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CIE A Level Maths: Pure 1 Your notes

1.4 Graphs of Functions

Contents
1.4.1 Sketching Polynomials
1.4.2 Reciprocal Graphs - Sketching
1.4.3 Solving Equations Graphically
1.4.4 Proportional Relationships

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1.4.1 Sketching Polynomials

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Sketching Polynomials
Sketching the graph of a polynomial
Remember a polynomial is any finite function with non-negative indices, that could mean a quadratic,
cubic, quartic or higher power

When asked to sketch a polynomial you'll need to think about the following
y-axis intercept
x-axis intercepts (roots)
turning points (maximum and/or minimum)
a smooth curve (this takes practice!)
How do I sketch a graph of a polynomial?
STEP 1 Find the y-axis intercept by setting x = 0
STEP 2 Find the x-axis intercepts (roots) by setting y = 0

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STEP 3 Consider the shape and “start”/”end” of the graph

eg. a positive cubic graph starts in third quadrant (“bottom left”) and “ends” in first quadrant Your notes
(“top right”)
STEP 4 Consider where any turning points should go
STEP 5 Draw with a smooth curve

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Coordinates of turning points can be found using differentiation

Except with a point of inflection, repeated roots indicate the graph touches the x-axis

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1.4.2 Reciprocal Graphs - Sketching

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Reciprocal Graphs - Sketching
What are reciprocal graphs?
1
Reciprocal graphs involve equations with an x term on the denominator e.g.
x
There are two basic reciprocal graphs to know for A level
1 1
y= and y = 2
x x
The second one of these is always positive

More reciprocal graphs

You also need to recognise graphs where the numerator is not one

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The sign of a shows which part of the graph the curves are located
The size of a shows how steep the curves are Your notes
The closer a is to 0 the more L-shaped the curves are

horizontal, y = 0 (x-axis)
vertical, x = 0 (y-axis)All have two asymptotes
How do I sketch a reciprocal graph?

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STEP 1 Use the sign of “a” to locate the curves

and use the size of “a” to gauge the steepness of the curve
STEP 2 Sketch the graph
STEP 3 Label the points x = 1 and x = -1 as a guide to the scale of your graph
STEP 4 Draw asymptotes with a dotted line Draw asymptotes with dotted lines

These graphs do not intercept either axis

Graph transformations of them could cross the axes (see Translations)

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1.4.3 Solving Equations Graphically

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Solving Equations Graphically
Solving (simultaneous) equations graphically

This is a way to solve simultaneous equations (see Simultaneous Equations)

Coordinates of the intersections are the solutions

How do I solve simultaneous equations using a graph?

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Use graphs and algebra together

Sketch a graph if it has not been given
Read/interpret a graph if it has been given

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It can be difficult to tell from a sketch if graphs intersect once, more, or not at all

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Examiner Tip
When writing out your solutions to simultaneous equations, always pair the correct x solution with the
correct y solution

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1.4.4 Proportional Relationships

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Proportional Relationships
Proportional relationships
Proportional relationships describe a proportional connection between two variables
This can happen in two ways
Direct proportion y = kx
one variable increases or decreases the other does the same
k
Inverse proportion y =
x
one variable increases the other decreases and vice versa
Proportional relationships use the symbol ∝ which means is proportional to

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Both direct and inverse proportion can be represented graphically Your notes
Direct proportion creates a linear graph where k is the gradient
Inverse proportion creates a reciprocal graph
Direct proportion
y ∝ x means y is proportional to x
y increases as x does, k determines the rate (gradient)
by changing this to the equation y = kx we can substitute in given values and solve to find k
Note that this means the ratio of x and y is constant k = y / x

Inverse proportion
1 1
y∝ means y is proportional to or y is inversely proportional to x
x x
y decreases as x increases and vice versa, k determines the rate
k
by changing this to the equation y = we can substitute in given values and solve to find k
x
Note that this means the product of x and y is constant k = xy

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Set up your proportional relationship using ∝ then change to = k

Be clear about what y is proportional to …
“… the square of x” (x2)
“… x plus four” (x + 4)
Calculate or deduce the value of k from the information given or a graph
Once you've found k sub it back in to your original proportion equation
You can now find any values using this proportional relationship
y = mx + c rearranges to y – c = mx so (y - c) is directly proportional to x
Proportional relationships are often used in modelling

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