Functions as Art
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In this project, students began by picking a piece of art. Choices ranged from classical Baroque to modern cartoon, relating to students’ interests and preferences. With their images selected, they began tracing the major elements with different types of equations. Students were challenged to use a variety of different equations, including lines, parabolas, exponentials, and square roots. They used different mathematical tools—transformations—to adjust their equations to fit the lines of their artwork as best as possible.
Everyone found new ways to challenge themselves, such as by using complex equations—including circles, ellipses, and trigonometric functions—or trying to trace extensive lines with fewer equations. The results are both beautiful and a feat of mathematical thinking! Please enjoy the slideshow of their work. Click on the pieces to see their graphs and the math behind each work of art!
Click below to read the students’ arthematician statements, which explain both their artistic and mathematical ideas!
