A Little Code To Start
To get started, let's review functions from the previous chapter. Check out this description of a function in plain English:
The function f does the following with any number that is input: square the input, set aside; double the input, set aside; add the two numbers from the previous calculations; return the resulting number as the output of f.Quick Check: What's f(1)?
The algebraic code for the above English description is
f(x)=x^2+2x. I've already typed this code in for you in the applet below.
I've also created a variable h (currently set to 0.1, but you can change it) for you to use (you'll see why soon).
To get started, type the following into the input bar:
(x(A)+h,f(x(A)+h))
Careful with parentheses! Even though this looks weird, this will create a point on the function because this will be an input/output pair. Go to the next activity to verify you've done it correctly.