14 pages. This 'Practice' set contains two standards-based problems to enhance students' problem solving skills: a bank account comparison and a plant growth comparison.

This lesson is part of a series of problems I created that are focused around graphing linear functions and the use of new tools (tables, graphs, equations) to solve problems in context. Students use multiple methods to explore functions and multi-step equations (in one variable). Underneath the rich content is an important lesson about presentation: a solution to a problem illustrates, generalizes, communicates, and verifies the results. An answer is just a number. Which is better?

This unit is designed to be used after students have a basic understanding of how to solve one-variable equations (including those with variables on both sides). They should also have prior knowledge of coordinate graphing and the concept of functions (but not necessarily function notation). For me, this was chapter three in my Algebra 1 course.

If you are new to performance tasks, the introductory lesson makes a wonderful introduction to method and procedure (available for free). Combine these with the performance task assessment for a complete unit on standards-based problem solving.

Also included in this unit is a cover page with essential questions, common core standards alignment, student objectives, and teacher notes. Teacher answer keys are also provided.

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