This applet is similar to Matching Formulas to Data applet in this section but takes a different pedagogical approach. The user can enter data points and then choose from a list of families of functions: linear, surge, trigonometric, logistic, polynomial etc. to match the data points. Current values for parameters in each family are placed right in the formula for the family and change dynamically as the user presses arrows above and below them.
Click the screen shot below to open the applet in a new window:
We found this applet to be pedagogically very effective because students can see clearly the relationship between values of parameters and the changing graph. One level of abstaction with a, b, c, d in each formula is removed.
