Describing Graphs

course Mth 164

10-29-09 4:30 pm

Question: `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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Your solution:

y=3x-4

 X Y

 -3 -13

 -2 -10

 -1 -7

 0 -4

 1 -1

 2 2

 3 5

 for y = 0=3x-4

x=(4/3,0)

 for x = y=3(0)-4

(0,-4)

 

 

confidence rating: 3

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Given Solution:

 

`aThe 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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Question: `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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Your solution:

 no for when x goes up by one y always goes up by 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

confidence rating: 3

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Given Solution:

 

`aThe graph forms a straight line with no change in steepness.

 

 

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Question: `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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Your solution:

 I honestly don't know how to answer this question. This part of the math has been too long ago for me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

confidence rating: 0

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Given Solution:

 

`aBetween 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.

&#Your response did not agree with the given solution in all details, and you should therefore have addressed the discrepancy with a full self-critique, detailing the discrepancy and demonstrating exactly what you do and do not understand about the parts of the given solution on which your solution didn't agree, and if necessary asking specific questions (to which I will respond).

&#

 

 

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Question: `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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Your solution:

 y=x^2

 x y

 0 0

 1 1

 2 4

 3 9

yes because the number is getting squared so it is getting steeper and steeper as it goes up.

 It is increasing in an increasing rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

confidence rating:

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 3

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Given Solution:

 

`aGraph 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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Question: `q005. Make a table of y vs. x for y = x^2. Graph y = x^2 between x = -3 and x = 0.

 

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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Your solution:

 y=x^2

 x y

 -3 9

 -2 4

 -1 1

 0 0

 

 yes it is decreasing and decreasing at a large rate the larger the number

 it is decreasing at an decreasing rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

confidence rating: 3

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Given Solution:

 

`aFrom left to right the graph is decreasing (points (-3,9), (-2,4), (-1,1), (0,0) show y values 9, 4, 1, 0 as we move from left to right ). The magnitudes of the changes in x from 9 to 4 to 1 to 0 decrease, so the steepness is decreasing.

 

Thus the graph is decreasing, but more and more slowly. We therefore say that the graph is decreasing at a decreasing rate.

 

 

 

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Question: `q006. Make a table of y vs. x for y = `sqrt(x). [note: `sqrt(x) means 'the square root of x']. Graph y = `sqrt(x) 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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Your solution:

 y=`sqrt(x)

 x y

 0 0

 1 1

 2 1.414

 3 1.732

 

 increasing

 increasing at a decreasing rate

 

 

 

 

 

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 3

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Given Solution:

 

`aIf you use x values 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 you will obtain graph points (0,0), (1,1), (2,1.414), (3. 1.732), (4,2). The y value changes by less and less for every succeeding x value. Thus the steepness of the graph is decreasing.

 

The graph would be increasing at a decreasing rate.

 

If the graph represents the profile of a hill, the hill starts out very steep but gets easier and easier to climb. You are still climbing but you go up by less with each step, so the rate of increase is decreasing.

 

If your graph doesn't look like this then you probably are not using a consistent scale for at least one of the axes. If your graph isn't as described take another look at your plot and make a note in your response indicating any difficulties.

 

 

 

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Question: `q007. Make a table of y vs. x for y = 5 * 2^(-x). Graph y = 5 * 2^(-x) 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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Your solution:

 y=5*2^(-x)

 x y

 0 5

 1 2.5

 2 1.25

 3 .625

 

 it changes by the y value is divided by 2 each time

 

 it is decreasing at a decreasing rate

 

 

 

 

 

confidence rating:

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 3

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Given Solution:

 

`a** From basic algebra recall that a^(-b) = 1 / (a^b).

 

So, for example:

 

2^-2 = 1 / (2^2) = 1/4, so 5 * 2^-2 = 5 * 1/4 = 5/4.

 

5* 2^-3 = 5 * (1 / 2^3) = 5 * 1/8 = 5/8. Etc.

 

The decimal equivalents of the values for x = 0 to x = 3 will be 5, 2.5, 1.25, .625. These values decrease, but by less and less each time.

 

The graph is therefore decreasing at a decreasing rate. **

 

 

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Question: `q008. Suppose you stand still in front of a driveway. A car starts out next to you and moves away from you, traveling faster and faster.

 

If y represents the distance from you to the car and t represents the time in seconds since the car started out, would a graph of y vs. t be increasing or decreasing?

 

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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Your solution:

 increasing

 

 it would be increasing at an increasing rate since the car is driving away faster as it goes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

confidence rating:

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 3

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Given Solution:

 

`a** The speed of the car increases so it goes further each second. On a graph of distance vs. clock time there would be a greater change in distance with each second, which would cause a greater slope with each subsequent second. The graph would therefore be increasing at an increasing rate. **

 

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&#Very good responses. Let me know if you have questions. &#

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