describing graphs

I've sent you an email with a copy of the notes given here on the first four problems. You may have responded to that message; or you may respond to this document.

You don't seem to be in bad shape to start this course. You do need to address questions and problems in a little more detail, but at this point I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to do that.

I'm trying to familiarize myself with your working style, and I want to start by helping you break down and analyze these problems and their solutions.

Here are copies of the first four problems from the Describing Graphs questions. I've chosen them because they are key questions and you have correctly answered the earlier questions, but might not have completely addressed the solutions in the last two completely enough build the understanding required by subsequent problems.

See my note on question 2, where your answer was not completely wrong (in fact, nothing you said was wrong, except when you said that you were completely wrong).

I've broken the given solutions for questions 3 and 4 into numbered steps. See if you can address each numbered statement separately, one at a time, and tell me specifically what you do and do not understand about the statement.

`q001. You will frequently need to describe the graphs you have constructed in this course. This exercise is designed to get you used to some of the

terminology we use to describe graphs. Please complete this exercise and email your work to the instructor. Note that you should do these graphs on paper

without using a calculator. None of the arithmetic involved here should require a calculator, and you should not require the graphing capabilities of your

calculator to answer these questions.

Problem 1. We make a table for y = 2x + 7 as follows: We construct two columns, and label the first column 'x' and the second 'y'. Put the numbers -3, -2,

-1, -, 1, 2, 3 in the 'x' column. We substitute -3 into the expression and get y = 2(-3) + 7 = 1. We substitute -2 and get y = 2(-2) + 7 = 3. Substituting the

remaining numbers we get y values 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. These numbers go into the second column, each next to the x value from which it was obtained. We

then graph these points on a set of x-y coordinate axes. Noting that these points lie on a straight line, we then construct the line through the points.

Now make a table for and graph the function y = 3x - 4.

Identify the intercepts of the graph, i.e., the points where the graph goes through the x and the y axes.

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RESPONSE -->

confidence assessment:

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14:29:48

The graph goes through the x axis when y = 0 and through the y axis when x = 0.

The x-intercept is therefore when 0 = 3x - 4, so 4 = 3x and x = 4/3.

The y-intercept is when y = 3 * 0 - 4 = -4. Thus the x intercept is at (4/3, 0) and the y intercept is at (0, -4).

Your graph should confirm this.

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RESPONSE -->

the x column consisted of -3-,2,-1,1,2,3 and y column consisted of -13,-10,-7,-1,2,5. The graph line started in the lower left at -3/-13 and contiued in a

straight line upwards and to the right

self critique assessment: 3

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14:30:40

`q002. Does the steepness of the graph in the preceding exercise (of the function y = 3x - 4) change? If so describe how it changes.

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RESPONSE -->

line goes from lower left steeply to the upper right

confidence assessment: 3

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14:31:15

The graph forms a straight line with no change in steepness.

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RESPONSE -->

ok - i was totally wrong

self critique assessment: 3

There is nothing inconsistent in this solution with what you said. The line does go from lower left to upper right, and it's pretty steep. However, the steepness doesn't change.

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`q003. What is the slope of the graph of the preceding two exercises (the function ia y = 3x - 4;slope is rise / run between two points of the graph)?

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RESPONSE -->

1

confidence assessment: 3

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14:32:22

Between any two points of the graph rise / run = 3.

For example, when x = 2 we have y = 3 * 2 - 4 = 2 and when x = 8 we have y = 3 * 8 - 4 = 20. Between these points the rise is 20 - 2 = 18 and the run is 8 - 2

= 6 so the slope is rise / run = 18 / 6 = 3.

Note that 3 is the coefficient of x in y = 3x - 4.

Note the following for reference in subsequent problems: The graph of this function is a straight line. The graph increases as we move from left to right. We

therefore say that the graph is increasing, and that it is increasing at constant rate because the steepness of a straight line doesn't change.

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RESPONSE -->

ok

self critique assessment: 0

The given solution can be broken into 9 statements as follows:

For example,

1. when x = 2 we have y = 3 * 2 - 4 = 2

2. when x = 8 we have y = 3 * 8 - 4 = 20.

3. Between these points the rise is 20 - 2 = 18 and

3. the run is 8 - 2 = 6

4. so the slope is rise / run = 18 / 6 = 3.

5. Note that 3 is the coefficient of x in y = 3x - 4.

Note the following for reference in subsequent problems:

6. The graph of this function is a straight line.

7. The graph increases as we move from left to right.

8. We therefore say that the graph is increasing, and

9. that it is increasing at constant rate because the steepness of a straight line doesn't change.

Address each statement separately, one at a time, and tell me specifically what you do and do not understand about the statement.

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14:51:10

`q004. Make a table of y vs. x for y = x^2. Graph y = x^2 between x = 0 and x = 3.

Would you say that the graph is increasing or decreasing?

Does the steepness of the graph change and if so, how?

Would you say that the graph is increasing at an increasing rate, increasing at a constant rate, increasing at a decreasing rate, decreasing at an decreasing rate,

decreasing at a constant rate, or decreasing at a decreasing rate?

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RESPONSE -->

y=0 y=9

confidence assessment: 2

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14:52:12

Graph points include (0,0), (1,1), (2,4) and (3,9). The y values are 0, 1, 4 and 9, which increase as we move from left to right.

The increases between these points are 1, 3 and 5, so the graph not only increases, it increases at an increasing rate

STUDENT QUESTION: I understand increasing...im just not sure at what rate...how do you determine increasing at an increasing rate or a constant rate?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: Does the y value increase by the same amount, by a greater amount or by a lesser amount every time x increases by 1?

In this case the increases get greater and greater. So the graph increases, and at an increasing rate. *&*&.

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1. Graph points include (0,0), (1,1), (2,4) and (3,9).

2. The y values are 0, 1, 4 and 9, which increase as we move from left to right.

3. The increases between these points are 1, 3 and 5,

4. so the graph not only increases, it increases at an increasing rate.

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17:27:43

* `q005. Sketch graphs of y = x^2, y = 1/x and y = `sqrt(x) [note: `sqrt(x) means 'the square root of x'] for x > 0. We say that a graph increases if it gets higher as we move toward the right, and if a graph is increasing it has a positive slope. Explain which of the following descriptions is correct for each graph:

As we move from left to right the graph increases as its slope increases.

As we move from left to right the graph decreases as its slope increases.

As we move from left to right the graph increases as its slope decreases.

As we move from left to right the graph decreases as its slope decreases.

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RESPONSE -->

don't understand the ""language""

self critique assessment: 0

See my above notes and answer my questions, then we'll revisit this one and the next two.

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17:28:32

For x = 1, 2, 3, 4:

The function y = x^2 takes values 1, 4, 9 and 16, increasing more and more for each unit increase in x. This graph therefore increases, as you say, but at an increasing rate.

The function y = 1/x takes values 1, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4, with decimal equivalents 1, .5, .33..., and .25. These values are decreasing, but less and less each time. The decreasing values ensure that the slopes are negative. However, the more gradual the decrease the closer the slope is to zero. The slopes are therefore negative numbers which approach zero.

Negative numbers which approach zero are increasing. So the slopes are increasing, and we say that the graph decreases as the slope increases.

We could also say that the graph decreases but by less and less each time. So the graph is decreasing at a decreasing rate.

For y = `sqrt(x) we get approximate values 1, 1.414, 1.732 and 2. This graph increases but at a decreasing rate.

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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 1

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17:30:06

`q006. If the population of the frogs in your frog pond increased by 10% each month, starting with an initial population of 20 frogs, then how many frogs would you have at the end of each of the first three months (you can count fractional frogs, even if it doesn't appear to you to make sense)? Can you think of a strategy that would allow you to calculate the number of frogs after 300 months (according to this model, which probably wouldn't be valid for that long) without having to do at least 300 calculations?

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RESPONSE -->

26.62

confidence assessment: 3

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17:30:16

At the end of the first month, the number of frogs in the pond would be (20 * .1) + 20 = 22 frogs. At the end of the second month there would be (22 * .1) + 22 = 24.2 frogs while at the end of the third month there would be (24.2 * .1) + 24.2 = 26.62 frogs.

The key to extending the strategy is to notice that multiplying a number by .1 and adding it to the number is really the same as simply multiplying the number by 1.1. 10 * 1.1 = 22; 22 * 1.1 = 24.2; etc.. So after 300 months you will have multiplied by 1.1 a total of 300 times. This would give you 20 * 1.1^300, whatever that equals (a calculator will easily do the arithmetic).

A common error is to say that 300 months at 10% per month gives 3,000 percent, so there would be 30 * 20 = 600 frogs after 30 months. That doesn't work because the 10% increase is applied to a greater number of frogs each time. 3000% would just be applied to the initial number, so it doesn't give a big enough answer.

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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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17:36:27

`q007. Calculate 1/x for x = 1, .1, .01 and .001. Describe the pattern you obtain. Why do we say that the values of x are approaching zero? What numbers might we use for x to continue approaching zero? What happens to the values of 1/x as we continue to approach zero? What do you think the graph of y = 1/x vs. x looks for x values between 0 and 1?

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RESPONSE -->

the decimal point keeps moving and the value gets smaller - which means that the values of x are ""approaching zero"". If the numbers used for X keep getting smaller, the closer we get to 0. The same because anything x's 1 will equal that number

confidence assessment: 3

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17:36:55

If x = .1, for example, 1 / x = 1 / .1 = 10 (note that .1 goes into 1 ten times, since we can count to 1 by .1, getting.1, .2, .3, .4, ... .9, 10. This makes it clear that it takes ten .1's to make 1.

So if x = .01, 1/x = 100 Ithink again of counting to 1, this time by .01). If x = .001 then 1/x = 1000, etc..

Note also that we cannot find a number which is equal to 1 / 0. Deceive why this is true, try counting to 1 by 0's. You can count as long as you want and you'll ever get anywhere.

The values of 1/x don't just increase, they increase without bound. If we think of x approaching 0 through the values .1, .01, .001, .0001, ..., there is no limit to how big the reciprocals 10, 100, 1000, 10000 etc. can become.

The graph becomes steeper and steeper as it approaches the y axis, continuing to do so without bound but never touching the y axis.

This is what it means to say that the y axis is a vertical asymptote for the graph .

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RESPONSE -->

ok

self critique assessment: 3

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17:39:04

* `q008. At clock time t the velocity of a certain automobile is v = 3 t + 9. At velocity v its energy of motion is E = 800 v^2. What is the energy of the automobile at clock time t = 5?

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RESPONSE -->

460800

self critique assessment: 3

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17:39:20

For t=5, v = 3 t + 9 = (3*5) + 9 = 24. Therefore E = 800 * 24^2 = 460800.

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self critique assessment: 3

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17:44:06

* `q009. Continuing the preceding problem, can you give an expression for E in terms of t?

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RESPONSE -->

E=800x(3t)^

self critique assessment: 3

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17:45:21

Since v = 3 t + 9 the expression would be E = 800 v^2 = 800 ( 3t + 9) ^2. This is the only answer really required here.

For further reference, though, note that this expression could also be expanded by applying the Distributive Law:.

Since (3t + 9 ) ^ 2 = (3 t + 9 ) * ( 3 t + 9 ) = 3t ( 3t + 9 ) + 9 * (3 t + 9) = 9 t^2 + 27 t + 27 t + 81 = 9 t^2 + 54 t + 81, we get

E = 800 ( 9 t^2 + 54 t + 81) = 7200 t^2 + 43320 t + 64800 (check my multiplication because I did that in my head, which isn't always reliable).

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RESPONSE -->

wow, that is amazing...that you can do that in your head

self critique assessment: 3