MAC 1105 Pre-Class Assignment: Multiple Representations of Functions

Read sections 2.1 ‘Graphs of Functions’ and 2.2 ‘Properties of Functions’ to prepare for class
In this week’s pre-requisite module, you covered the topics plotting points, intercepts and interval notations.
These are crucial skills needed for the conversation that we will be having this week about graph and
properties of functions.

Imagine the situation where you have a growing square that has side length s inches. As the square grows, the
length, 𝑠, gets bigger.

Consider the function that relates the perimeter, 𝑃, in inches, in terms of 𝑠, which is our independent variable.
Let’s name this function 𝑃(𝑠) where s is our input and 𝑃(𝑠) is our output.

In addition to the verbal description of perimeter above, we want to explore three additional representations of
our function 𝑃.

1) Algebraic Formula

a) What is the formula for the perimeter of a square? 4 x P

b) We can then define 𝑃 by using function notation and an algebraic expression rule that is in terms of s
here:

𝑃(𝑠) =____4s__________

2) Graphical Representation

a) Can 𝑠 be 0? Explain your answer. No because then it is not a square.

b) Can 𝑠 be negative? Explain your answer. No it cannot be negative.

c) What is the domain and range of 𝑃? D=(-,) range = (-,)

d) Draw the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑃(𝑠) here:

MAC 1105 Pre-Class Assignment: Multiple Representations of Functions
Read sections 2.1 ‘Graphs of Functions’ and 2.2 ‘Properties of Functions’ to prepare for class

e) So 𝑃 is a ______positive ____________ function.

3) Numerical Data Table

This will be a table filled with input values and output values. Fill in the missing values for 𝑃(𝑠).

Input Output

1 4/3
3
1 4

2 8

7 28
40 10

Note that a numerical data table can only show finitely many input-output pairs at any one time.

While these four formats are very different looking, they all capture the same function, and are called the four
representations of f:

 Verbal
 Algebraic
 Graphical
 Numerical

4) Describe one advantage of the algebraic representation of f compared to its graphical representation?

It's easy to see the relationship between the input value and the output value

5) Describe one advantage of the verbal representation of f compared to its numerical representation?
Is faster to undersand