The study of functions, equations, and their relationship is central to all of mathematics. Students use functions, equations, and limits as useful tools for expressing generalizations and as means for analyzing and understanding a broad variety of mathematical relationships. Symbolic representation and symbolic reasoning are tools that can be used to represent and connect ideas in geometry, probability, statistics, trigonometry, and calculus. Students perceive the connections among various branches of mathematics through functions in order to model real-world situations. Techniques for working with representations of functions and equations are essential in understanding underlying relationships.
Many processes underlie all content areas in mathematics.