The Function Gallery

Abstract

Each graph below is a real world data set with a fitted curve. The fitted curves will be used throughout the text. Note that each graph caption provides the function of the fitted curve, as well as, the beginning and end of the data set where appropriate. These functions are here to generally demonstrate the idea of curve fitting as a way functions are created and specifically to see how well the curves fit the particular data. Examples that are current will be updated and posted on the companion web site https://sustainabilitymath.org/acr/ along with the data and R code for the curve fitting. The exercises at the end of this chapter will help you get used to using functions with units and context. TIP: Once you type these functions into an R script you should save the code so you don’t have to type the function into R repeatedly. WARNING: If you copy and paste the functions in the captions from a pdf into R it may not work, especially if you are using a mac. The most common problem is the negative sign is incorrect, but it can be deleted and retyped.