YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Desert Temperatures

In this assignment, you may work alone, with a partner, or in a small group. Discuss the
results of your work and/or any lingering questions with your teacher.

Temperature in the desert can be modeled by the function C(t), where t represents hours after
midnight (0 ≤ t ≤ 24), and C is the temperature measured in degrees Celsius. Examine what
happens to the graph when you transform the function to degrees Fahrenheit.

Circle the desert you picked:

Sahara Desert Patagonian Desert Death Valley California

Click here for long description

Exploring Degrees Celsius

1. Fill out the following chart to find the temperatures for t = 12 (noon) and t = 24
(midnight). (2 points: 1 point for each row)

t C(t) = –0.30(t – 12)2 + 40

12
 24

2. Plot the three points from the chart onto the graph below. Use the plotted points to sketch
the graph of C(t) = –0.30(t – 12)2 + 40. (3 points: 2 points for correct coordinates, 1 point for
correct shape)

Convert the Function to Degrees Fahrenheit:

3. Suppose you want to represent the desert temperature in degrees Fahrenheit instead. How
would you transform the function C(t) to make the new function, F(t)? (2 points: 1 point for
each transformation)

Note: The conversion rule for Celsius to Fahrenheit is .

4. Take your values from the previous chart (in question 2) and convert them from Celsius to
Fahrenheit. Follow the example below, and use the conversion rule to fill out the chart for
degrees Fahrenheit when t = 12 and t = 24. (2 points: 1 point for each row)

12

24

5. Use the conversion formula to write the equation for the new function, F(t).
(4 points: 2 points for setting up the equation, 2 points for the answer)
Hint: Substitute the equation for C(t) into .
6. Plot the points from the Fahrenheit chart in question 4 onto the graph below. Use the
plotted points to sketch out the graph of F(t). (3 points: 2 points for correct coordinates, 1
point for correct shape)

7. Compare the graph in question 6 (F(t)) with the graph in question 2 (C(t)). What changes
were made to the graph of C(t) to transform it to F(t)? (1 point)
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4.4.4 Practice: Modeling: Stretching and Compressing Functions