Comparing features of functions

Comparing features of functions
Description
Exercise Name:	Comparing features of functions
Math Missions:	Algebra II Math Mission, Precalculus Math Mission, Mathematics III Math Mission, Differential calculus Math Mission
Types of Problems:	2

The Comparing features of functions exercise appears under the Algebra II Math Mission, Precalculus Math Mission, Mathematics III Math Mission and Differential calculus Math Mission. This exercise strengthens understanding of function in graphical and rule forms.

Types of Problems

There are two types of problems in this exercise:

1. Answer the question about these functions: This problem provides three functions in rule, table, and graphical forms. The user is asked to answer a single question that compares the three functions.

   

   Answer the question about these functions

2. Answer the applied function problem: This problem provides a real-life situation with two people represented by different functions. The user is asked to answer a question that uses the functions to compare the two people.

   

   Answer the applied function problem

Strategies

Knowledge of the graphical and rule use of functions would help to ensure successful completion of this exercise.

1. The y-intercept is the highest an object reaches if it starts going down without any increase or the starting point if it starts going up without any decrease.
2. The x-intercept is the horizontal movement of an object.
3. The vertex of a parabola occurs at the x-value of ${\frac{-b}{2a}}$.
4. When there is a graph provided, the graph is drawn to scale and can be used to find answers instead of necessarily finding equations.

Real-life Applications

1. Functions are used to model many things from population growth in biology, economic trends in business, motion-time graphs in physics, and even the path of planets through space.