GRAPHS OF CUBIC FUNCTIONS (LIVE) 18 MAY 2015

Section A: Summary Notes

The standard form of a cubic graph is:

y  ax 3  bx 2  cx  d
When plotting a graph, there are 4 steps to follow:
 Determine the x-intercept LET Y 0
 Determine the y-intercept LET X 0
 Determine the STATIONARY POINTS (also known as the turning points) this is done by letting 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 0
 Substitute the x values of the stationery points into the original equation to calculate the corresponding y
values.
Remember:

a0 a0

Section B: Exam practice questions

Question 1
Sketch the graph of

a) f  x   x3  9 x 2  24 x  20
b) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 8
Showing all intercepts with the axes and any stationary points.
Question 2
The graph of h( x)   x3  ax 2  bx is shown below. A(1;  3,5) and B(2 ;10) are the turning points of
h. The graph passes through the origin and further cuts the x-axis at C and D.

.
B(2 ; 10)
•

x
C D
0

.
A(–•1 ; –3,5)

3
2.1 Show that a and b6 (7)
2
2.2 Calculate the average gradient between A and B. (2)
2.3 Determine the equation of the tangent to h at x  2 . (5)
2.4 Determine the x-value of the point of inflection of h. (3)

Question 3
Sketch the graph of f ( x)  2 x3  6 x  4 (17)

Question 4
Sketch the graph of f ( x)  x3  3 x 2  4
Indicate the coordinates of the stationary points, intercepts with the axes and any points of inflection. (15)
Section B: Exam practice questions
Question 1
a)

b.)
Question 2
2.1
h( x)  3x2  2ax  b  h( x)  3x 2  2ax  b
 h(1)  3(1)2  2a(1)  b
h(1)  3(1) 2  2a(1)  b
0  3  2a  b  2a  b  3
 h(2)  3(2)  2a(2)  b
2
2a  b  3  (i)
h(2)  3(2) 2  2a(2)  b  4a  b  12
3
0  12  4a  b  a
2
4a  b  12  (ii)
 b6
6a  9 (i)  (ii) (7)
3
a 
2
3
 2    b  3
2
b6
2.2 Average gradient 10  (3,5)

10  ( 3,5) 2  (1)

2  ( 1) 
9
13,5 2
 (2)
3
9

2
2.3 3 2 3 2
h( x )   x 3  x  6x  h( x )   x  x  6x
3

2 2
 h( x)  3x 2  3x  6  h( x)  3x  3x  6
2

 h(2)  12
h(2)  3(2)2  3(2)  6
 y  12 x  22
h(2)  12
 h(2)  12
Point of contact (2 ; 2)
(5)
y  2  12( x  2)
y  12 x  22
  h( x)  6 x  3
2.4
h( x)  3 x 2  3 x  6
 6 x  3  0
h( x)  6 x  3
1
6 x  3  0  x
2
1
x (3)
2
[17]

Question 3
y-intercept: (0;  4)  (0;  4)
x-intercepts:
 0  2 x3  6 x  4
0  2x  6x  4
3
 0  ( x  1)( x2  x  2)
 0  x  3x  2
3
 0  ( x  1)( x  2)( x  1)
 0  ( x  1)( x 2  x  2) (using the factor theorem)  (1;0) (2;0)
 0  ( x  1)( x  2)( x  1)
 x  1 or x  2
(1;0) (2;0)
Stationary points:
f ( x)  2 x  6 x  4
3

 f ( x)  6 x 2  6
 0  6 x2  6 (At a turning point, f ( x)  0)
 0  x2  1  f ( x)  6 x 2  6
 x  1  0  6 x2  6
 x  1
f (1)  8  (1;  8) and (1;0)
f (1)  0
Turning points are (1;  8) and ( 1;0)
Point of inflection:
f ( x)  6 x  6
2

 f ( x)  12 x
 f ( x)  12 x
 0  12 x
 (0;  4)
x  0
f (0)  4
Point of inflection at (0;  4) (1)  (1)
Alternatively: 
The x-coordinate of the point of inflection can be determined by 2
 adding the x-coordinates of the turning points and then dividing  x0
the result by 2.
(1)  (1)
x 0
2

(1;0)
(2;0)

(0;  4)

(1;  8)

Question 4
x-intercepts: y-intercept: 4
 0  x3  3 x 2  4
0  x  3x  4
3 2
 ( x  1)( x2  4 x  4)  0
 ( x  1)( x  4 x  4)  0
2
 x  1 or x  2
 ( x  1)( x  2)( x  2)  0
 x  1 or x  2
f ( x)  3x2  6 x  f ( x)  3x 2  6 x
 0  3x 2  6 x  0  3x 2  6 x
 x  0 or x  2
 0  x2  2 x
 0  x( x  2)
 x  0 or x  2
For x  0 f (0)  (0)3  3(0)2  4  4  (0 ; 4)
Max turning point at (0 ; 4)  (2 ; 0)
For x2 f (2)  (2)3  3(2)2  4  0
Min turning point at (2 ; 0)

f ( x)  3 x 2  6 x  f ( x)  6 x  6
 f ( x)  6 x  6  x 1
0  6x  6  (1;2)
6 x  6
x 1
f (1)  (1)3  3(1) 2  4
f (1)  2
The point of inflection is (1;2)

 intercepts with the

(0;4) axes
 turning points
 shape
(1;2)  point of inflection
[15]

(1;0) (2;0)