Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Advanced Topics 1: Purpose
Advanced Topics 1: Purpose
Topics 1
MATH 141
Updated Fall 2020
Advanced Topics 1
Purpose
This assignment is a review of select topics in algebra and trigonometry. It is connected to chapter 1 in
the textbook.
The Assignment
0. Open a new word processing document (Word, Google Docs, etc.). Follow the formatting
instructions given in AT0.
Part A
1. Graph the function
3𝑥 4
𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 1
on 4, 6 1, 5 .
Graphing calculator
Press y = and enter the function carefully into Y1. To get absolute value bars, press MATH, arrow
to NUM, and select 1:abs.
Press WINDOW. Enter Xmin=‐4, Xmax = 6, Ymin = ‐1, and Ymax = 5.
Press Graph.
Desmos
Go to https://www.desmos.com/. If you have an account, you can login. If you want to save
your work, you can create a free account. If you don’t want to, that’s okay too. Click on Graphing
Calculator.
In the bar on the left side of the screen type in the function along with the domain and range
restrictions. The syntax is as follows: y = abs((3x‐4)/(x^2+1)){‐4<x<6}{‐1<y<5}. See the image
below.
Check that the graph matches the one you got on your calculator.
Export and import the Desmos graph into your document, following the steps given in AT0.
Remember to number your answers as they are numbered in this document. This will be
number 1.
2. Use the given formula for 𝑓 and your knowledge of functions to describe the largest set of real
numbers that can form the domain of 𝑓.
Page 1 of 4
Advanced Topics 1
MATH 141
Updated Fall 2020
3. Compute approximations for the coordinates of the highest point and the lowest point of the graph
of the function 𝑓 on the restricted domain [‐4, 6]. We will do this on the graphing calculator. Desmos
doesn’t have a built‐in optimization tool.
Graphing Calculator
Press 2nd and Trace to get to the Calc Menu.
Select 3: Minimum.
You will be prompted to enter a left bound. Arrow until you are to the left of the minimum.
Press Enter.
You will be prompted to find a right bound. Move to the right of the minimum and press Enter.
For the guess arrow near the low point and press Enter.
Write down the coordinates of the minimum in the form of an ordered pair (x, y). Round to 3
decimal places.
Repeat the process above using 4: Maximum to estimate the coordinates of the maximum,
rounding to 3 decimal places.
In your document write:
On my graphing calculator the minimum is (write the coordinates) and the maximum is (write
the coordinates), rounded to 3 decimal places.
4. Construct a table of values for the function f. Desmos doesn’t automatically populate a table, and so
it’s not very helpful for questions like this. We will use the calculator for this step.
Graphing Calculator
Press 2nd and Window to get to the table settings menu.
Use tblStart 𝟎. 𝟓 and ∆tbl 𝟎. 𝟏.
Scroll through the values in the table to compute approximations for the coordinates of the
highest point and the lowest point on the graph, where the x‐coordinates are rounded to 1
decimal place.
Answer the following in your document: Do these values support your answer in #3? Explain.
5. Considering only the restricted domain [‐4, 6], solve the equation 𝑓 𝑥 0 by hand. Type up the
solution. You can skip some basic steps, but you should show all significant work. Your work doesn’t
have to be entirely mathematical. You can use a combination of verbal and mathematical steps. The
verbal steps should be in complete sentences.
6. Considering only the restricted domain [‐4, 6], solve the equation 𝑓 𝑥 by hand. Type up the
solution. You can skip some basic steps, but you should show all significant work. Your work doesn’t
have to be entirely mathematical. You can use a combination of verbal and mathematical steps. The
verbal steps should be in complete sentences.
Page 2 of 4
Advanced Topics 1
MATH 141
Updated Fall 2020
Part C
7. The amplitude of an oscillation is half the distance between maximum and minimum values of the
oscillation. The period of the oscillation is the time needed for the oscillation to execute a complete
cycle. To describe arbitrary amplitudes and periods, we use functions of the form 𝑓 𝑡
𝐴 sin 𝐵𝑡 𝐷 and 𝑔 𝑡 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑡 𝐷, where 𝐴 is the amplitude and is the period. To
represent arbitrary phase differences we shift a graph of the correct amplitude and period by
replacing 𝑡 with 𝑡 𝐶 or 𝑡 𝐶. The data below give the apparent diameter of the Sun’s disc (in
minutes of arc) as seen from Earth at various times during the year. The variation is due to the fact
that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is elliptical, and we are closer to the Sun at the end of the year.
Follow the steps below to find a curve of the form 𝑔 𝑡 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑡 𝐷 that best describes the
data; the variable 𝑡 represents time, with 𝑡 0 being January 1. (The approximations you are
finding is not computed using regression methods, but rather knowledge of certain trigonometric
functions.)
𝑡 0 31 59 90 121 152 182 212 243 273 304 334
𝑔 𝑡 32.6 32.5 32.3 32.0 31.8 31.6 31.5 31.6 31.7 32.0 32.3 32.5
Desmos
In Desmos, on the top left corner of the screen, press + and then Table
Enter the table given above.
In the top right corner of the screen press the graph settings (wrench ) icon to change the
viewing window.
Export your image and add it to your document. Shrink the image if it comes out very big when you
add it to your document.
8. Study the plot carefully. Use the values in the table and the definition of period of an oscillation to
determine an approximate value for B in the equation 𝑔 𝑡 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑡 𝐷. Note: the year is
365 days long.
Page 3 of 4
Advanced Topics 1
MATH 141
Updated Fall 2020
9. Study the plot carefully. Use the values in the table and your knowledge of the cosine function to
determine the approximate value of 𝐷 in the equation 𝑔 𝑡 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑡 𝐷.
10. Study the plot and the graph carefully. Use the values in the table and the definition of amplitude of
an oscillation to determine an approximate value for 𝐴 in the equation 𝑔 𝑡 𝐴 cos 𝐵𝑡 𝐷.
12. Use your calculator and the function 𝑔 you constructed to compute the diameter of the Sun’s disc as
seen from Earth on February 14 (𝑡 44 , July 10 (𝑡 190 , and September 20 𝑡 262 . You can
do this on Desmos by clicking on the third entry box and typing in g(44), and so on. Round to 2
decimal places.
13. Use your knowledge of the sine and cosine function to determine the phase shift 𝐶 needed to
approximate the data points with the function 𝑓 𝑡 𝐴 sin 𝐵 𝑡 𝐶 𝐷.
14. Graph the functions 𝑓 that you obtained in #13 together with the data points and verify your results.
Export the image and add it to your document. To remove 𝑔 𝑡 from the graph on Desmos, click on
the circle next to the second entry box. It will grey‐out the circle and will remove the graph.
Page 4 of 4