Sinusoidal Functions Unit Plan

Connection

1.  At the beginning of the unit ask the student to find a photograph or a computer image of a sinusoidal curve.   Encourage students to find out what be reaonsble units for their photo or image. Placing a grid over top of the picture and using these units to have the students scale the axis properly, the students can find 5 good points on the curve.  By the end of 6.5 the students can then use sinusoidal regression to determine the equation that best fits the data.  

If you show a few examples in class, students will see that such curves are common will be able to find examples on their own.  Create a bullein board of the photos and equations students find.