Viewing Online On Ground Online sections — 7 topics, discussion questions, one cumulative final In-person sections — 3 units, Exams 1–3, then the final
Course format
Topic 01 · Linear Functions
Unit 1 · Topic 01 · Linear Functions

Linear Functions and Problem Solving

Functions, slope, and linear modeling — plus the Excel moves (formulas, cell references, basic graphs) you'll lean on the rest of the term.

Start Lesson 1 Play all 21 videos First time? Tour the week →
ORBITAL · TOPIC 01LINEARFUNCTIONS21 VIDEOS · 1H 11M0

Lessons

6 lessons · each with a video, a worked example and practice
  1. 3:27 Lesson 1: What is a function?A function is one of the simplest, most useful ideas in math, and you've been using them your whole life without knowing the name.
  2. 3:09 Lesson 2: Two ways to reasonEvery problem you solve uses one of two reasoning moves. Knowing which is which makes you a sharper thinker, in math, and in everything else.
  3. 3:13 Lesson 3: Close enoughRounding makes hard numbers easy. Estimation strings them together to predict, and protect you from, every total you'll ever calculate.
  4. 3:01 Lesson 4: Slope as a rate of changeEvery "per" you've ever said (dollars per hour, miles per gallon, feet per second) is a slope. It's how mathematicians measure change.
  5. 3:02 Lesson 5: Linear modeling and predictionA linear model is just slope plus a starting point. It's everything you've learned in this topic, packed into a single line of math, and it's how a number becomes a forecast.
  6. 3:18 Lesson 6: Spreadsheets, the finaleYou learned the math. Now learn to automate it. A spreadsheet is just a giant grid of functions, and you already know how to write functions.

Then

the rest of the week
Discussion DQ 1: Discussion Walkthrough, posting rhythm, and what the DQ is really asking. Discussion DQ 2: Discussion Walkthrough, posting rhythm, and what the DQ is really asking. 6 questions Review Six worked questions to practice before ALEKS. Self-check Mastery Check 4 quick questions - 2 multiple choice, 2 calculations. Perfect score earns one substantive participation post.
Unit 1 This topic is assessed on Exam 1, together with Topic 2. See what is on it

What you'll learn

80 pts 160 pts in Unit 1 6 objectives

What you'll learn

  1. Explore the basics of functions and their uses.
  2. Use spreadsheet applications: functions, cell references, and basic graphing.
  3. Use rounding and estimation to solve application problems.
  4. Apply deductive and inductive reasoning to solve problems.
  5. Define the slope as a rate of change.
  6. Use linear modeling to predict outcomes from data.

Interactive tools

Playground Interactive Line Graph Explorer Slide m and b, flip between slope-intercept / standard / point-slope, and sharpen with four skill-check games. Playground Excel Fundamentals A hands-on primer on cell references, absolute vs. relative addressing, and the basic formulas every MAT-144 workbook leans on.

Tools & Resources

Library Topic 1 resource library Curated extras across all 6 lessons. 2 items available so far. Study aid Glossary Every vocab term across the 6 lessons in one study sheet. 39 terms so far. Study aid Cheat sheet Key formulas, common mistakes, and quick-reference factors. Printable for the test.
Topic 2 → Conversions and Financial Literacy – Budgeting