Real-World Modeling Capstone
📋 What it is
Model a real situation with a function, then use it to predict.
🗣️ Coach says
The capstone: turn a real situation into a function, then use it to predict. "A plant grows 2 cm a week" becomes h = 2w, and now you can predict any week's height. Modeling is functions doing real work.
🧠 Memory hook
Real situation → a function → a prediction. The rule lets you see the future of the pattern.
😂 Giggle
What did the slope say to the y-intercept?
"I determine the direction, but you're where it all starts!"
😲 Whoa!
Weather models are giant functions: today's conditions go in, tomorrow's forecast comes out.
✅ Quick check: A candle burns 1 cm per hour from 10 cm. Write a function for its height h after t hours.
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
h = 10 − t.
It starts at 10 and drops 1 cm each hour, so subtract t.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Model your savings: "$5 a week from $0" as a function, then predict week 6.