Activity Overview
Students will learn how step functions apply to real-world situations, about the notation associated with the greatest integer and least integer functions, and how to transform the greatest integer function.
Before the Activity
Each student should have access to TI-83 or TI-84.
During the Activity
Use the PowerPoint to guide students through the reasons for learning about step functions and the notation associated with the greatest integer and least integer functions. The phone & postage rate examples in the PowerPoint are slightly different from those in the student handout to provide additional examples for the students.
The second part of this activity, transforming the greatest integer function, is written with the assumption that students have already transformed absolute value & quadratic functions.
After the Activity
Review activity and repeat steps as needed.