
• Output – Values of the dependent variable.
– y – values.
– The output is the result of that substitution in an
equation.
 Function
• In the last 2 problems you can describe the
relationship by saying that the perimeter
(dependent variable – y value) is a function
of the number of figures (independent
variable – x value).
• A function is a relationship that pairs each
input value with exactly one output value.
 Function

You can think of a function as input

an input-output machine. x2

function
y = 5x

30
output
Helpful Hint

There are several different ways to describe the

variables of a function.
Independent Dependent
Variable Variable
x-values y-values

Input Output

Domain Range

x f(x)
A function is a set of ordered pairs (x, y) so that
each x-value corresponds to exactly one y-value.
Function Rule

Output Input
variable variable
Some functions can be described by a rule written in words, such
as “double a number and then add nine to the result,” or by an
equation with two variables. One variable (x) represents the input,
and the other variable (y) represents the output.
 Linear Function
• Another method of representing a function is with
a graph.

• A linear function is a function whose graph is a

nonvertical line or part of a nonvertical line.
 Example: Representing a Linear Function
A DVD buyers club charges a $20 membership fee and
$15 per DVD purchased. The table below represents
this situation.
Number of DVDs
purchased
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
Total cost ($) y 20 35 50 65 80 95

+15 +15 +15 +15 +15

Find the first differences for the total cost.

constant
Since the data shows a ___________ linear
difference the pattern is __________.
If a pattern is linear then its graph is a straight _________.
line
Number of DVDs
purchased
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
Total cost ($)
y 20 35 50 65 80 95

The equation y = 15x + 20 represents this situation.

This is called a linear
80 • equation.
70
Constant difference
60 per DVD
• Membership fee
(x = 0)
or price
50 •
40
30
•
•
20
10

1 2 3 4 5
Your Turn: The costs associated with being a member
of a CD Club are presented in the table below.

Find the first differences and write an equation to represent the

data pattern.

Number of CDs
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
purchased
Total cost ($) y 26 39 52 65 78 91

+13 +13 +13 +13 +13

$13
The club charges _________ per CD.
$26
The cost for 0 CDs is ____________.
$26
Therefore, the club membership (initial cost) must be _________.
y = 13x + 26
 Your Turn:

The table shows the costs associated with being a member

of a DVD club that charges a membership fee. Write an
equation to represent the pattern in the data.

Number of DVDs
x 0 1 2 3 4 5
purchased

Total cost ($) y 21 31 41 51 61 71

y = 10 x + 21
+10
 Your Turn:
The table shows the amount of
water y in a tank after x minutes
of being drained.
1. Is the relationship function?
2. Describe the relationship using
words.
3. Write an equation for the
relationship.

1. The relationship is a function.

2. The amount of water in gallons left in the tank is 440 minus 12 times the
number of minutes.
3. y = 440 – 12x
 Joke Time
• Why did the pilgrims' pants always fall down?
• Because their belts were on their hats.

• What kind of birds flock together?

• Vel-crows.

• What is the difference between a freshman and a

cell phone.
• You can put a cell phone on silent.