Functions and Graphs

2 Contents

2.1 Introduction to Functions

2.2 Quadratic Functions
2.3 Graphs of Functions
2.4 Transformation on the Graphs of

Functions
 2 Functions and Graphs
2.1 Introduction to Functions
A. Basic Idea of a Function

A variable y is said to be a function of a variable x if

there is a relation between x and y such that every
value of x corresponds to one and only one value
of y.

For example, Fig. 2.3 shows a square with

length x.

Let A be the area of the square. The area of the Fig. 2.3
square depends on its length. We have

A = x2.
Content
A is a function of x.

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.1 Introduction to Functions

The following table shows some values of x and the corresponding

values of A.

x 0 1 2 3 4 5
A 0 1 4 9 16 25
Table 2.2

Fig. 2.4 shows the graph of the

function A = x2.

Content

Fig. 2.4

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.1 Introduction to Functions
B. Notation for a Function

We usually use the symbol ‘ f (x) ’ to denote a function of x.

For example, 4x + 5 is the function of x. It can be expressed as
f (x) = 4x + 5.
If x = 3, we f (3) = 4 × 3 + 5 = 17.
have,
Notes:
• The symbol f (x) is read as ‘f of x’.
2. f (x) does not mean that f is multiplied by x.
• The letter ‘f ’ in the symbol ‘f (x)’ can be replaced by other letters, for
example,
Content h( x) = x 2 , g ( x) = x 2 or F ( x) = x 2

• Besides x, we can have functions of other variables, for example,

3u 2 + 4u − 5 is a function of u and we may write f (u ) = 3u 2 + 4u − 5.

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions

A. Basic Properties of Quadratic Functions

The graph of y = ax 2 + bx + c is a parabola.

Content

Fig. 2.7

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions
Properties of a quadratic graph:

1. Direction of opening:
(a) If a > 0, then it opens upwards.
(b) If a < 0, then it opens downwards.

2. When the graph cuts the y-axis at (0, (c), c is called the y-intercept.

3. The vertex is the turning point of the parabola.

(a) If a > 0, then it is the lowest point of the parabola.
(b) If a < 0, then it is the highest point of the parabola.
Content
4. An axis of symmetry is a line about which a graph is reflectionally
symmetric. For a parabola, the axis of symmetry passes through the
vertex.

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions
C. Graphs of Quadratic Function y = a(x – h)2 + k

By using the method of completing the square to transform the

quadratic equation into the form of y = a( x − h) + k , we can locate
2

the vertex of a quadratic graph.

The following steps illustrate how to transform a quadratic function

by the method of completing the square.

Content

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions
B. Shape of a Quadratic Graph

Fig. 2.12 shows the graph of y = ax , where a ≠ 0.

2

Fig. 2.12

Content If we change the value of a, the shape of the graph will become:

1. narrower when a is increased; and

2. wider when a is decreased.

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions

The method of completing the square:

y = ax 2 + bx + c (where a, b and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0 )

 b 
= a x 2 + x  + c
 a 

 2 b  b   b  
2 2

= ax + x +   −    + c
 a  2a   2a  

 2 b  b  
2
 b 
2

= ax + x +    + c − a ×  
 a  2a    2a 

2
Content  b  4ac − b 2
= a x +  +
 2a  4a
x 2 + 2ax + a 2 ≡ ( x + a ) 2
= a ( x − h) 2 + k , where h = − b and k = 4ac − b
2

2a 4a

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions
Notes:

Fig. 2.16

1. If a > 0, then a ( x − h) ≥ 0 , thus a ( x − h) + k ≥ k for all x.

2 2
Content
∴ y has a minimum value of
k.
2. If a < 0, then a ( x − h) 2 ≤ 0 , thus a ( x − h) 2 + k ≤ k for all x.
∴ y has a maximum value of k.

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions

From the quadratic graph of y = a ( x − h) 2 + k , we

observe:

• Vertex = (h, k)
• Axis of symmetry: x = h
• If a > 0, then the minimum value of y is k.
If a < 0, then the maximum value of y is k.
Both values are attained at x = h.

Content

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions

D. Practical Problems of Optimum Values

The quadratic function y = ax + bx + c can be transformed into the

2

form of y = a ( x − h) + k .
2

Example 2.8T

A man drops a stone from the roof of a building and the speed of the stone is
v m/s. The height of the stone from the ground s m can be expressed as
v2
s =. 45 −
20

Content (a) When s = 40, find the value of v.

(b) What is the maximum velocity of the stone?

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.2 Quadratic Functions

Solution:

(a) v2
s = 45 −
20
v2
40 = 45 −
20
v 2 = 100
v = 10 or − 10 ( rejected )

(b) The maximum velocity is attained when s = 0.

v2
0 = 45 −
20
Content v 2 = 900
v = 30 or − 30 (rejected )

∴ The maximum velocity of the stone is 30 m/s.

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.3 Graphs of Functions
A. Graphs of Different Functions

1. The graph of a linear function 2. The graph of a quadratic function

y = mx + c is a straight line. y = ax 2 + bx + c is a
parabola.

Content

Fig. 2.29 Fig. 2.30

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.3 Graphs of Functions
B. Solving Inequalities by Graphical Method

For a quadratic function y = f (x) whose graph opens upwards,

• f (x) > k, for x < a or x > b or

• f (x) < k, for a < x < b,

Content if k is greater than the y-coordinate

of the vertex of f (x).

Fig .2.33

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.3 Graphs of Functions
B. Solving Inequalities by Graphical Method

For a quadratic function f (x) whose graph opens downwards,

• f (x) > k, for a < x < b or

• f (x) < k, for x < a or x > b,

if k is less than the y-coordinate of

Content the vertex of f (x).

Fig. 2.34

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.4 Transformation on the Graphs of Functions

For vertical translation, if we translate the graph of y = f(x) vertically (upwards

for k > 0; downwards for k < 0) k units, we will get the graph of y = f (x) + k.

Fig. 2.49((a) Fig. 2.49((b)

Content
The graphs of y = f(x) and y = f (x) + k have
the same shape.

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 2 Functions and Graphs
2.4 Transformation on the Graphs of Functions

For horizontal translation, if we translate the graph of y = f(x) horizontally h

units (towards the right for h > 0; towards the left for h < 0), we will get the
graph of y = f (x – h).

Fig. 2.50((a) Fig. 2.50((b)

Content
In general, we can translate the graph of y = f(x)
h (h > 0) units to the right and k (k > 0) units
upwards to get the graph of y = f (x – h) + k.

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