Tag: criticalthinkingcc

Computer Programming – Core Competency Reflection

by nighinar2016

Code:

CP11 – Rahimi – Snowmen Code.py

Result:

Reflection:

This project was to present how well we understood loops and how we were able to use them to simplify our code. Before starting, I had to imagine a picture that would use a lot of repetition and would allow me to use ‘for’ loops, ‘while’ loops, and counters. I decided to make snowmen because it uses a lot of repetition of shapes. The problem I faced when creating this code was that I didn’t fully understand the loops, so I wasn’t able to optimize my use of them. When I finished, I had only one loop and I didn’t know where else to fit the missing loops. It wasn’t until I presented my problem to my teacher, that I learned I had written sequences that weren’t necessary. The purpose of the loop is to avoid writing out the code for a shape every time it is used, but that was exactly what I did. I refined my code by making a definition of each shape and learning how to use the loops to make them repeat in different parts of the picture. I had a lot of thought go into my snowflakes and arms because the use of angles in Python is very different. After a bunch of trials and errors, I learned how to reset the angle for the shape in order to create the arms and snowflakes that I wanted. In the end, developing the design for each shape was a very interesting process that taught me a lot about drawing using Python, especially when using loops or angles.

Desmos Art Functions Card 2018

by nighinar2016

 

 

Desmos Card

Figuring out what equations to use was hard. It seemed so simple to just add linear equations everywhere and move on with your day, but I really wanted a challenge and to create something unique and accurate. So, I decided to draw functions I knew out on a separate page and see what they resembled the most. I stared at a tangent function for so long until I realised I could use it to make ruffles. Creating the function first helped me notice things like how a polynomial function resembles the bend of an arm. It is hard for lines to resemble the human body, but as long as there are similarities, I think it is understood. This was very time consuming and frustrating at times, but in the end, I was able to find a spot for every function. I also found myself challenged with, not only which function to use, but how they can be transformed for the necessary spot. Domain and range had to be so precise, sometimes to 4 decimal places, in order to have the function in the right spot. Because some functions were chains of other functions, one change could affect 3 other lines, so there was a lot of work put into making sure everything was in the right place. Aside from the frustrating moments, there were also moments of excitement. It was a great feeling to figure out a perfect function for a shape that wasn’t a linear function or quadratic. I was proud to see it fit, a complicated function with the right transformation and domain and range, it was a relief. Sometimes, none of the functions fit into the idea I had. At these times, I searched on google for the equation of a circle for instance. This assignment was, in the end, a lot of fun. I liked that, when creating myself, I could add things like my nose ring. You get to learn that one f(x) can be changed and moved in so many ways. Functions are more than what you learn in class. I was able to take one f(x) and stretch it to create a wider shape or move it over to create a new shape. This gave me a better understanding of how important your stretches, reflections, and translations really are and how what a great impact they have on a function. A function that looks pretty straight can be stretched to have a wider curve or an angled slope. It also saved me a lot of time. I could make one shape and multiply it to move it somewhere else or reflect it to the other side of the graph. This was really helpful to understand in shaping my card. I am really happy with my card and enjoyed the process and the things I learned along the way.