Background Tutorials

• Use a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the plane located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel from the origin in the direction of one axis, and the second number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond (e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate).

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    What is the X-Axis?

    To graph a function or plot an ordered pair, you need to use a coordinate plane, so you should learn all about it! In this tutorial, you'll learn about the x-axis and see where it's located in the coordinate plane.

• Find and position integers and other rational numbers on a horizontal or vertical number line diagram; find and position pairs of integers and other rational numbers on a coordinate plane.

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    How Do You Plot Points in the Coordinate Plane?

    Knowing how to plot ordered pairs is an essential part of graphing functions. In this tutorial, you'll see how to take an ordered pair and plot it on the coordinate plane. Take a look!

• Understand that a function is a rule that assigns to each input exactly one output. The graph of a function is the set of ordered pairs consisting of an input and the corresponding output.

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    What's a Function?

    You can't go through algebra without learning about functions. This tutorial shows you a great approach to thinking about functions! Learn the definition of a function and see the different ways functions can be represented. Take a look!

• Use the properties of exponents to transform expressions for exponential functions.

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    What's an Exponential Function?

    Looking at an equation with a variable in the exponent? You have an exponential function! Learn about exponential functions in this tutorial.

• Graph exponential and logarithmic functions, showing intercepts and end behavior, and trigonometric functions, showing period, midline, and amplitude.

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    What is the Natural Base Exponential Function?

    The natural base exponential function is actually a function that's shorter than its name! This tutorial introduces you to this special function and shows you what it looks like.

• Understand the inverse relationship between exponents and logarithms and use this relationship to solve problems involving logarithms and exponents.

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    What is e?

    In math, 'e' isn't just a letter, it's an irrational number! This tutorial shows you how mathematicians use the letter 'e' to represent a specific value and how having a base of 'e' is called a natural base.