https://www.desmos.com/calculator/cwf69kjfvp
This is my 2018 Holiday Card I created using multiple graphing formulas I’ve learned and worked with over the course of Pre-Calc 12. I decided to include a Christmas Tree, Snowman, Self-portrait and a message spelling Merry X-Mas.
I found the hardest part of this Project finding ways to use two different types of formulas to make or connect objects on my graph. The two Rs, for example, I used constant, circle and linear graphs. Combining them all and adding restrictions allowed me to come to the result I wanted, but it took me longer to do so than using just one graph. Another difficulty I came across was the hair on my self-portrait. I wanted it to fall behind her head as well as to the side, without covering her face. To do this I discovered I needed to use two different graphs with restrictions.
Although I struggled with some aspects of this project, I found it very interesting once I learned and understood how to use Desmos. I’ve never had the need to use an online graphing calculator and once I grasped the ideas and began to understand each of the graphs with more perspective, the project began to get easier and I had more fun with it.
To make this card, my strategy was to focus on just one thing at a time. I started in the center with the Christmas tree and used different formulas to get the result I wanted. Once I was happy with that specific object, I would move onto the next. I left the lettering for last because I wanted it to be on its own and stand out. I decided if I did it first I would be building everything around it whereas if I graphed it last I could get the full potential from every aspect of the card and have the lettering be the final touch.
This project allowed me to further my understanding of graphing simple and complex functions. It also helped review different graphs and transformations. I found it not only interesting but I treated it like a challenge to increase my understanding and create a holiday card I was proud of. I wanted to add more complex functions in order to complete this to the best of my abilities and I am very happy with the overall result.
Self Assesment
| Mark | Process (max. 4 marks) | Score |
| 4 | I clearly described my process, strategies and how I resolved any difficulties, I encountered. | 4 |
| 2 | My explanation is somewhat clear. | |
| 1 | My explanation lacks detail. | |
| 0 | I have not described my problem solving process. | |
| Folders (2 marks) | ||
| 2 | My folders are clearly labelled with body parts and types of functions used | 2 |
| 0 | I did not use folders | |
| Self-Portrait (max. 4 marks) | ||
| 4 | My self-portrait resembles my uniqueness | 4 |
| 2 | My self-portrait is starting to look like a person | |
| 1 | My self-portrait is missing or incomplete | |
| Holiday Card (max. 4 marks) | ||
| 4 | My card has an obvious holiday theme. Color and shading was used to enhance the picture. | 4 |
| 2 | My card is starting to look like a holiday card. | |
| 1 | No thought was put into the use of color, shading or holiday theme. | |
| Equations (max 6 marks) | ||
| 6 | I used all 6 types of function required | 6 |
| x | I used only x of the required types | |
| Function notation (max 10 marks) | ||
| 10 | I made excellent use of function notation in order to transform the same function repeatedly | 10 |
| 5 | I used function notation a few times in order to transform the same function repeatedly. | |
| 0 | I wrote new equations every single time and did not use function notation. | |
| Creativity and Complexity of Equations (max 10 marks) | ||
| 10 | My equations show complexity and creativity. I used multiple transformations. (Stretches, Reflections, Translations). I made excellent use of domain and range restrictions. | 10 |
| 6 | I used mostly the same type of functions, with some transformations. My functions sometimes overlap because I could not figure out the correct domain and range. | |
| 3 | My equations lack complexity and creativity. | |
| Total mark:(40) | 40 |
Jayden reflections on the process are very thoughtful. Excellent work