Covariational Reasoning Lesson 3

Covariational Reasoning on the Hexagon and Octagon Tasks

Continuing their work on the N-gon Task sequence, Zoe and Gisele explore how their graphs change as the shape increases in its number of sides. Through this work, they hone their reasoning for simultaneously varying quantities. This includes a deep dive into how to describe the change in rates of change over consecutive sides of a polygon.

Episode 1: Making Sense

In this lesson, they continue their progression in the N-gon Task sequence, where a point, A, travels counterclockwise around a polygon. In this episode, Zoe and Gisele make sense of the task in the context of a six-sided polygon, a hexagon.

Episode 2: Exploring

In this episode, Zoe and Gisele work on the hexagon task. In this task, they work to create a graph that represents the height of a point, A, as a function of distance traveled as the point travels counterclockwise around a hexagon.

Episode 3: Making Sense

In this episode, Zoe and Gisele make sense of the task in the context of an eight-sided polygon, an octagon.

Episode 4: Exploring

In this episode, Zoe and Gisele work to create a graph that relates the height of point A to its distance traveled as it travels counter-clockwise around an octagon.

Episode 5: Reflecting

Having created two graphs for the octagon, Zoe and Gisele work to describe their graphs and the subtle differences between them. 

Episode 6: Reflecting

Zoe and Gisele decide which graph they believe represents the height of a point as a function of its distance traveled counterclockwise around an octagon. They continue their work to describe, quantitatively, how the height and distance covary over different sides of the polygon.