This one-page Flash applet allows the user to investigate the role of parameters in the graphs of various families of functions. For example, a student can see the role of a changing value of "a" in the graph of cos(ax) by simply pressing a button that increases or decreases the value of "a" while the graph is shown dynamically changing. Six common function families can be used. A link to download the most recent Flash player plugin is given at the bottom of the page on the site.
INTENDED USES:
Students in algebra, pre-calculus or calculus.
SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONS:
Plugins: Flash player 7.0 (free) with any browser
Operating Systems: Mac or Windows
Open Families and Points Plotter in a new window
Barbara Kaskosz, "Families and Points Plotter," Convergence (August 2010)