138 3 A Look Back Up to now, our discussion has focused on equations and functions and their graphs. We graphed equations by plotting points, using intercepts, and testing for symmetry. We learned to identify whether a relation represents a function, and we discussed properties of functions, such as domain/ range, increasing/decreasing, even/odd, and average rate of change. Using this information, we developed a library of functions and analyzed piecewise-defined functions. Finally, we used transformations to graph new functions from the graphs of the familiar functions listed in the library of functions. A Look Ahead Now we begin looking at classes of functions. This chapter focuses on linear and quadratic functions, their properties, and their applications. The Beta of a Stock Investing in the stock market can be rewarding and fun, but how does one go about selecting which stocks to purchase? Financial investment firms hire thousands of analysts who track individual stocks (equities) and assess the value of the underlying company. One measure the analysts consider is the beta of the stock. Beta measures the risk of an individual company’s equity relative to that of a market basket of stocks, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500. But how is beta computed? —See the Internet-based Chapter Project— Outline 3. 1 Properties of Linear Functions and Linear Models 3. 2 Building Linear Models from Data 3. 3 Quadratic Functions and Their Properties 3. 4 Building Quadratic Models from Verbal Descriptions and from Data 3. 5 Inequalities Involving Quadratic Functions Chapter Review Chapter Test Cumulative Review Chapter Project Linear and Quadratic Functions Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock
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