Calculus 12 - Functions, Graphs
and Limits
(Functions and their Graphs)
This sub-organizer contains
the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources
PRESCRIBED LEARNING
OUTCOMES
It is expected that students
will represent and analyze rational, inverse trigonometric, base e exponential,
natural logarithmic, elementary implicit, and composite functions, using technology
as appropriate.
It is expected that students
will:
- model and apply inverse
trigonometric, base e exponential, natural logarithmic, elementary
implicit and composite functions to solve problems
- draw (using technology),
sketch and analyze the graphs of rational, inverse trigonometric, base e
exponential, natural logarithmic, elementary implicit, and composite functions
for:
- domain and range
- intercepts
- recognize the relationship
between a base a exponential function (a > 0) and the equivalent base e
exponential function

- determine, using the
appropriate method (analytic or graphing utility) the points where

SUGGESTED
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
With the aid of technology,
graphs of functions are often easy to produce. The emphasis is on the interplay
between the geometric and analytic information and on the use of calculus both
to predict and to explain the observed local and global behavior of a function.
- Prior to undertaking
work on functions and their graphs, conduct review activities to ensure that
students can:
- perform algebraic
operations on functions and compute composite functions
- use function and
inverse function notation appropriately
- determine the inverse
of a function and whether it exists
- describe the relationship
between the domain and range of a function and its inverse
- Give students an exponential
function and its inverse logarithmic function. Have them work in groups, using
graphing calculators or computer software, to identify the relationship between
the two. (e.g., compare and contrast the graphs of
).
- Emphasize the domain
and range restrictions as students work with exponential and natural logarithmic
functions.
- Have students use technology
(e.g., graphing calculators) to compare the graphs of functions such as:
- Similarly apply this
procedure to trigonometric and inverse trigonometric graphs including: sine
and arcsine, cosine and arccosine, and tangent and arctangent. Emphasize that
arcsine
and does not mean the reciprocal of sin x
SUGGESTED
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES
The exponential and natural
logarithmic functions enable students to solve more complex problems in areas
such as science, engineering, and finance. Students should be able to demonstrate
their knowledge of the relationship between natural logarithms and exponential
functions, both in theory and in application, in a variety of problem situations.
Observe
- Ask students to outline
how they would teach a classmate to explain:
- the inverse relationship
between base e exponential and natural logarithmic functions
- the restrictions
associated with base e exponential and natural logarithmic, and trigonometric
and inverse trigonometric functions
Note the extent to which the outlines:
- include general
steps to follow
- use mathematical
terms correctly
- provide clear examples
- describe common
errors and how they can be avoided
Collect
- Assign a series of problems
that require students to apply their knowledge of the relationship between
logarithms and exponential functions. Check their work for evidence that they:
- clearly understood
the requirements of the problem
- used efficient strategies
and procedures to solve the problem
- recognized when
a strategy or procedure was not appropriate
- verified that their
solutions were accurate and reasonable
Self-Assessment
- Discuss with students
the criteria for assessing graphing skills. Show them how to develop a rating
scale. Have them use the scale to assess their own graphing skills.
RECOMMENDED
LEARNING RESOURCES
Print
Materials
- Calculus: Graphical,
Numerical, Algebraic
pp. 12, 16, 23, 36-37, 45-51, 165
- Calculus of a Single
Variable Early Transcendental Functions, Second Edition
Ch. 1 (Sections 1.4, 1.5, 1.6)
Ch. 4 (Section 4.6)
pp. 5, 20, 26-27, 41, 51-52, 63, 158, 182
- Single Variable Calculus
Early Transcendentals, Fourth Edition
pp. 43-46, 61-63, 69-72, A31-A34
Multimedia
- Calculus: A New Horizon,
Sixth Edition
pp. 49, 57, 240, 242-243, 246, 254, 261, 308
- Calculus of a Single
Variable, Sixth Edition
Ch. 5 (Section 5.1, 5.4, 5.5, 5.8)
pp. 20, 26, 27, 75, 134, 380
©
2000 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Curriculum Branch.
Maintained by: Mathematics Coordinator
Revised: December 5, 2000
Ministry of Education Home Page