Investigative Task Maths Advanced

Question #1.
1: What does the

graph of a typical “smooth” function
look like when we zoom in to the
micro level?
On a micro level, the function will

always look like a straight line. This
is independent of what point we
pick on the graph and the initial
curvature that we see from the
graph before zooming in on it.
Question #1.2: Will the curve always look like this when we zoom in? If not, when and where
do we see something different?
Yes, however the amount we need to zoom before attaining a straight line differs between
each point on a graph, depending on the initial curvature of the graph. The more rounded the
curve looks, the more zooming that is required before the curve looks like a straight line.
However, the straighter the macro viewed graph is, the less zooming which is needed to
achieve a straight line.
Question #1.3: Can you make some further observations:

After conducting my own independent investigations, I observed that linear graphs will look
straight irrespective of whether we zoom into it or not, this makes sense as linear graphs
have a constant gradient. Through personal investigation, I also determined that the view of
the ‘giant’ and the ‘ant’ differs most when a given point of the graph has the most curvature.
This correlates to the idea that more zooming is required to attain a straight line from the
curve.
Also, the absolute value graph is a special case at x = 0, because it could be considered on
either the negative or positive side of the graph. Also the gradient of a hyperbola cannot be
found on the x-value of its asymptote, because it is undefined at that region.
Question #1.4: What is the relationship between the “micro” zoomed in view of the curve and
the “macro” zoomed out view of the
curve
When zoomed in on a line created by
two close points on a graph, we can
see that this line is a secant to the
graph, as it intersects the graph at least
two times. However, as we zoom out,
the gap between the line and the curve
which makes the line look secantial
disappears, hence the line appears
tangential to the curve. Hence from a
zoomed in ‘giant’s’ view, we are able to
see the ‘ant’s’ view of the graph.
The giant is also able to predict the

ant’s view simply by looking at a graph
and envisioning what it would look like
on a micro level.
Question #1.5: How does today’s exploration help answer the question: “What is the
gradient at a point on a curve”
The gradient of a point of the curve is the gradient of the tangent to the
curve at that particular point. Hence, by taking a tangent to the graph at
the point on the graph, and then measuring its slope, we are able to
determine the gradient of the graph at the point to which the line is
tangential to.
Commentary #1.6: Consider how you might wish to change the Year 7
definition of the word “tangent”. Draw some diagrams to explain your
thinking.
When taught in year 7, the tangent was defined as a line which
intersects a circle at exactly one given point. However, after the
previous activities, I would change the definition to: a line which
intersects a curved surface at precisely one point. This would
generalise the term
Calculus: The Big Ideas

1. From the ant’s view, it essentially looks like the ant is walking on a straight line. This
essentially means that from a local or zoomed perspective, a graph looks like a
straight line.
2. The tangent at a point on the curve gives the gradient
Lesson 2:
Commentary #2.1: Summarise
the concept of the gradient
function
The concept which is explored
by the gradient function is the
rate at which the slope or
gradient of a graph changes as
the value of a given x value
changes. Hence, we can use
the gradient function to see how
the gradient of the graph varies
when we change the x values.
As we change the x value, we
also see different values for the
gradient of the curve.
Question #2.2: What do you believe you have discovered about the gradient functions for
polynomials
The gradient function of a linear graph is a constant value, that of a parabola is a linear
graph, while that of a quartic is a cubic. Hence, we can conclude that the gradient function of
a given graph looks like a graph of one degree lower than the highest degree of the original
graph.
Also, constant variables don’t affect the gradient function, e.g. the gradient function of x2 is
the same as x2 + 1
Commentary #2.3: Describe the process to find a close approximation to the tangent at point
To find a close approximation of a tangent to a point on a graph, input progressively smaller
differences between the two x-values of the points used. The smaller the difference gets,
theoretically, the more accurate the gradient of the line between these two points would be
to the gradient at the point.
Question #2.4: What is the mathematical challenge of trying to find the gradient at a single
point on a curve?
The gradient of the graph at a given point is defined as the gradient of the tangent to the
graph at that point. To create a tangent, or line, we must have at least two points to
formulate a line, as a single point on a plane can have infinitely many lines passing through
it. However, a tangent is a line which intersects the curve of the graph at exactly one point,
which cannot be defined as a definite line; this is the challenge of finding the gradient at a
single point.
Lesson 3:
Commentary #3.1: Describe the concept of the Approximate Gradient Function. Consider
how to make it more accurate
The approximate gradient function is a graph which can be used to determine the gradient of
any given point on the original graph from which it is based. It can be achieved by taking the
difference between two y-values or two very close x-values on a graph; hence the name
differentiation. However, by inspecting the function closely, we see that it is essentially the
gradient function, rise/run. f(x+h) = y2, f(x) = y1, x+h = x2 and x = x1. When we put this
together, it gives y2 - y1/x2 - x1 = [f(x+h) - f(x)]/x+h-x = [f(x+h) - f(x)]/h
To make the function more accurate, we have to minimize the difference between the first
and second point, as this will approach the true value of the tangent of the graph at the first
point. This is essentially minimizing h, which we can do theoretically by ‘limiting it to 0’.
Therefore as h → 0, the approximate gradient function will yield something closer to the
actual gradient of the tangent line to that point; hence giving the gradient at that point.
However, we cannot simply just make h = 0, because that would essentially mean the
second and first point have the same x-value and hence are identical points. Creating a
tangent with only a single point instead of two is mathematically implausible.
Question #3.2: What is the rule to find the gradient function for a polynomial?
- Given function is f(x) = xn, f(x+h) = (x+h)n
- Let x+h = v
- Therefore f(x+h) - f(x) = f(v) - f(x) = vn - xn, hence the approximate gradient function of
such a polynomial is: [vn - xn]/v-x
- Using the difference of two powers, vn - xn = (v-x)(vn-1 + vn-2x + vn-3x2… + v2xn-3 + vxn-2 +
xn-1), where there are n terms in the second bracket can be derived
- Therefore, [f(v) - f(x)]/v-x = [(v-x)(vn-1 + vn-2x + vn-3x2… + v2xn-3 + vxn-2 + xn-1)]/v-x from
the approximate gradient function.
- This equals, (vn-1 + vn-2x + vn-3x2… + v2xn-3 + vxn-2 + xn-1), where there are n terms, as
we limit v → x, it equals, (xn-1 + xn-2x + xn-3x2… + x2xn-3 + xxn-2 + xn-1).
- Which also equals, (xn-1 + xn-1 + xn-1… + xn-1 + xn-1 + xn-1) for n terms.
- This equals naxn-1, for polynomial axn
Therefore to find the approximate gradient function of a polynomial xn, use nxn-1. This is
proved by supplementing polynomials and then cross checking with the approximate
gradient function in geogebra. The rule that I derived was also consistent with the results
which I obtained for the rest of the approximate gradient function.
For example, when applying the approximate gradient function to x3+x2-2x+1, we attain that
the gradient function of the graph is 3x2+2x-2. This can be seen by subbing values, which
also remains consistent with the graph.

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Question #1.

1: What does the

On a micro level, the function will

Question #1.3: Can you make some further observations:

The giant is also able to predict the

Calculus: The Big Ideas

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