Lesson 1: Function Notation
Module 6: Linear Equations
Lesson 1 Summary
In this lesson you investigated the following questions:
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How do you sketch the graph of a linear function expressed in function notation?
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Why are different types of notation used in mathematics?
At the beginning of this lesson, you were introduced to a new way of expressing functions called function notation. Like other forms of notation used in mathematics, function notation uses an arrangement of symbols to indicate a process. You learned that f(x) replaces y in a linear equation and that function notation is reserved only for functions. You learned that f(x) does not mean “f times x”, but is read as “f of x” or “f at x.” You learned that function notation can be used as an efficient way of defining points on a graph. In the Reflect and Connect section of the lesson, you explored standards of mathematical notation. You may have learned that mathematical notation makes a concept easier to describe and understand.
In this lesson you learned that sketching a line expressed in function notation is exactly the same as sketching a line expressed in standard notation. The benefit of using function notation is that it is more efficient. With function notation, for example, you can say “plot f(2)” instead of “plot the point with x-coordinate equal to 2.”
In the remainder of this module you will see function notation used to express the equations of linear functions. Function notation will be particularly helpful in the last lesson where you will assign meaningful letters to functions in problem-solving contexts. You will continue to use function notation in your future math courses.