Using the online graphing calculator (desmos), graph the equations below. You will need to reveal the keyboard by clicking on the keyboard icon at the bottom left of the screen; this will give you access to the more complicated symbols. You may also have to click the functions button to hunt for the symbols. Don’t worry about memorizing the different types of functions and how they are written. The important practice you are doing here is looking at each graph and noting its identifying attributes. For each equation:
Take a screenshot.
Describe what the graph looks like in your own words.
List any maxima, minima, or zeroes (also called x and y intercepts, where your graph crosses either axis). You can easily identify these by clicking in the graph itself. It will reveal grey dots at important intersections.
Describe how the graph behaves as x approaches positive or negative infinity (its end behavior). Does it just keep going at the same rate, or does it approach a value but never touch it (called an asymptote)?
Equations to be graphed
Linear: y = 2x
Quadratic: y = 2x2 + 5x - 3
Square root: y = √x
Cube root: y = ∛x
Step function: y = floor(x)
Absolute value: y = |x |
Polynomial: y = 6x3 - 2x - 1
Rational function: y = 1/x
Exponential function: y = e-x
Natural logarithmic function: y = ln x
