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D. Sketching Graphs - Linear, Quadratic, Cubic and Reciprocal

This document provides information about sketching different types of graphs: - Linear graphs are straight lines that can be sketched by making a table of x and y values from the line equation and plotting the points. - Quadratic graphs form a parabola that can be sketched similarly to linear graphs. - Cubic graphs can have multiple turning points and are sketched by making a table and smooth curve between points. - Reciprocal graphs have a discontinuity at x=0 and are sketched like other graphs apart from this point. Examples are given to illustrate how to sketch each type of graph.

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238 views6 pages

D. Sketching Graphs - Linear, Quadratic, Cubic and Reciprocal

This document provides information about sketching different types of graphs: - Linear graphs are straight lines that can be sketched by making a table of x and y values from the line equation and plotting the points. - Quadratic graphs form a parabola that can be sketched similarly to linear graphs. - Cubic graphs can have multiple turning points and are sketched by making a table and smooth curve between points. - Reciprocal graphs have a discontinuity at x=0 and are sketched like other graphs apart from this point. Examples are given to illustrate how to sketch each type of graph.

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GCSE Maths – Algebra

Sketching Graphs – Linear, Quadratic, Cubic


and Reciprocal
Notes

WORKSHEET

This work by PMT Education is licensed under https://bit.ly/pmt-cc


https://bit.ly/pmt-edu-cc CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Sketching Graphs - Linear, Quadratic, Cubic and Reciprocal

Linear graphs
A linear graph is a straight line, with a line equation of the form

= + ,

where is the gradient and is the y-intercept.

To sketch a linear graph, begin by completing a table of values. Using the equation of the
line, the table shows the corresponding y value for chosen x values.

Example: Construct the table of values for the general formula = +


between = 2 and = 2

Substitute each x value into the formula to obtain the relevant y value:
.

Points from a table of values can then be plotted on a graph and connected with a straight
line.

Example: Sketch a graph of the function = 3 + 2 between = 1 and =3

First, create the table of values for the required values of x:

-1 0 1 2 3
= + -1 2 5 8 11

Plot these values on a graph by plotting the coordinates ( 1, 1), (0, 2), (1, 5), (2, 8) and (3, 11).
Then draw a line connecting these points. We can check that the gradient of the graph is indeed
3 and the y-intercept is 2.
Quadratic graphs
A quadratic graph is shaped like a parabola: or .
Its equation is of the form
= + + ,
where 0.

If < 0 then the graph will have the shape .


If > 0 then the graph will have the shape .

Sketching a quadratic graph is a similar process to sketching a linear graph. If using a table
of values, you proceed by creating the table of values, plotting the points, and then
connecting them with a smooth curve.

Example: Plot = 2 + 1 between = 2 and =2

First, create the table of values for the values of x:

-2 -1 0 1 2

= +1 9 4 1 0 1

Plot these values on a graph by plotting the coordinates

( 2, 9), ( 1, 4), (0, 1), (1, 0) and (2, 1).

Then draw a curve connecting these points:


Cubic graphs
Cubic graphs can have more than one turning point and have equations of the form

= + + + ,

where 0.

Cubic graphs have a shape similar to the curve on the right.

Sketching cubics can be done similarly to sketching a


quadratic curve. Simply complete a table of values, plot the
points and connect them with a smooth curve. =

Example: Plot = + 7 between = 3 and =1

First, complete a table of values for the required x values:

-3 -2 -1 0 1

= + -20 -1 6 7 8

Plot these values on a graph by plotting the coordinates ( 3, 20), ( 2, 1), ( 1, 6), (0, 7)
and (1, 8). Then draw a curve connecting these points:

.
Reciprocal graphs
Reciprocal graphs are of the form

=
where 0.

The value of cannot be 0 otherwise we would get ,


which is undefined.

When sketching reciprocal graphs of this form you need


to keep in mind there will be a discontinuity at = .
Apart from that, you proceed in the same way as the
previous graphs: construct a table of values, plot the
points and then connect them with a smooth curve. =

Example: Plot = between = 4 and = 4.

First, complete a table of values for the required x values:

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

= -0.25 -0.33 -0.5 -1 Undefined 1 0.5 0.33 0.25

Plot these values on a graph by plotting the coordinates ( 4, 0.25), ( 3, 0.33), ( 2, 0.5),
( 1, 1), (1, 1), (2, 0.5), (3, 0.33) and (4, 0.25).

Draw a smooth curve connecting these points:


Linear, Quadratic, Cubic and Reciprocal Graphs – Practice Questions

1) Sketch =2 + + 2 between = 3 and = 2.

2) Sketch = + 2 + 1 between = 3 and = 3.

3) Sketch = + 2 between = 5 and = 5.

Worked solutions for the practice questions can be found amongst the worked solutions for the
corresponding worksheet file.

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