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Gold Medal Software Volume 2 (Gold Medal) (1994).iso
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pcmf11.arj
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MF_INTRO.TXT
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1993-09-22
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INTRODUCTION
What can the student do with this program?
The user of this program can edit and plot three functions:
F(x), G(x) and H(x) where H(x) is an expression using only F(x)
and G(x). Functions can be plotted in either rectangular or
polar coordinates. With rectangular coordinates, the function
values are plotted as conventional y values. With polar
coordinates, the x variable is the same as conventional theta
and the function values are the radius, r. Edited functions and
plotting parameters can be saved to a file that is created and
named by the student. These exercise files can also be saved,
loaded, renamed or deleted.
How does the student select and edit a function?
For F(x) or G(x), the user can select one of five function
types: polynomial, factored polynomial, trig, exponential or
logarithmic. The constants in these expressions can be edited
over a range of positive and negative values. By setting some
constants equal to zero and others equal to one, the functions
can be simplified. A simplified version of the function is
written on the screen and updated as the user changes the
various constants. Among the five function types that can be
edited, for convenience, two of them are called polynomial and
factored polynomial. These functions can be other than true
polynomials since they may be given negative and fractional
exponents.
How does this program help the student to master pre-calculus
mathematics?
1) The effects of negative, positive, odd, even and fractional
exponents are readily observed as well as those of
coefficients and additive constants.
2) Discontinuities of various types are easily illustrated.
3) Odd and even symmetry can be demonstrated.
4) The powerful effect of using functions of functions can be
demonstrated to the student in creative and interesting
ways.
5) Intersections of functions which are often solutions to
various types of conditional word problems involving
simultaneous equations can be illustrated.
6) How a function looks when plotted in rectangular and then
polar coordinates can be quickly observed and compared.