Functions and Sound (Algebra 2)

Students discover how sound waves can be modeled mathematically. After a brief overview of the mechanics of sound, students learn that the graph of a sine function is a wave, much like a sound wave, so sound waves can be modeled using sine functions. Students investigate and compare quatdratic, exponential, logarithmic, and sine functions and the graphs that represent them. By experimenting with these equations, students understand how variables and constants affect the shapes of their graphs, and then apply what they have learned to generate tones that differ in pitch and volume.