Periodic Function Action!
The applet below dynamically depicts what it means for a function to be classified as a periodic function.
Interact with the applet below for a few minutes.
As you do, be sure to move the 5 points anywhere you'd like.
Answer the questions that follow.
1.
What does the term "periodic" mean? What events in life would you classify as predictably "periodic"? Why would you classify these events this way?
2.
The length of the purple segment is said to be the period of the function f. Suppose the period of the function above = 5 units. Also, suppose f(2) = 8. Given this information, what other input values for function f would also result in an output of 8?
3.
Suppose a function f has period c. How would you describe what it means for a function f to be periodic in terms of x and c?