Lecture 5: More on graphing

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Assignment

These are the problems you should work before January 29.
Review problems, page 75, 4n+1, for n=0..22;
Section 1.1, page 92, 4n+1, for n=0...24;
Section 1.2, page 102, 1-6, and 4n, for n=3...23;
Section 1.3, page 113, 4n+1, for n=0...19.

Brief review of the lecture

We are going to look at how to graph functions using at TI graphing calculator. The TI-83 and the TI-82 work similarly. The cd rom diskette some of you bought has a lovely TI-82 or TI-83 simulator. But first we'll talk about symmetry. Symmetry means that a figure looks the same from two different perspectives. We saw in class that the graph of the equation y=|x|. looks the same when the overhead transparency is flipped around so that the y-axis lands back where it started. This is an example of a set (or graph) which is symmetric with respect to (wrt) the y-axis. There are several other kinds of symmetry we need to learn how to diagnose and use.
Reflection across a line. Symmetry with respect to
1. the x-axis
2. the y-axis
3. the line y=x
4. the origin
We can test these types of symmetry as follows: 1. x-axis: if we get the same set of points when y is replaced by -y. In other words, if (x,y) belongs to the set just exactly when (x,-y) belongs to the set. Take (x-1)^2 + y^2=9. You may recognize this as a circle with center at (1,0) and radius 3. Notice that the very same equations (hence the same set) results if we replace the y with -y: (x-1)^2+(-y)^2=9, and the minus sign disappears because of the square.
2. If the same set results when x is replaced by -x.
3. If the same set results when x and y are interchanged. In other words, (x,y) belongs to the set exactly when (y,x) belongs to the set. Consider the equation xy=1. This has the same graph as yx=1 (of course), so it has symmetry wrt the line y=x.
We'll see how to use the graphing calculator to determine when a curve is symmetric wrt each of the lines in question.

The material below is left from a previous semester. Read it if you dare!

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