Guessing the Graph

Can you suggest a curve to fit some experimental data? Can you work out where the data might have come from?

Back Fitter

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

After a while spent as a toughnut, we recieved the solution to this problem. We were very pleased to see that one of our younger solvers, Jonathan, realised that the first graph was $y=0.5 x$. Impressively, a full solution was sent in by James from Bay House, where all of his functions gave a close fit with the data -- well done James!

James' suggestions agreed with ours in six of the cases, but differed in four cases. Perhaps you might like to consider which you feel are the closer fit?

Experiment 1: $y=x/2$

Experiment 2: $y=\sin(x) $

Experiment 3: $y=x^2$

Experiment 4: $y=x-\sin(2x)$

Experiment 5: $y=5\log_{45}(x+1)$ (we got $\sqrt{x}$)

Experiment 6: $y=(\sin(1.7x)+1)/2$ (we got $\sin^2(x)$)

Experiment 7: $y=-0.6+(\log_{10}(6x))^{-1}$ (we got $\frac{1}{1+x^2}$)

Experiment 8: $y=\log_{15}(7x+1)$ (we got $1.65x/(1+x)$)

Experiment 9: $y=\cos(2x)$

Experiment 10: $y=2^x$

Families of Graphs. Curve Fitting. Estimating and approximating. biology. Mathematical modelling. Turning points. Asymptotes. Maths Supporting SET. Graph sketching. Investigations.

You may also like

Guessing the Graph

Back Fitter

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: