XT - MATHS Grade 11

Subject: Functions 1: Parabolas and Lines

Total Marks: 66

Date: 2010/06/29

1. FALSE

Explanation: A point is an ordered pair of numbers, consisting of an x- and a y-coordinate.

Only the x-coordinates were given here.
The points are:
3x2 + x = 3x + 1
2
3x - 2x - 1 = 0
(3x + 1)(x - 1) = 0
3x + 1 = 0 or x - 1 = 0
x=1
x = - or
y = 3() + 1 = 2 or
y = 3(1) + 1 = 4
So the points are (; 2) and (1; 4).
2. TRUE

Explanation: There are two ways of determining the turning point of a parabola at this stage:
Complete the square, or
Use the turning point formula

Metode 1 :

Complete the square

g( x) = 2 x

+ 4x 3

)
= 2 ( x 2 x + 1) 1 + 3
2

= 2 x

2x + 3
2

2
= 2 ( x 1 ) + 1

2
2

= 2 ( x 1) 1
2

Parabolas of the form y = a ( x p) + q have a turning point at ( p ; q ) .

Therefore, the turning point of g ( x ) is at ( 1; 1 ).
Metode 2 : Use the turning point formula
For the general parabola with equation y = ax
At the turning point: x =
=

+ bx + c :

b
a
4
2

= 1
Now:
2

y = 2 (1) + 4 (1) 3
= 2 + 4 3
= 1
Therefore, the turning point of g ( x ) is at ( 1; 1 ).
Because the arms of the parabola will be pointing down (as a = 2, which is smaller than 0), the turning
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point will be the maximum point of the parabola.

3. FALSE

Explanation: y -intercept:

x = 0
2

y = 3x

4x 4
2

= 3(0) 4(0) 4
= 4
Therefore, the coordinates of the y -intercept are ( 0 ; 4 ).
4. B
Explanation:

Substitute the turning point into y = a ( x p )

+ q:
y = a( x 1)

6 = a( 2 1)

+ 4 .......... (1)

Now substitute the point (2 ; 6) into the equation:

+ 4

6 = a+ 4
a = 2
Substitute a = 2 into (1):

y = 2( 2 1)

+ 4

2
= 2 x 2 x + 1 + 4

= 2x 4x + 2 + 4
2

= 2x 4x + 6

5. A

Explanation: The roots of this equation are 3 and 2.

Substitute these roots into y = a ( x m ) ( x n ) :

y = a ( x 3 ) ( x ( 2) )
y = a ( x 3 ) ( x + 2 ) .......... (1)
Substitute the point ( 1; 12 ) into this equation:
12 = a ( 1 3 ) ( 1 + 2 )
12 = a ( 2 ) ( 3 )
12 = 6 a
a = 2
Substitute a = 2 into (1):

y = 2( x 3)( x + 2)

y = 2 x

y = 2x

x 6

2 x 12
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6. C

Explanation:
2

For y = ax + bx + c :

x =
If b

b 4ac
2a
2

< 4ac , then b 4ac < 0.

This would mean that the value under the square root sign is negative.
Thus the roots of the function are non-real, and hence the graph of the function will not cut the x-axis.
7. A

Explanation: Since the coordinates of the x -intercepts are known and since the coordinates of
the turning point are not, you need to use the formula y = a ( x m ) ( x n ) ,
where m and n are the x -intercepts of the graph.

Substitute the x -intercepts into y = a ( x m ) ( x n ) :

y = a ( x (5) ) ( x 2 )
y = a ( x + 5 ) ( x 2 ) .......... (1)

Substitute the y -intercept into this equation:

10 = a ( 0 + 5 ) ( 0 2 )

10 = a ( 5 ) ( 2 )

10 = 10 a

a = 1

[ Warning : Don't just assume a = 1! Work it out! ]

Substitute a = 1 into (1):

y = 1 ( x + 5) ( x 2 )
y = ( x + 5) ( x 2 )
y = x

+ 3 x 10

8. secant

Explanation: To determine whether the line is a tangent or a secant, first determine how many points of intersection
there will be between the line and the parabola.
x2 - 5x + 2 = x - 3
x2 - 6x + 5 = 0
(x - 5)(x - 1) = 0
x = 5 or x = 1
y = (1) - 3 = - 2 or
y = (5) - 3 = 2
There are two points of intersection (1; -2) and (5; 2) between the line and the curve.
So the line is a secant to the curve.

9. tangent

Explanation: To determine whether the line is a tangent or a secant, first determine how many points of intersection
there will be between the line and the parabola.
x2 + 3x - 2 = x - 3
x2 + 2x + 1 = 0
(x + 1)2 = 0
x = -1
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y = (-1) - 3 = - 4
There is only one point of intersection (-1; -4) between the line and the curve.
So the line is a tangent to the curve.

10. (0; -3)

Explanation:

2
2

In general, a parabola of the form y = a ( x p) + q has ( p ; q ) as its turning

point.
2

Hence the turning point of the function f ( x ) = 3 ( x + 1) 2 is ( 1; 2).

Because a = 3 (a < 0), the arms of the graph are pointing down.
The y -intercept of the graph:
2

f (0) = 3 (0 + 1) 2
= 5
If the graph is now vertically translated so that its turning point rests on the x -axis,
the new turning point will be ( 1; 0). Thus the graph (i.e. every point on the graph)
must be shifted 2 units up. If the old y -intercept is shifted 2 units up, the new
y -intercept will be 3.

11. maximum

Explanation: The coefficient of x2 is negative, thus the arms will be pointing down.
Therefore this function will have a maximum value.
12. (1)

( 21 ;

41
2

(2) y = 2x2 2x + 5
(3) non-real
Explanation:
(1) In the form y = a(x - p)2 + q, the turning point is given by (p; q).

The coordinates of the turning point :

1
2

; 41

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( ) +4
y = 2( x )( x ) + 4

(2)

y = 2 x

1
2

1
2

1
2

1
2

2
y = 2 x x +

y = 2x
y = 2x

2
2

1
4

1
2

1
+ 42

2x + 1 + 4 1
2
2
2x + 5

(3) To determine the roots we must use the quadratic formula,

as the equation y = 2x2 - 2x + 5 cannot factorise.

y = 2 x2 - 2 x + 5

b b2 4ac
2a

x=

( 2 ) ( 2 )2 4( 2 )( 5 )
2( 2 )

2 36
4
The fact that a negative value appears under the square root implies there are no real roots.
Thus the roots are non-real.

13. (1) ( 2 ; 3 )

(2) ( 2 ; 6 )
(3) f (x) = 3x2 - 12x + 18
Explanation: (1) In general, a parabola of the form y = a(x - p)2 + q has (p; q) as its turning point.
Thus the turning point of this function is (2; 3).
(2) When the graph is moved vertically, the intercepts on the axes
and the y-coordinate of the turning point will change.
The axis of symmetry will stay the same.
The y-coordinate of the turning point is 3.
If it is moved three units up: 3 + 3 = 6.
The turning point of the new function will then be ( 2 ; 6 ).
(3) Replace the turning point of the original function by the new turning point:
2

f ( x ) = 3( x 2 ) + 6
= 3( x
= 3x
= 3x

2
2

4 x + 4) + 6
12 x + 12 + 6
12 x + 18

14. (1) ( 2 ; 0 )

(2) y = - x2 - x + 6
(3) y = x2 + x - 6
Explanation: (1) The points ( 3 ; 0 ) and A are the same distance from the axis of symmetry.

The point ( 3 ; 0 ) is 2

1
2

units from the axis of symmetry.

Therefore, the x -coordinate of point A is :

Therefore, the coordinates of A are ( 2 ; 0 ).

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1 + 21 = 2
2

(2) You could use either one of two methods to find the equation of this graph.
- You could substitute the x-intercepts and the turning point into this formula:
y = a ( x m )( x n )
- The turning point can be substituted into the equation:
2

y = a( x p ) + q
y = a

( x ( ) )

y = a

(x + )

1
2

1
2

+6

1
4

25
4

Now, substitute the coordinates of any one of the x-intercepts into this equation:

y = a

(x + )

0 = a

(2 + )

0 = a

( )

0 =

25
4

25 a =

25
4

1
2

1
2

5
2

a+

25
4

25
4

25
4

25
4

a = 1
Therefore

y = 1

( x + ))
1
2

2
y = 1 x + x +

y = x
y = x
y = x

2
2
2

1
4

x +

24
4

+
1
4

25
4

25
4

25
4

x +6

(3) For a reflection about the x-axis, (x; y) becomes (x; -y).

y = -x2 - x + 6 becomes - y = -x2 - x + 6

y = x2 + x - 6
15. D

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Explanation: The coordinates of the turning point is known.

Substitute the turning point into y = a ( x p )

+ q:
y = a ( x ( 4) )

y = a( x + 4)

+0

+ 0 .......... (1)

Substitute the point ( 2 ; 8 ) into this equation:

8 = a ( 2 + 4 )
8 = a(2 )

+0

8 = 4a
a = 2
y = 2( x + 4)

Substitute a = 2 into (1):

+ 0

y = 2 x + 8 x + 16

y = 2 x + 16 x + 32
15 Questions, 7 Pages

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