Students Work with Real Data Transforming Functions is comprised of two levels of experiments. In the first level, students learn to collect and graph their data, work with tables and graphs, and answer both qualitative and quantitative questions about functions. These exercises are geared primarily toward pre-algebra and algebra students, but can be used in more advanced classes as well. In the second set of experiments, intended primarily for algebra and precalculus, students move on to using transformations to find a symbolic representation of the underlying function.
Students learn that there are families of functions.
Activities are also provided which let students practice transforming functions to fit existing data before they experiment with their own. Even if you don't have the link software, the programs are short enough to be entered by hand. There are also extra data sets you can use with the transformation practice exercises, or in lieu of collecting firsthand data.