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4 Graphing Functions The Parabola

The document provides information about graphing functions such as straight lines, parabolas, hyperbolas, and exponential functions. It discusses the basic forms of these functions and how their graphs can be transformed through parameters like a and q. Specifically for parabolas, it defines the standard form equation, key features of parabolas including orientation, y-intercepts, x-intercepts, and turning points. It provides step-by-step worked examples of graphing parabolic functions and highlights how changing coefficients affects the graph.

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Nhlanhla Hlátz
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371 views4 pages

4 Graphing Functions The Parabola

The document provides information about graphing functions such as straight lines, parabolas, hyperbolas, and exponential functions. It discusses the basic forms of these functions and how their graphs can be transformed through parameters like a and q. Specifically for parabolas, it defines the standard form equation, key features of parabolas including orientation, y-intercepts, x-intercepts, and turning points. It provides step-by-step worked examples of graphing parabolic functions and highlights how changing coefficients affects the graph.

Uploaded by

Nhlanhla Hlátz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GRAPHING FUNCTIONS

In Grade 10 we will continue to focus on the linear function and introduce 3 new
functions.

We begin by looking at the basic form of the equation and the graph of each function.

THE “BASIC GRAPHS”

Each function has a “base graph” from which other graphs are derived.

1. Straight line: 𝒚 = 𝒙 2. Parabola: 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐


𝑦 𝑦

O 𝑥

O 𝑥

𝟏
3. Hyperbola: 𝒚 = 𝒙 4. Exponential: 𝑦 = 𝑏 𝑥
where 𝑏 > 0; 𝑏 ≠ 1
𝑦
𝑦

O 𝑥
(0;1)

O 𝑥

TRANSFORMING THE GRAPHS

We are interested in two parameters, 𝒂 and 𝒒, that will transform these graphs:

Straight Line: 𝑦 = 𝒂𝑥 + 𝒒
Parabola: 𝑦 = 𝒂𝑥 2 + 𝒒
𝒂
Hyperbola: 𝑦 =𝑥+𝒒

Exponential: 𝑦 = 𝒂. 𝑏 𝑥 + 𝒒

1
Our aim is to sketch the graph of a function by:
• firstly recognising the standard form of the equation
• knowing what the basic shape of the graph is
• understanding the effect of changing different parts of the equation on the
shape, orientation and position of the graph.
• determining and plotting only critical points in order to sketch the graph of a
function.

THE QUADRATIC FUNCTION (called a PARABOLA)

Standard Form Equation: 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒒 y

All parabolas have certain features in common:


• a shape symmetrical about a vertical
line (the "axis of symmetry")
• a turning-point, at the base of the
0
• a y-intercept x
• either 0, 1 or 2 𝑥-intercepts
turning point

CHANGING THE 𝒂 VALUE in the equation, causes:

• a vertical ‘stretch or compression’ of the graph. If ′𝒂′ (regardless of the sign) is


large the parabola is narrower. If 𝒂 is small (regardless of the sign) then
parabola is wider.

• if 𝑎 < 0 the parabola is reflected in the 𝑥-axis (flipped upside down)

2
CHANGING THE 𝒒 VALUE in the equation causes:

• a vertical shift in the graph.


If ′𝒒′ is a positive value then the graph shifts up e.g. if 𝑞 = 5 then the parabola
shifts up by 5 units
if 𝒒 is a negative value then the graph shifts down e.g. if 𝑞 = −2 then the
parabola shifts down by 2 units
𝑦

𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 2

𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 1

𝑦 = 𝑥2 𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 1
𝑥

𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 2

Steps defined in the drawing of a Parabola:

1.) Orientation: Does the parabola have arms up or down ?


This can be determined by examining the value of 𝒂 (the coefficient of x2).
If 𝒂 > 𝟎 then the parabola points has arms up (or has a minimum value)
v
If 𝒂 < 𝟎 then the parabola points down (or has a maximum value)

2.) The 𝒚-intercept - every parabola has a 𝑦-intercept.


This can be found in the usual way i.e. by putting 𝒙 = 𝟎 and solving for 𝒚.

3.) The 𝒙-intercept(s) - A parabola may have 0, 1 or 2 𝑥-intercepts


These can also be found in the usual way: i.e. putting 𝒚 = 𝟎 and solving for 𝒙.
This gives an equation, which can be solved by factorising .

4.) The Turning Point - every parabola has one turning-point.


In the graph 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑞 the turning point coincides with the 𝒚-intercept.

5.) Make sure that there are labels on the axes, turning point/𝑦-intercept, 𝑥-
intercept(s) and any symmetry points needed.

Note: Your graph does not need to be perfectly to scale, but needs to be
representative of the function and clear.
It must be a SMOOTH CURVE that is not made up of straight lines at all (no
rulers allowed!)
It is very important that the parabola gets wider and wider – it NEVER becomes
vertical so that the arms look like they are parallel to the 𝑦-axis!

3
WORKED EXAMPLES

e.g.1 Draw the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 – 4 y


This is a parabola
1) Shape: 𝑎 = 1, 𝑎 > 0, parabola
has ‘arms’ up
-2 2 x
2) 𝑦-intercept (when 𝑥 = 0):
𝑦 = 02 − 4 , 𝑦 = − 4
3) 𝑥-intercepts:  𝑥 2 − 4 = 0
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2) = 0 (0;-4)
𝑥 = −2 𝑜𝑟 2
4) Turning-Point: (0;-4)
Note: arms up shifted down so two
5) Labels
𝑥 intercepts
e.g.2 Draw the graph of 𝑦 = − 3𝑥 2
Note: no shift so only one 𝑥 intercept
This is a parabola y
1) Shape: 𝑎 = −3, 𝑎 < 0,  parabola
points down (0;0)
2) 𝑦-intercept: 𝑦 = −3(0)2 = 0 x
3) 𝑥-intercepts: 0 = −3𝑥 , 𝑥 = 0
2
(-1;-3). . (1;-3)
4) Turning-Point: (0;0)
Because we have only one intercept
point (0;0) you need to show "symmetry points"
on the graph – these are found by substituting
any 𝑥-values that are symmetrical about the 𝑦-axis
(e.g. 𝑥 = −1 and 𝑥 = 1 or 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 2 ), into the equation.
Let 𝑥 = −1 then 𝑦 = −3(−1)2 = −3
Let 𝑥 = 1 then 𝑦 = − 3(1)2 = −3
 (-1; -3) and (1;-3)
4) Labels

e.g.3 Draw the graph of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 4 𝑦

1.) Shape: 𝑎 = 2  𝑎 > 0, parabola points up.


2.) 𝑦-intercept: 𝑦 = 2(0)2 + 4 = 4
3.) 𝑥-intercepts:  𝑥 2 + 4 = 0 (-1;6). . (1;6)
 𝑥 = −4 which is not possible
2

There are no 𝑥-intercepts


4.) Turning-Point: (0;4) (0;4)
2
"symmetry points": 𝑦 = 2(−1) + 4 = 6 𝑥
and 𝑦 = 2(1)2 + 4 = 6
 (-1;6) and(1;6)
5.) Labels Note: we can predict this outcome – arms up
and shit up.

To do:
Textbook page 159 Ex 8.1 numbers 1a and b; page 162 Ex 8.2 numbers 1a and c;
page 170 Ex 8.3 numbers 1a-f

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