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Bug On A Square Track

The document describes a bug traveling counterclockwise around a square track. It provides a table tracking the bug's position (x,y) coordinates after traveling different distances (t) around the square. The document asks the reader to complete the table, define functions for the x-coordinate (C(t)) and y-coordinate (S(t)) of the bug's position over time, and represent these functions as piecewise functions.

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anniemarieevans
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478 views

Bug On A Square Track

The document describes a bug traveling counterclockwise around a square track. It provides a table tracking the bug's position (x,y) coordinates after traveling different distances (t) around the square. The document asks the reader to complete the table, define functions for the x-coordinate (C(t)) and y-coordinate (S(t)) of the bug's position over time, and represent these functions as piecewise functions.

Uploaded by

anniemarieevans
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Bug on a Square Track

Suppose a bug travels counterclockwise around a square track as shown:

Assume the bug begins at the point (1,0) and walks t units along the
square , carefully staying on the track. Let P(t) be the point (x,y)
on the square which is the location of the bug after it has walked
exactly t units from (1,0), travelling counterclockwise.

For example, 1. When t=1, P(1) = (1,1) 2. When t=2, P(2) =(0,1)

Question: How far does the bug have to travel to go around the square exactly once? t= _____

We want to create a correspondence between the distance t that the bug has travelled and the location point
P(t) on the square which represents the bug’s position. Complete the table shown below.

t 0 .5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

P(t) (1,1) (0,1)

t 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5

P(t)

Questions:
1. The ordered pair which corresponds to t = 8.5 is the same as the ordered pair for t = ________.
2. The ordered pair which corresponds to t = 13 is the same as the ordered pair for t = ________.

A function C(t) is defined as follows:

C(t) is the x-coordinate of the location point P(t).

For example, C(1)=1 and C(2)=0. Using the table above, C(1.5) = _____ , C(4) = _____ , C(5.5) = ______
Also,a function S(t) is defined as follows:

S(t) is the y-coordinate of the location point P(t).

For example, S(1) =1 and S(2) = 1. Using the table above, S(1.5) = _____ , S(4) = _____ , S(5.5) = ______

Let’s create a scatterplot for the functions y=C(t) and y=S(t). Enter the t values (0≤t≤8) from your chart into
L1 of your List Editor, the x-coordinates of the location point P(t) in L2, and the y-coordinates of the location
point P(t) in L3.

Set up a scatterplot for the t values (L1) vs.


the x-coordinates (L2). Show your scatterplot.

We want to graph the function y=C(t). Connect the points on your scatterplot with straight line segments. (Note:
This represents one complete trip around the square by the bug.)

The graph of C(t) can be defined as a piecewise defined function. Write a piecewise defined function which
represents the function y=C(t). (Extra: Can you graph the function y=C(t) on your graphing calculator?)

⎧
⎪
⎪
⎪
C(t) = ⎨
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩

Set up a scatterplot for the t values (L1) vs.


the y-coordinates (L3). Show your scatterplot.

We want to graph the function y=S(t). Connect the points on your scatterplot with straight line segments.

Again, write a piecewise defined function which represents the function y=S(t). (Extra: Can you graph the
function y=S(t) on your graphing calculator?)

⎧
⎪
⎪
⎪
S(t) = ⎨
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩

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