Chapter 6
Giving Graphing a Gander
IN THIS CHAPTER
Establishing the coordinate system
Using intercepts and symmetry to your advantage
Plotting lines on a graph
Reviewing the ten most common graphs in algebra
Embracing technology with graphing calculators
An algebraic graph is a drawing that illustrates an algebraic relationship or equation in a two-dimensional plane (like a piece of graph paper). A graph allows you to see the characteristics of an algebraic statement immediately.
The graphs in algebra are unique because they reveal relationships that you can use to model situations. The graph of a mathematical curve has a ton of information crammed into an elegant package. For example, parabolas can model daily temperature, and a flat, S-shaped curve can model the number of people infected with the flu.
In this chapter, you find out how lines, parabolas, other polynomials, and radical curves all fit into the picture. I start off with a quick refresher on graphing basics. The rest ...
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