A Visual Approach to Functions

Frances Van Dyke

Year 9 to College

Beginning algebra students as well as those who have studied it for a year or more will benefit from A Visual Approach to Functions, a series of visual exercises that introduces all of the standard functions and applications that students encounter in algebra. As they directly explore the relationship between a qualitative graph without scales and a verbal statement describing a function, students are drawn into the application and begin to think abstractly. Next they are led toward an understanding of algebraic concepts using quantitative graphs, then tables, and finally with equations.

Lessons consisting of blackline masters accompanied by teacher notes and answers are organised into six chapters, each of which includes optional activities that use graphing calculators and motion detectors.