Graphing-functions
Graphing-functions
Any function 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) can be graphed by making a table of x-values and corresponding y-values.
Quadratics
The highest power of x is 2 for all Quadratic
functions. They are of the form
𝒚𝒚 = 𝒂𝒂𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 + 𝒄𝒄
Their graph shape is called a parabola.
• c is the y-intercept.
• Solve the quadratic at 𝑦𝑦 = 0 to get
the roots (or zeros) of the equation
which are the x- intercepts.
• a affects the steepness of the
parabola.
• a being negative means it’s upside
down.
𝑏𝑏
• The axis of symmetry is at 𝑥𝑥 = −
2𝑎𝑎
𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏2
• The vertex is �− , 𝑐𝑐 − �
2𝑎𝑎 2𝑎𝑎
• Alternatively, complete the square so
𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘𝑘
then the vertex is (ℎ, 𝑘𝑘)
Exercises
1) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − 3)(𝑥𝑥 + 1) (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 − 8
Cubics
The highest power of 𝑥𝑥 is 3. Cubic functions are of the form 𝒚𝒚 = 𝒂𝒂𝒙𝒙𝟑𝟑 + 𝒃𝒃𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 + 𝒅𝒅
• The 𝑦𝑦-intercept is 𝑑𝑑.
• A cubic in factorised form 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑏𝑏)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑐𝑐) means the x- intercepts are 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏,
and 𝑐𝑐.
Exercises
2) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 3) (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 3 − 2
Hyperbolas
𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
Simple hyperbola equations 𝑦𝑦 = or 𝑦𝑦 = where 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏, 𝑐𝑐 can be positive or negative
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐
Exercises
−3 4
3) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = (b) 𝑦𝑦 =
𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 − 1
Exponentials
Have equations of the form 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥
Exercises
4) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = 3𝑥𝑥 (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 4 × 3𝑥𝑥 (c) 𝑦𝑦 = −2 × 3𝑥𝑥 (d) 𝑦𝑦 = 2 × 3−𝑥𝑥
Logarithms
Have equations of the form 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑎𝑎 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)
Exercises
5) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = log 2 𝑥𝑥 (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 2 log 3 𝑥𝑥 (c) 𝑦𝑦 = 1 + log 3 𝑥𝑥
Circles
Have equations where both 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 have degree 2
Example: 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2 = 4
If your equation is not in this form complete the square for 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 to put it into this form.
Exercises
6) Graph (a) (𝑥𝑥 − 3)2 + (𝑦𝑦 − 1)2 = 16 (b) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2 + 2𝑦𝑦 + 5 = 4
Answers
1. (a) (b)
2. (a) (b)
3. (a) (b)
4. (a) (b)
4. (c) (d)