Exponentials Lesson 4 (Teachers)

Exploring the Equations for Other Magical Beanstalks

The students explore the growth of new magical beanstalks. While all the beanstalks are similar in that they grow by a consistent factor each day, the factors they grow by are different and their heights on Day 0 are not always 1 cm. Josh and Arobindo explore how these changes affect the equations that model their growth.  

Episode 1: Making Sense

The students use the timeline they made in the last lesson to determine the height of the beanstalk on Day 12.

Episode 2: Exploring

Arobindo and Josh create a timeline for a new magical beanstalk. This beanstalk’s height also increases by a factor of 3 each day, but it starts with a height of 2 cm on Day 0 instead of 1 cm. The students use their timeline to create an expression that represents the height of this new beanstalk on Day 12.

Episode 3: Repeating Your Reasoning 

Josh and Arobindo use their new timeline to create an expression that represents the height of the new beanstalk on Day 100.

Episode 4: Repeating Your Reasoning

The students use their timeline to create an equation that gives the height of the new beanstalk on any day.  

Episode 5: Reflecting

Josh and Arobindo are given an equation that models the growth of a magical beanstalk. They explain how the beanstalk is growing.

Episode 6: Reflecting

Arobindo and Josh are given equations that model the growth of magical beanstalks. They use these equations to compare and contrast how the beanstalks are growing.


Mathematics in this Lesson

Targeted Understandings

This lesson can help students:

Common Core Math Standards

Common Core Math Practices