Time for a shift in thinking! Learners examine translations of linear functions. They use function notation to describe the translation and make connections to the graph.

If you know one, you know them all! Parent functions all handle translations the same. This instructional activity examines the quadratic, absolute value, and square root functions. Pupils discover the similarities in the behavior of the...

Young mathematicians look for patterns in inverse functions as they relate to the original functions. The comprehensive lesson emphasizes vocabulary throughout as well as algebraic and graphical characteristics of the inverse functions.

Functions have families, too. Learners first graph the parent functions for linear, quadratic, and cubic functions, and then use vertical translations to graph families of functions.

Tenth graders study graphing exponential functions. In this transformations lesson plan, 10th graders apply inquiry to determine how changes to a parent function affect its graph. Students analyze transformed graphs and generate the...

Comparing the movement of graphs geometrically when small changes are made to the parent function motivates this collaborative discussion on the transformations of functions to their various forms. Vertical and horizontal shifts due to...

Students explore the concept of piecewise functions. In this piecewise functions lesson, students graph piecewise functions by hand and find the domain and range. Students make tables of values given a piecewise function. Students write...

Math is all about finding solutions and connections you didn't expect! Young mathematicians often first discover nonlinear patterns when graphing quadratic functions. The lesson begins with the vocabulary of a quadratic graph and uses...

Here is a well-designed resource that provides five yes-or-no questions which model different situations with linear functions. It makes a good pre-test for the beginning of the unit. The purpose is to elicit common misconceptions of...

Students identify the basic transformations of parent functions. They use their graphing calculator to create a transformation booklet by folding a sheet of computer paper in half and stapling along the folded edge.

Young mathematicians first graph a series of quadratic equations, and then investigate how various parts of the equation change the graph of the function in a predictable way.

Students analyze function graphs.  In this Algebra II/Pre-calculus lesson, students investigate the graph of a function as they determine to which family of functions it belongs, determine the parent function and describe the...

Collaborative groups utilize their knowledge of parent functions and transformations to determine the equations associated with graphs. The graph is then related to the scenario it represents. 

Graph it! Investigate transformations with a graphing calculator. Pupils graph sets of linear functions on the same set of axes. They determine how changes in the equation of a linear function result in changes in the graph.

Perform data analysis on energy consumption to apply algebraic expressions to the real world. Learners will write and solve equations that answer various questions from residential power use. They will collect data at home and calculate...

Learners explore quadratic equations in this Algebra II lesson. They investigate families of quadratic functions by graphing the parent function and family members on the same graph. Additionally, they write the equation of the parabola...

Students explore the concept of sine and cosine.  In this sine and cosine lesson, students work in groups to graph sine and cosine functions.  Students examine how coefficients in various parts of each parent function shift the...

An exercise in finding the approximate time that a name would be called at a graduation. Estimating time may be difficult for some of the class, so this resource would not be a good choice for learning this standard. It does end with a...

Eleventh graders study seven functions. They use their handheld calculator to determine which family of functions the equation belongs, the parent function described, and they calculate the vertical and horizontal translation.

Young mathematicians explore transformations of graphs by graphing sets of functions on the same pair of axes. They use their graphs to determine the effect that the values of a and b in y = ax + b have on the graph of y = x.

Tenth graders investigate three different sets of data that relate temperature to another variable in the physical world. These illustrate linear, inverse and exponential relationships.

Students construct spreadsheets from raw data. In this spreadsheet construction lesson, students compile data into Microsoft Excel. Students familiarize themselves with entering and presenting data in a spreadsheet.

Explore how real-world applications can be parabolic in nature and how to find quadratic functions that best fit data. A number of different examples of modeling parabolas are explored including a student scavenger hunt, the exploration...

In this lesson, students will be able to identify parent functions of linear functions, absolute value functions, and quadratic functions. Students will be presented with functions and asked to graph them by first identifying the basic...