Chapter 13: Activities and Lessons

Activity Name Activity Description
Slope Slider This activity allows the manipulation of a linear function of the form f(x)=mx+b and encourages the user to explore the relationship between slope and intercept in the Cartesian coordinate system.
Simple Plot Students can plot ordered pairs of numbers, either as a scatter plot or with the dots connected.
Graph Sketcher Students can create graphs of functions by entering formulas -- similar to a graphing calculator.
Graphit Students can graph functions and sets of ordered pairs on the same coordinate plane -- similar to a graphing calculator.
Function Machine Students investigate very simple functions by trying to guess the algebraic form from inputs and outputs.
Linear Function Machine Students investigate linear functions by trying to guess the slope and intercept from inputs and outputs.
Positive Linear Function Machine Students investigate linear functions with positive slopes by trying to guess the slope and intercept from inputs and outputs.
TransmoGrapher Students explore the world of translations, reflections, and rotations in the Cartesian coordinate system by transforming squares, triangles and parallelograms. Parameters: Shape, x or y translation, x or y reflection, angle of rotation.

Lesson Name Lesson Description
Introduction to Functions Introduces the basic concept of an algebraic function.
Introduction to Linear Functions Introduces the basic concepts and definitions of linear functions.
Graphing and the Coordinate Plane Introduces the basic concepts of graphing.
Graphs and Functions Demonstrates the connections between formulas and graphs.
Functions and the Vertical Line Test Introduces students to the vertical line test for graphs of functions.
The Mandelbrot Set Introduces all of the 2 variable function and prisoner/escapee notions necessary to understand the Mandelbrot set.