Mathematics AA HL

Internal Assessment

Graphing the shape of a guitar using functions

When I first began the process of my mathematical investigation, I did not know what I

wanted to explore for my internal assessment. I had too many options. However, as the course

progressed, I decided I wanted to do something related to functions. I chose this area of

mathematics because it is one that I need to improve my skills in. During my mock tests, I

noticed that I was weaker in this area of study and I wanted to challenge myself to hone my

abilities. Functions, at their most basic definition, are “an expression, rule, or law that defines the

relationship between one variable (the independent variable) and another variable (the dependent

variable).” (Brittanica)

The primary tool I will use in this project to graph the functions is the Desmos, an online

graphing calculator. (Desmos) In class my math class I was introduced to a different, similar

software, but I chose to work in Desmos because I am more comfortable working with it due to

using it in my physics course.

To explore this area of mathematics, I will attempt to graph the shape of a guitar using

various types of functions. While examining the shape of my guitar, I recognized that it could be

graphed by combining different types of functions together. I also realized that while it will be

challenging, the shape is symmetrical, meaning that once I am able to graph one side, I can

mirror it across the y-axis. I will use this challenge as a way to further my understanding of how

functions work.

2. Methodology

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 To begin this process, I took a picture of my guitar. While doing this, I attempted to

ensure that the picture was taken directly in front of the guitar to minimize the risk of a parallax

effect. This picture, which will be used to base my sketch on, will be Figure 1.

Figure 1: Picture of guitar

I then used my tablet and traced the picture of my guitar onto a coordinate plane I made

on grid paper. I created a simplified sketch of the guitar, omitting the pickguard, strings, tuning

machines, saddle (while it appears in the sketch, it will not be modeled), and frets, due to the

length constraints of this paper. I initially chose to draw the guitar with its soundhole centered

on the origin. (Figure 2) However, upon further reflection, I decided to redo the sketch and shift

it upward to confine it to the first and second quadrants. I did this to ensure that all of my

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y-values remained positive. This will make my work a little more straightforward. This updated

sketch is Figure 3.

Figure 2: Initial sketch of guitar Figure 3: Updated sketch of guitar

As I mentioned earlier in the introduction, the guitar is a symmetrical object. Therefore, I

should be able to just model the right side of the guitar, which exists in the all-positive values of

the first quadrant, and then mirror it across the y-axis. I will discuss this again in my evaluation,

but my sketch did not come out as cleanly as I had hoped. As I progress through graphing this in

a calculator, I will have to stretch the shape to more cleanly fit intersection points on the plane.

3. Graphing the Guitar

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3.1 Graphing the Soundhole

Figure 4: Highlighted Soundhole Section

The first part of the guitar that I will graph is the soundhole. The green highlighted

section in Figure 4 is the soundhole of the guitar. This can be modeled using a circle function.

2 2 2
The general equation for a circle is: (𝑥 − ℎ) + (𝑦 − 𝑘) = 𝑟 , where (h, k) represents

the location of the circle’s center, and r represents the length of its radius.

The soundhole can be plotted using this formula. The following process was used to

determine the value of h, k, and r:

First, I will find the value of r. To find r, I first had to find the distance between the

rightmost and leftmost points of the circle function. As seen in my sketch, the rightmost point of

the circle lies at the coordinates A(0.90, 5.00), and the leftmost point is at B(-0.90, 5.00).

Therefore, the distance between them can be found using: 0. 90 − (− 0. 90) = 1. 80, giving

the diameter of the circle. The radius can then be found by dividing the diameter by 2:

𝑟 = 1. 80/2 = 0. 90 . The values of h and k are 𝑥 = 0. 00 and 𝑦 = 5. 00 , respectively.

Hence, that gives the equation:

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 2 2 2
(𝑥 − 0. 00) + (𝑦 − 5. 00) = 0. 90

Therefore it creates:

Figure 5: Soundhole Plotted

3.2 Graphing the Base of the Guitar

The second part of the guitar that I will plot is the base. This can be seen in the

highlighted portion of Figure 6.

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 Figure 6: Highlighted Base Section

Initially, I thought that the base of the guitar could be modeled using a simple quadratic

function to form a parabola. However, after further thought I realized that the slope of the

function was steeper than a quadratic function and therefore must be an exponential function.

𝑥
Exponential functions can be written as 𝑦 = 𝑎 .

To graph this function, I split the sketch down the y-axis and first modeled the right side,

and then mirrored it across the axis for the left.

For the right side, I needed to alter the idea of my sketch. I wanted the final graph to be

symmetrical, so I had to stretch the right side of the sketch to where the rightmost point of it

reaches 3 on the x-axis.

Now that I knew I was going to use an exponential function, I had to determine how

many units I needed to shift it by so that it would pass through the point A(3.00, 2.00). It had to

pass through this point so that it would connect with the rest of the guitar.

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 The number of units u can be found using the following:

𝑥+𝑢
𝑒 = 2.00

3.00+𝑢
𝑒 = 2. 00

3. 00 + 𝑢 = 𝑙𝑛 2. 00

𝑢 = − 2. 31

Therefore the equation for the guitar’s right base is:

𝑥−2.31
𝑦 =𝑒 {0. 00 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2. 00} {0. 00 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3. 00}

The function of the left side was obtained by reflecting the right side.

Figure 7: Guitar Base Plotted

3.3 Graphing the Neck of the Guitar

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 This section will focus on the process of graphing the neck of the guitar as highlighted in

Figure 8 below.

Figure 8: Highlighted Neck Sections

This was the section that proved the easiest to graph because the neck is simply two

linear equations. This is also the section where my initial sketch begins to fail to represent the

proportions of the real guitar. In the sketch the lines of the neck appear parallel to each other,

however on the actual guitar, the right line has a very slight negative slope while the left has a

very slight positive slope.

I began with the right side. I decided to have the right line pass through the points

A(0.40, 7.20) and B(0.35, 12.0). The process to find the line was as follows:

𝑦2−𝑦1
First, I found the slope m of the line using the following formula: 𝑚 = 𝑥2−𝑥1

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 12.0−7.20
𝑚= 0.35−0.40

4.8
𝑚= −0.05

𝑚 =− 96

After I obtained the slope, I then used the point-slope formula: 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1) to

find the equation of my linear equation:

𝑦 − 7. 2 = − 96(𝑥 − 0. 40)

𝑦 − 7. 2 = − 96𝑥 + 38. 4

𝑦 = − 96𝑥 + 45. 6

Therefore, the equation for the right line of the neck of the guitar is

𝑦 =− 96𝑥 + 45. 6 {7.2 ≤ y ≤ 12}

To find the left line of the neck, the same equation was reflected over the y-axis.

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 Figure 9: Guitar Neck Plotted

3.4 Graphing the “Shoulders” of the Guitar

The next section will focus on the graphing of the “shoulders” or upper corners of the

guitar body. The areas being graphed are highlighted in Figure 10 below.

Figure 10: Highlighted “Shoulder” Section

Upon examining the right “shoulder” of the guitar, I concluded that it could be modeled

using half of a negative quadratic function. The general equation of a quadratic function has the

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form: 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘. For this form, (h, k) is the coordinate of the vertex of the function,

in this case the maximum of the function. The value a represents the vertical transformation.

From the sketch, I determined that the ending point of the curve was at A(1.90, 6.00). I

then decided that the vertex, maximum, of the function laid at point (0.40, 7.20). Therefore my h

value was 0.40 and my k value was 7.20. In order to find the value of a, I input A(1.90, 6.00) into

the equation:

2
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 0. 40) + 7.20

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 2
6. 00 = 𝑎(1. 90 − 0. 40) + 7. 20

2
6. 00 = 𝑎(1. 50) + 7. 20

− 1. 20 = 2. 25𝑎

𝑎 = − 0. 53

Therefore the equation of the parabola is:

2
𝑦 = − 0. 53(𝑥 − 0. 40) + 7. 20 {0.40 ≤ x ≤ 1.90}

I found the left “shoulder” by reflecting the equation over the y-axis and assigning it the

domain {-1.90 ≤ x ≤ -0.40}.

Figure 11: Plotted “Shoulders”

3.5 Graphing the Headstock

The headstock of the guitar is made up of two different types of functions as seen in

Figure 12 below. For this section, I will break down each function individually to create the

finished headstock.

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 Figure 12: Highlighted Headstock Sections

As seen in Figure 14, the headstock can be broken down into four sections. The first, pink

section, can be graphed using a linear equation for the right-hand side and reflecting it across the

y-axis. The second, orange section, can be modeled using a quadratic function for the right side,

and then reflected across the y-axis. A note about this section is that to rotate the quadratic

function 90 degrees the function will be a function of y: f(y), instead of the standard function of

x: f(x). The third, green section, can be graphed using the same process as the pink section. The

final, blue section, can be modeled using a standard parabolic function.

The pink section was the easiest portion to graph. First I determined that I wanted the

right line to pass through points A( 0.35, 12.0) and B(0.50, 12.3) Similarly to section 3.3, I first

found the slope using the following:

𝑦2−𝑦1
𝑚 = 𝑥2−𝑥1

12.3−12.0
𝑚 = 0.50 − 0.35

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 0.30
𝑚 = 0.15

𝑚 = 2

I then used the slope I found and input it in the point-slope formula:

𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1), to find the equation of the right-hand function:

𝑦 − 12 = 2(𝑥 − 0. 35)

𝑦 − 12 = 2𝑥 − 0. 70

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 11. 3

Therefore, the equation of the right-hand linear equation of the pink section is:

𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 11. 3 {12 ≤ y ≤ 12.3}

To find the left-hand side of the pink section, I reflected the equation for the right side

over the y-axis.

Figure 13: Pink Section Plotted

To graph the orange section, I used a similar process to the one I employed in section 3.4.

However, as I mentioned earlier in this section, because the parabola has been rotated 90 degrees,

the function is now a function of y. Therefore, I will use the general formula:

13
 2
𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑘) + ℎ

The sketch has a vertex, in this case, a minimum, at point (0.35, 13.0). Therefore, h =

0.35 and k = 13.0. The function has an endpoint at point (0.50, 12.3). With this information, I

could solve for a by substituting the variables for the information I have:

2
0. 50 = 𝑎(12. 3 − 13. 0) + 0. 35

0. 15 = 0. 49𝑎

𝑎 = 0. 31

Therefore the equation of the function of the right-hand side of the orange section is:

2
𝑥 = 0. 31(𝑦 − 13) + 0. 35 {12.3 ≤ y ≤ 13.7}

The equation of the left-hand function was found by reflecting the right-hand equation

over the y- axis.

Figure 14: Orange Section Plotted

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 The process of finding the green section was exactly the same as that of the pink section.

I first determined the points the linear equation needed to pass through; A(0.50, 13.7) B(0.35,

14.0) and, and then found the slope using the following:

𝑦2−𝑦1
𝑚 = 𝑥2−𝑥1

14.0 − 13.7
𝑚 = 0.35−0.50

𝑚 = −2

Then I proceeded to find the equation of the right-hand linear function by using the

point-slope form, which I discussed in previous sections.

𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1)

𝑦 − 13. 7 =− 2(𝑥 − 0. 50)

𝑦 − 13. 7 =− 2𝑥 + 1

𝑦 =− 2𝑥 + 14. 7

Therefore, the equation of the right-hand linear equation of the pink section is:

𝑦 =− 2𝑥 + 14. 7 {13.7 ≤ y ≤ 14}

To find the left-hand side of the green section, I reflected the equation for the right side

function over the y-axis.

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 Figure 15: Green Section Plotted

The final portion of the headstock, the blue section, can be modeled using a simple

quadratic function. According to the sketch, it has a vertex, in this case, a minimum, at (0.00,

13.9). Therefore h =0.00 and k = 13.9. The function passes through point A(0.35, 14.0). Then I

followed a similar process to that of the orange section, but with an unmodified standard

equation. I first found the value of a using the following:

2
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘

2
14. 0 = 𝑎(0. 35 − 0. 00) + 13. 9

0. 10 = 0. 12𝑎

𝑎 = 0. 83

Therefore, the equation of the quadratic function of the blue section is:

2
𝑦 = 0. 83(𝑥) + 13. 9 {13.9 ≤ y ≤ 14}

This function, along with the others determined in the previous sections, combine to form

the shape of the guitar’s headstock

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 Figure 16: Blue Section Plotted and Completed Headstock

3.6 Graphing the Lower Sides of the Guitar

The parts of the graph that I focused on next were the lower sides, highlighted in Figure

17.

Figure 17: Highlighted Lower Side Sections

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 To graph the lower sides of the guitar, I decided to use half of a rotated quadratic

function. I also decided to start with the left-hand side and then later reflect it over the y-axis to

obtain the right-hand function. The left-hand function has a vertex at point (-3.00, 2.00).

Therefore h = -3.00 and k = 2.00. The function also needs to pass through the point (-1.90, 4.00)

to later connect with the upper sides. Because the function is rotated, I will use the modified

general formula I discovered in section 3.5:

2
𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑘) + ℎ

First, I needed to solve for a. To do so, I substituted the variables for the data I obtained

from the points:

2
𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑘) + ℎ

2
− 1. 90 = 𝑎(4. 00 − 2. 00) − 3. 00

1. 1 = 4𝑎

𝑎 = 0. 275

Therefore, the equation for the left function of the lower side of the guitar is:

2
𝑥 = 0. 275(𝑦 − 2) − 3. 00 {2 ≤ y ≤ 4.33}

The upper limit of the range was set as such to allow the function to terminate when it

intersects 1.50 on the x-axis. To obtain the right side function, I reflected the left side equation

over the y-axis:

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 Figure 18: Bottom Sides Plotted

3.7 Modifying the “Shoulders” of the Guitar

After completing section 3.8, I realized that I had run into a problem. The shoulders of

the guitar ended going straight down vertically. This meant that when I attempted to connect the

“shoulders” to the upper sides of the guitar it would result in a strange angle. Therefore, I needed

to make some small modifications to the “shoulders”. I decided to address this by graphing

circles and then creating a domain and range to make it appear as a quarter circle.

First, I graphed the right circle. The right circle has a center at point (1.50, 6.00).

Therefore h = 1.50 and k = 6.00. The circle has a rightmost point at A(1.90, 6.00) and a leftmost

point at B(1.1, 6.00). The horizontal distance between the two points is 0.80 hence the diameter

is 0.80. The radius r can be found by dividing the diameter by 2:

𝑟 = 𝑑/2

𝑟 = 0. 80/2

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 𝑟 = 0. 40

Hence, the equation of the right circle was found using the following:

2 2 2
(𝑥 − ℎ) + (𝑦 − 𝑘) = 𝑟

2 2 2
(𝑥 − 1. 50) + (𝑦 − 6. 00) = 0. 40

Therefore the equation of the right circle with a specific range and domain is:

2 2 2
(𝑥 − 1. 50) + (𝑦 − 6. 00) = 0. 40 {1.50 ≤ x ≤ 1.90}{5.60 ≤ y ≤ 6.00}

To graph the left circle, I reflected the equation for the right circle over the y-axis by

making the x negative. The equation for the left circle with a modified domain is:

2 2 2
(− 𝑥 − 1. 50) + (𝑦 − 6. 00) = 0. 40 {-1.90 ≤ x ≤ -1.50}{5.60 ≤ y ≤ 6.00}

Figure 19: Shoulder Modifications Plotted

3.8 Graphing the Top Sides of the Guitar

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 After modifying the guitar “shoulders”, the final part needed to complete the graph of the

guitar was the upper sides. The sketch of these can be seen below in Figure 20.

Figure 20: Highlighted Upper Side Section

I decided to graph the right upper side section by using another quadratic function that is

a function of y because the standard parabolic shape needed to be rotated 90 degrees. The

parabola needed to pass through the point (1.50, 5.60) to connect to the rest of the graph. I

wanted the vertex of the function to be exactly vertically between the endpoints of the modified

shoulder and lower body. I knew that I wanted the x coordinate of the vertex to be 1.35.

However, I did not have the vertical value. The y value of the first endpoint was 5.60, and the

value of the second was 4.33. To find the vertical value of the vertex, I found the average of the

5.60+4.33
y-values of the endpoints: 2
= 4. 97. Hence, the vertex of the quadratic function is

(1.35, 4.97). Therefore h = 1.35 and k = 4.97.

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 Once I obtained the vertex, I could use the data and substitute it into my modified general

quadratic equation for a function of y, to solve for a in said equation:

2
𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑘) + ℎ

2
1. 50 = 𝑎(5. 60 − 4. 97) + 1. 35

0. 15 = 0. 39𝑎

𝑎 = 0. 38

Hence, the equation for the quadratic function for the right upper side of the guitar is:

2
𝑥 = 0. 38(𝑦 − 4. 97) + 1. 35{4.33 ≤ y ≤ 5.60}

The equation for the left quadratic function was obtained by reflecting the right equation

over the y-axis.

Figure 21: Plotted Upper Sides

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 Figure 22: Fully Plotted Guitar

4. Conclusion and Evaluation

The purpose of this investigation was to attempt to graph the complex shape of my guitar

using the knowledge I acquired from my years in the diploma program. While my graph is not

perfect, I believe that this investigation was mostly successful. When I began this project, I

seriously doubted my ability to take on a task of this nature. As I mentioned in the introduction,

functions have never been a strong suit of mine. I was extremely nervous to undertake this

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investigation, but on the other side, I am glad I did. I feel that my skills in this area of study have

greatly improved through this process.

5. Bibliography

Desmos Graphing Calculator. 2024. Retrieved from https://www.desmos.com/calculator

“Function | Definition, Types, Examples, and Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Jan. 2024,

www.britannica.com/science/function-mathematics.

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