What’s Your Function?

Blog submission number 2

Due Date: September 9, 2012 by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time

Point value: (15 points)

Learning objectives:

• Recognize, observe, formulate, and understand mathematical connections that functions and their graphs have in everyday life
• Analyze, think critically about, and demonstrate a meaningful understanding of various mathematical functions and their graphs by effectively communicating their thinking and reasoning for their solutions and mathematical connections to real world situations (in other words, rather than simply knowing how to solve any particular problem, students should be able to explain how they to come to a particular solution and as well as explain why it is correct)
• Apply general strategies to more than one type of graph, function, or equation 
• Comfortably and effectively utilize a variety of strategies to solve any given mathematical problem involving functions and their graphs

Background:

This blog submission is an exercise in recognizing real world applications of a mathematical concept.

Directions:

Part a:

1. The Washington Post
2. Every input has exactly one output and passes vertical line test
3. The graph is showing how the population of New Mexico is approaching zero.
4. Not linear
5. The function is not linear because it is not a straight line. An equation cannot be created because there is no exact output for every input. 
6. The graph is not a mathematical model because the population does not depend on the time. The outputs do not depend on the inputs. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/01/17/population-growth-in-new-mexico-is-approaching-zero-and-other-bad-signs/

Part b:

1. The Washington Post
2. The graph shows how we have begun to use less and less energy to produce a given unit of economic activity. Mostly caused by fuel-efficient trucks, more efficient power plants, and any other energy-efficient manufacturing techniques.
3. The graph does not pass the vertical line test.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/01/17/can-we-sever-the-link-between-energy-and-growth/

Part c:

1. After completing your blog entry, thoughtfully and critically comment on the posts of members in your blog group.