Saturday, December 6, 2014

333: Which values of x do we choose? Radicals

For the following functions, think about "How to graph like a math teacher." Math teachers want to sketch graphs quickly and efficiently and choose values of x that work "nicely" in the equation and  generate integer values of y, thus making it easier to graph.
  • Which points are best found by inspection?
  • Which points are best found by substitution?
  • Which points are best found by symmetry?

$y = \sqrt{x+2}$

$y = \sqrt{1-x}$

$y = \sqrt[3]{2x+1}$


What are your favorite examples of this?

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