Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
Algebra 1

Different Kinds of Functions

Algebra 1Different Kinds of Functions

Different Kinds of Functions

Different Kinds of Functions

In this activity, whenever you see 💬, stop and share your responses with your partner. If you have different responses, try to come to a consensus.

For questions 1 – 3, use the following instructions.

Use the simulation screen labeled “Numbers”. Note you can switch between simulation screens using the toolbar located below the function builder.

1. Build a function. Fill in the function builder and table. Access the input and output information by clicking the gray tabs above and below the function builder.

2. What is the output when the input is 10? Switch papers with a teammate and check that you found the correct output. 💬

3. Describe how to find the output for your function if given any input. Challenge yourself to describe in multiple ways.

For questions 4 – 8, use the following instructions.

Use the simulation screen labeled “Equations”. Note you can switch between simulation screens using the toolbar located below the function builder.

4. Build a custom function. Fill in the function builder and representations. Access the table and graph information by clicking the gray tabs above and below the function builder.

5. What is y when x is 100?

6. Manipulate your function in different ways. Describe the effects on the table, graph, and equation that each of your actions has.

Action Effect on table Effect on graph Effect on equation
Click the up arrow on the addition operation      
     
     
     

7. What does your graph look like? What other graphs can you make?

8. Briefly describe how different operations impact the graph of your function.

  1. Addition
  2. Subtraction
  3. Multiplication
  4. Division

Extension

Play with the game! Challenge yourself to figure out the mystery functions. They get tricky when you have two or three operations. Does your rule match the simulation's rule? Can there be more than one answer?

Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Apr 23, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.