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Derivative of a Cubic FunctionThis Geogebra file kindly submitted by Greg Bland dramatically illustrates that the derivative of a cubic function is a quadratic function. Sliders allow you to change the parameters of the cubic function. Geogebra is a fantastic FREEE dynamic geometry program available from
Derivative of y= x^2Move the red dot on the parabola and the gradient function (a linear function) is graphed below it. Very neat. From Manipula Maths. This applet also draws the graph of the 2nd derivative.
SurfingA man is riding on the surf. We set f(x) as the curve of the wave . Observe the slope of the surfbord. The trace of the slope is the derivative of f(x). From Manipula Maths.
Take Your Dog for a WalkThis is a series of interactive pages on distance-time graphs. It is like having a motion sensor when you don't have a motion sensor. Take Your Dog for a Walk Motion Capture Motion Sensor Steady Free Fall
Learning by Simulations - Cubic SplinesCubic splines are cubic functions which are used in applications such as automobile design. The basic idea is to fit cubic polynomials between two neighboring data points while ensuring that there are "smooth" first and second derivatives at the data points. The program available from this website as a zip file is a useful tool for investigating cubic splines.
Learning by Simulations - Differential CalculusDistance, time and velocity are an ideal means to understand the concept of derivation. By reducing the time interval until it becomes zero, the average velocity approaches the instantaneos velocity, which is equal to the first derivative of the distance (with respect to time). This is available as a zip file that can be downloaded.
Average VelocityDrop the ball in a vacuum under the influence of gravity. Set the green line to start the timer and the red line to stop the timer. From the time taken, estimate the average velocity over this time interval. Bonus: You can also choose your planet!
Newton's Method AnimatedThis is a really cool interactive applet for demonstrating Newton's Method. And here is one from the same website that shows a 'pathelogical' case, where the iterations don't converge on the nearest solution: And here are six animated gifs that illustrate Newton's Method. Not interactive, but very nice nonetheless: The above animations are part of a website that shows animations of a variety of iterative methods of finding zeros:
DerivSteps with the TI-NspireType in your function and this clever TI-Nspire program will find the derivative and show all of the setting out. Marvellous!
Displacement-Time GraphsChoose the Displacement-Time Graph Game. Move the car to draw the displacement-time graph. Once you understand the connection between the movement of the car and its related graph, test yourself by playing one of the games.
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