ERIC Number: EJ954209
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0730-8639
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Classroom Note on: Modeling Functions with the TI-83/84 Calculator
Lubowsky, Jack
Mathematics and Computer Education, v45 n3 p204-208 Fall 2011
In Pre-Calculus courses, students are taught the composition and combination of functions to model physical applications. However, when combining two or more functions into a single more complicated one, students may lose sight of the physical picture which they are attempting to model. A block diagram, or flow chart, in which each block represents a constituent equation, can present a more understandable picture of the overall process being modeled. This note presents two example problems, a speedometer and a radio station, using block diagrams to represent composition and combination of functions. The TI-84 graphing calculator is referenced. The author has found this approach often helps students better visualize and understand the equations as part of a system. (Contains 11 figures.)
Descriptors: Graphing Calculators, Flow Charts, Calculus, Educational Technology, Equations (Mathematics), Problem Solving, College Mathematics, Mathematics Instruction
MATYC Journal Inc. Mathematics and Computer Education, P.O. Box 158, Old Bethpage, NY 11804. Tel: 516-822-5475; e-mail: macej@optonline.net Web site: http://www.macejournal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A