What Can You See?

Language English

This lesson's objective is to recognize the linear and quadratic parent functions given a graph or verbal description.

What is a parent function?

A parent function is the most basic form of a function. It has the same basic properties as others like it, but it has not been moved or stretched in any direction or skewed in any way.

Why do we care?

Parent functions allow us to quickly tell certain traits of their “children”. For example, my parents have brown eyes and I have brown eyes. Most people could guess the color of my eyes by meeting my parents.

IMPORTANT! You must know whether the traits of a function are related to linear (y = x) or quadratic (y = x2) parent functions.

If you would like to review the parent functions of several different graphs, click on this presentation to review the names and shapes of the algebraic parent functions.

Parent Functions

View more presentations from VLB10525

Source: VLB10525, slideshare

Interactive: Linear Function Lab

Language English

You can use a graphing calculator or the graphing utility linked below to discover information about the linear parent function.

For this interactive activity, assistance may be required. Click here to open the interactive Graph Sketcher in a new window.

Input x under the equation editor button Y= on the graphing calculator, or y(x) = on the graphing utility link, and then click graph. This is the linear parent function.

Screen shot of graphing utility showing y=x

Explore the graphs of linear functions by adding or subtracting values to x (such as y = x + 2) or by multiplying x by a constant (such as y = 3x). Remember only y = x is the linear parent function.

Source: Graph Sketcher, Shodor

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OnTRACK Lessons for Algebra I are supplementary lessons that align with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. The lessons use video, graphics, and online activities to support classroom instruction and facilitate individualized intervention for students. While these lessons are organized as a Project Share “course,” they do not cover every student expectation in the TEKS for the corresponding SBOE-approved course. Students cannot earn course credit by completing OnTRACK lessons.

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