04/05/2023, 07:41 Algebra I

Work Collaboratively

How much do you share on social media? Do you have accounts linked to your computer, phone, and
tablet? The average teen spends around 5 hours per day online, and checks his or her social media
account about 10 times each day.

When an image or post is shared publicly, some students are surprised at how quickly their information
travels across the internet. The scary part is that nothing online is really private. All it takes is one friend
sharing your photo or updates with the public to create a very public viral trend.

For this project, you will use what you have learned about exponential functions to study what happens
if a social media post is shared publicly.

Social Sharing
You and your partner will each study two student scenarios to see how social media spreads. Four
student scenarios are described in the table below. Work together with your partner to decide who will
study which two students:

Student Henry Isabelle Javier Kendra

Description Henry shared his Isabelle shared her photo Javier shared his Kendra shared
video with 4 with 51 followers. Each of post with 4 friends, her photo with 11
friends. His friends them shared it with 2 who each shared it friends, who each
continued to share friends, doubling the with 4 more shared it with 3
it, doubling the number of viewers each friends. They friends. This
number of viewers day. continued sharing pattern continued.
each day. at the same rate.

Social f(x) = 4(2)x Day Viewers Javier shared his f(x) = 11(3)x
Media post with 4 friends,
Shares 0 51 who each shared it
with 4 more
1 102
friends. They
2 204 continued sharing
at the same rate.

1. State which two students you are studying so your instructor knows for whom each partner is
responsible.
2. Provide an exponential function representing Isabelle's social media shares.
3. Provide an exponential function representing Javier's social media shares.
4. Graph the exponential functions for all four students. If possible, place them all on 1 graph. If not,
be sure to work with your partner so you have access to all graphs. Be sure to label each curve.
You may graph your equation by hand on a piece of paper and scan your work, or you may use
graphing technology.
5. Using the functions for each student, predict how many shares each student's post will be
received on Day 3 and then on Day 10. Justify your answers.
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04/05/2023, 07:41 Algebra I

6. Based on your results, which student's post travels the fastest? How is this shown in the equation
form of the functions?
7. If Henry decides to mail copies of his video to the 45 residents of his grandmother's assisted
living facility, the new function representing his video is f(x) = 4(2)x + 45. How does this graph
compare with the original graph of Henry's video share?
8. If you had to choose, would you prefer a post with fewer friends initially but more shares or more
friends initially but fewer shares? Does your partner agree or disagree? Can you think of reasons
why more or fewer shares are preferable? Justify your answer with your calculations from
previous questions.

Graphing Exponential Functions—Option 2 Rubric

Possible Student
Requirement Points Points

Student provides a correct exponential function for Isabelle's scenario. 2  

Student provides a correct exponential function for Javier's scenario. 2  

Graph is complete and accurate, and all four student graphs are shown 6  
and labeled.

All four predictions are correct for Day 3 and Day 10. 4  

Student explains correctly which post travels fastest and provides 2  

justification.

Student explains correctly how the new graph compares with the 2  
original.

Student provides complete discussion on which option he or she prefers 2  

and justifies his or her answer mathematically.

 Print

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