Graphing

Finding a Locus: Algebra and Geometry

Last time we looked at the meaning of the concept of locus. This time, we’ll explore seven examples, from two students. We’ll look at both algebraic (equation) and geometric (description) perspectives.

When is a Line Graph Appropriate?

Graphs are used to display data. But sometimes we aren’t quite sure what sort of graph will best represent the data (or what kind of graph our teacher is expecting). We’ll look at a couple questions asking when a graph consisting of lines should or should not be used.

Boxes, Whiskers, and Outliers

Last week we looked at one way to display data, the stem-and-leaf plot. This time, we’ll look at a very different one, the box-and-whisker plot, which summarizes the data more broadly.

Stems, Leaves, and Data

It’s been a while since we’ve written about statistics, so I want to start a short series about that. Here, we’ll look into stem-and-leaf plots (also called stemplots).

Two Sinusoidal Models

(A new question of the week) Two recent questions involved using trigonometric functions to model real-life (or nearly so) situations, one about breathing, the other about a Ferris wheel. Both can be done by writing a sinusoidal function; the second can be done in other interesting ways as well.

Graphing a Reciprocal Function

There are a number of standard techniques for graphing functions, such as transforming simple functions, or finding asymptotes and holes for rational functions, and using calculus to find slopes. What if you have a rational function of a trigĀ  function, and can’t yet use calculus to figure it out? We’ll look at how we can …

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