1 Explore
In this activity, you can adjust the linear pieces shown on the left. Arrange these pieces to approximate a conjectured derivative graph. (Make sure the points are in left-to-right order when you finish adjusting.)
When you finish arranging your approximately-conjectured derivative, press Reveal to show a function matching the derivative you've specified.
Page 1: What's the shape of a velocity graph when a tennis ball is dropped from a height and bounces off the floor? Use this page to create a conjecture of the shape of the velocity graph, and then use Reveal Function to check your conjecture. Press Reveal Function again to hide the position graph while you're adjusting your conjecture.
Page 2: Use this page to create a piecewise linear derivative function for another scenario (for instance, the height of water in an interestingly-shaped container being filled at a constant rate). How does the shape of the bottle determine the derivative of the function that describes the height of the water relative to the amount of water poured in?
2 The Fine Print
Requirements:
These activities require web access using a browser that supports HTML5 and JavaScript. (That means almost any current browser.) No purchase is required, and there’s no advertising anywhere.
Release Information
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Update History:
This web site is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under NCSU IUSE award 1712280 (July 2017 through December 2020) and KCP Technologies DRK-12 award ID 0918733 (September 2009 through August 2013). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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