CURVE SKETCHING

When the equation of the curve is unfamiliar, the x−2=0

shape of the curve requires valid and extensive x = 2 is a vertical asymptote
considerations. It’s impossible to study every shape
of the curve but we can discuss those which occur Horizontal asymptote
most frequently. The degree of the numerator and denominators are
the same
(1) Intercepts: These are points where the curve
crosses the coordinate axes For the horizontal asymptote
(2) Stationary points: These are points on the
curve at which the gradient of the curve is zero

( dydx =0). In curve sketching the absence of For the curve y=

x
x−2
1
y= = 1
1
stationary points is as important as their x
presence. The horizontal asymptote of the curve y= is
x−2
1
(3) Linear asymptotes of rational functions: y= = 1
1
Alternatively: To obtain the horizontal asymptote of
Given the curve x
y= , we divide the numerator and denominator
The vertical asymptotes of y are the line x=c x−2
where c is the set of roots of the equations by the highest power of x that appears in the
denominator and then letting
x
: For the vertical asymptotes, y=
Note x−2
(denominator = 0) x
(i) If n < m,then y has a horizontal asymptote y=0 x
y=
x 2
−
x x
(ii) if m = n then y has a horizontal asymptote
1
(iii) if n > m, then y has no horizontal asymptote y=
2
1−
Given the curve y=f (x ) to find the horizontal x
asymptote (if any), we divide the numerator and the
As ,y=1
denominator by the highest power of x that appears
in the denominator and then letting y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve

Example Example II
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptote of the Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the

curve curve
Solution Solution

For the vertical asymptote, the denominator is zero For the vertical asymptote
2
2 x +3 x−2=0
( )

1
 ( 2 x−1 ) ( x +2 ) =0 2
x −4 x+ 4
⇒ y=
1 (3 x−1)(3 x−2)
x= ∧x=−2
2
For the vertical asymptote
Horizontal asymptote
( 3 x−1 ) ( 3 x −2 )=0
1 2
x= , x=
3 3 3
y=
2
and are the vertical asymptotes.
2
Which can also be obtained from x −4 x + 4
y=
3 x2 2 x 1 (3 x −1)(3 x−2)
− 2− 2
x2 x x
y= 2 Example IV
2x 3 x 2
+ −
x2 x 2 x 2
Find the vertical asymptotes of the curve
2 1 Solution
3− − 2 2
x x 4x
y= y= 2
3 2 x +8
2+ − 2
x x For the vertical asymptotes
2
x + 8=0
2
As , 4x
The curve y= 2 has no vertical asymptotes (since
x +8
there are no real values of x for which x2 + 8 = 0.
is a horizontal asymptote of
Example II For the horizontal asymptote,
2
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptote of the 4x
y= 2
x +8
curve 4 x2
2
Solution x
Horizontal asymptote y= 2
x 8
2
+ 2
x x
4
y=
8
1+ 2
x
As ,y=4

y = 4 is a horizontal asymptote of curve

Example IV
is a horizontal asymptote
2
x −4 x+ 4 Find the asymptotes of the curve
y= 2
9 x −9 x +2 Solution
For the vertical asymptotes

2
 x( x +4 )=0
P(x)
x = 0 and x = -4 are the vertical asymptote of the y=
; so the graph Q ( x ) approaches the

curve graph y= ( ax+ b ) . In this situation, y= ( ax+ b ) is a

slant asymptote.

Horizontal asymptote: 4. Empty Sections of a Curve

These are regions where no part of the curve lies.
They can be adopted using the following method.
Note: The degree of the numerator is less than the 3 x−9
y=
denominator (the rational fraction is proper) 2
x −x−2
The curve has a horizontal asymptote of y = 0. 3 x−9
y=
( x−2)(x +1)
Alternatively:
To find whether the curve lies above or below the x-
x +1
y= axis we equate the numerator and denominator to
x (x +4) zero
3 x −9=0
y=
( x−2 ) ( x+ 1 )=0
x 1
2
+ 2 3 x−9=0
x x
y= 2 x=3
x 4
2
+ 2 ( x−2 ) ( x+ 1 )=0
x x x=2 , x=−1
1 1
+ x = -1, x = 2, x = 3
x x2
y=
4 x < -1 -1 < x < 2 2 < x < 3 x > 3
1+ 2 3 x−9 −ve −ve −ve + ve
x
(x – 2)(x + 1) + ve −ve + ve + ve
As x y −ve + ve −ve + ve
As y 0
y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve When y is positive, the curve lies above the x-axis
and when y is negative, the curve lies below the x-
axis.

The empty section of the curve can be represented.

Slant Asymptotes
P(x)
If y= is a rational fraction in which the degree
Q(x)
of the numerator is greater than the degree of the
denominator, we use long division to find the
slanting asymptote of the curve.
R(x)
y= ( ax+ b ) +
Q (x )
Where the degree of R is less than the degree of Q
anda ≠ 0. This means that as

3
 y ( 3 y−1 )−3 ( 3 y−1 )> 0
( y−3)(3 y −1)> 0
1
y=3 , y =
3
1 y >3
y< < y < 3
3
( y−3) -ve -ve +ve
( 3 y−1 ) -ve +ve +ve
(y–3)(3y–1) +ve −ve +ve

For real values of x, ( y−3 )( 3 y−1 )must be positive

1
There is no curve on the interval < y< 3.
3

We can now represent the empty section for the

Region of restriction
It is a region of the graph where the curve doesn’t lie. curve
We normally have a region of restriction if the curve
has a maximum and minimum point
For example, if a curve y=f ( x ) has a maximum
point (2, 1) and a minimum point (-1, 3).
Its implies that there is no curve in the interval
1
1< y <3. If a curve has a maximum point (5 , ) and
3
a minimum point (1, 3). It implies that there is no
1
curve in the interval < y< 3.
3
We can now find the region of restriction for the
3 x−9
y=
curve ( x−2)(x +1)
y [ (x−2)(x +1) ] =3 x−9
y [ x 2−x−2 ]=3 x−9
2
y x − yx−2 y=3 x−9
2
y x −( 3+ y ) x+ 9−2 y=0
B2 – 4AC ≥ 0
For real values of x (for the curve to be defined)
¿
2 2
9+ 6 y+ y −36 y +8 y >0
2
9 y −30 y +9> 0
2
3 y −10 y +3>0
2
3 y −10 y +3>0
Factors are -1, 9 and the product 9
2
3 y − y−9 y+ 3>0

4
Steps involved when sketching curves of 2
−3 x +18 x−15=0
rational functions: 2
x −6 x +5=0
Find x and y intercepts ( x−5 ) ( x−1 )=0
Investigate the nature of stationary points x=5∧x=1
Find the asymptotes of the curve vertical For x = 1
slanting or horizontal.
Determine where the curve lies either above or
below the x- axis
Determine the region where the curve has got 3 ×1−9
y= 2
restrictions 1 −1−2
Sketch the curve
For x = 1,
y=3
Example I (1, 3) is a stationary point
3 ×5−9
For x = 5, y= 2
Sketch the curve Solution 5 −5−2
3 x −9 6
y= y=
( x−2 ) ( x+ 1 ) 18
Intercepts: 1
y=
For the x- axis y = 0 3
3 x−9 1
⇒ =0 (5, ) is a stationary point
( x−2 ) ( x+1 ) 3
x=3
The curve cuts the y – axis at (3, 0) Nature of stationary points:
L x=1 R
For y – axis, x = 0
dy
3 × 0−9
y= dx
(0−2)(0+1) L x=5 R
y=4.5
The curve crosses the y – axis at (0, 4.5)
Stationary points of the curve:

1
(1, 3) is a minimum point of the curve and (5, ) is a
3
maximum point of the curve.
Since the curve has a maximum and minimum point,
it implies that there is no curve in the region

(to be proved at a later stage)

Asymptotes of the curve For the

dy
At stationary point =0 curve,
dx
2
−3 x +18 x−15 If n < m, the curve has a horizontal asymptote of y= 0
2
=0
( x 2−x−2 )

5
 3 x−9 3 x−9
Since y= is a proper fraction, it implies Region of restriction y=
2
( x −x−2) ( x−2 ) (x +1)
that it has a horizontal asymptote of y = 0
y ( x−2 ) ( x+1 ) =3 x −9
Alternatively, y(x2 – x – 2) = 3x – 9
2
3 x −9 y x − yx−2 y=3 x +9
y=
( x 2−x−2 ) y x 2−( y +3 ) x+ 9−2 y=0
2
3x 9 B −4 AC >0
− (For real values of x)
x2 x2
y= 2 ( y +3 )2−4 y ( 9−2 y ) > 0
x x 2
2
− 2− 2 y2 + 6y + 9 – 36y + 8y2 > 0
x x x 2 2
6 y + y −36 y+ 8 y > 0
3 9 2
− 9 y −30 y +9> 0
x x2 2
y= 3 y −10 y +3>0
1 2 2
1− − 2 3 y −10 y +3>0
x x Factors are -1, 9 and the product 9
2
As , y 0 3 y − y−9 y+ 3>0
y ( 3 y−1 )−3 ( 3 y−1 )> 0
y=0is a horizontal asymptote of the curve ( y−3)(3 y −1)> 0
3 x −9 1
y= y=3 , y =
3
( x 2−x−2 ) For the boundary conditions;
3 x−9 1 1
y= y< < y< 3 y >3
( x−2 ) (x +1) 3 3
( y−3) −ve −ve + ve
For the vertical asymptote y ±∞ (3 y−1) −ve + ve + ve
(y – 3)(3y – 1) + ve −ve + ve
⇒ ( x−2 )( x +1 )=0
x = 2 and x = -1 are vertical asymptotes of the curve We can now sketch the curve
3 x −9
y=
( x 2−x−2 )
Empty Sections
3 x −9=0
y=
( x−2 ) ( x+ 1 )=0
x=3 , x=2 , x =−1
x ←1 -1<x<2 2<x<3 x>3
3x – 9 -ve -ve -ve +ve
(x – 2)(x+1) +ve −ve +ve +ve
y -ve +ve -ve +ve
The negative value of y shows the curve lies below
the x-axis. The positive value shows that the curve
lies above the x-axis.
Example II

6
 x (x−3) 1
Sketch the curve y=
( x−1)(x −4) x2−5x+4 x2 – 3x
Solution x2 − 5x + 4
x ( x −3 ) 2x – 4
y=
( x−1 ) ( x−4 )
2 x−4
Intercepts y=1+ 2
For the x-axis y = 0 x −5 x+ 4
x ( x −3 )=0 2x 4
−
x=0 , x=3 x 2 x2
y=1+ 2
The curve cuts the x- axis at ( 0 , 0 ) ∧( 3 ,0 ) x 5x 4
− +
For the y- axis, x=0 x2 x 2 x 2
y=0 2 4
−
The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 0) x x2
y=1+
5 4
1− + 2
Stationary points of the curve x x
As , 1
y=1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
2
dy −2 x −8 x−12
=
dx ( x2 −5 x + 4)2 Does the curve cross the horizontal asymptote?
2
x −3 x
dy y= 2
, y=1 is a horizontal asymptote
At stationary point, =0 x −5 x+ 4
dx 2
x −3 x
2
−2 x −8 x−12=0 1= 2
x −5 x+ 4
2
x + 4 x +6=0
2 2
−4 ± √ 16−4 ( 1 ) 6 x −5 x+ 4=x −3 x
x= 2 x=4
2
x=2
−4 ± √ −8 ∴ ( 2 ,1 )
x=
2 The curve crosses the horizontal asymptote at (2, 1)
The curve has no stationary points Empty sections:
Asymptotes: x(x −3)
x(x −3) y=
y= ( x−1 ) ( x−4 )
( x−1 ) ( x−4 ) x=0 , x=3 , x=1 , x =4
For the vertical asymptotes X<0 0<x<1 1<x<3 3<x<4 X > 4
( x−1 ) ( x−4 )=0 x(x – 3) +ve −ve −ve +ve +ve
x=1∧x =4 are vertical asymptotes of the curve (x–1)(x– +ve +ve −ve −ve +ve
4)
x(x −3) y +ve −ve +ve −ve +ve
y=
( x−1 ) ( x−4 )
2 The positive sign indicates that the curve lies above
x −3 x the x-axis and the negative sign shows that the curve
y= 2
x −5 x+ 4 lies above the x-axis.

We can now sketch the curve

7
 y>2
y< <y<2
y–2 −ve −ve +ve
Or 2y – 1 −ve +ve +ve
(y-2)(2y-1) +ve −ve +ve
1
There is no curve in the region < y<2
2
When a curve comes from up and reaches the line y =
2, it turns upwards and when the curve comes from
1
downwards and reaches the line y= it moves
2
downwards
1
At y = 2 we have a minimum point and at y= , we
2
have a maximum point

Example III
y=2
Given that
(a) find the range of values where the curve doesn’t
lie
(b) hence determine the stationary points of the
curve
(c) state the equations of the three asymptotes of the From
curve , sketch the curve 4 x−10
Solution
y= 2
x −4
4 x−10 4 x−10
y= 2 2= 2
x −4 x −4
y (x ¿¿ 2−4)=4 x−10 ¿ 2
2
2 x −8=4 x−10
yx −4 y=4 x−10 2
2 x −4 x +2=0
2
yx −4 x +10−4 y=0 2
x −2 x+1=0
For the real values of x
2 ( x−1 )2=0
B −4 AC >0
x=1
¿
If x = 1, y = 2
¿ (1, 2) is a point of minima
2
16−40 y +16 y >0 4 x−10
2 y=
4 y −10 y +4 >0 2
x −4
2y2 – 5y + 2 > 0 1 4 x−10
2( y −2)(2 y −1)>0 = 2
2 x −4
( y−2 )( 2 y−1 ) >0 2
x −4=8 x−20
For the boundary conditions 2
1 x −8 x +16=0
y=2, y= ¿
2
x=4

8
 1 For the y- intercept, x = 0
(4, ¿is a point of maxima
2 −10
y=
Asymptotes: −4
4 x−10 y=2.5
y= 2
x −4 The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 2.5)
4 x 10
−
x2 x 2
y= 2
x 4
2
− 2
x x
4 10
−
x x2
y=
4
1− 2
x
,y=0
y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
4 x−10
y= 2
x −4
Example IV
For the vertical asymptote,
2
x −4=0 Sketch the curve
2
x =4 Solution
x=± 2 2
2 x −8
x = 2 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of the curve y=
2 x−5
4 x−10 Intercepts:
y= 2
x −4 For the x- intercepts, y = 0
Whether the curve lies either above or below the 2
2 x −8
x- axis: 0=
2 x −5
4 x−10 2
y= 2 2 x −8=0
x −4 2
x =4
4 x−10=0
x=± 2
x=2.5
2
The curve cuts the x- axis at (2, 0) and (-2, 0)
x −4=0 For the y- intercepts, x = 0
x=± 2 −8
x ←2 −2< x <2 2< x <2.5 x >2.5 y= =1.6
−5
4x – 10 −ve −ve −ve + ve The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 1.6)
x −4
2
+ ve −ve + ve + ve Asymptotes:
y −ve + ve −ve + ve 2
2 x −8
y=
The positive sign indicates that the curve lies above 2 x−5
the x-axis and the negative sign shows that the curve
For the vertical asymptote,
lies above the x-axis.
2 x−5=0
Intercepts: x=2.5
For the x- intercepts y = 0. x=2.5 is a vertical asymptote of the curve
0=4 x−10 2
2 x −8
x=2.5 y=
2 x−5
The curve cuts the x-axis at (2.5, 0)

9
 x=1
5 dy
2 L R
dx
2x – 5 2x2 – 8
2x2 − 5x
5x – 8
5x – 25/2 Since the curve has a maximum point at (1, 2) and
9/2 minimum point at (4, 8)
There is no curve in the region 2< y <8 where the

( 52 )+ 29/2
y= x +
x−5
curve lies
Where the curve lies:
2
2 x −8=0
5 9/2 x y=
y=(x + )+ 2 x−5=0
2 5
2− 2x2 – 8 = 0
x ⇒ x=± 2
2x – 5 = 0
As , ⇒ x=2.5
x < -2 -2 < x < 2 2 < x < 2.5 x > 2.5
is a slanting asymptote of the curve
2
2 x −8 +ve −ve +ve +ve
2 x−5 −ve −ve −ve −ve
y −ve +ve −ve +ve
Stationary points:
dy (2 x−5 ) . 4 x− ( 2 x −8 ) .2
2
= 2
dx (2 x−5)
2
dy 4 x −20 x+ 16
= 2
dx (2 x −5)
dy
At stationary point =0
dx
2
4 x −20 x+16=0
2
x −5 x+ 4=0
( x−1 ) ( x−4 )=0
x=1∧x =4
If x = 4, y = 8
If x = 1, y = 2
(4, 8) and (1, 2) are stationary points of the curve
2
2 x −8
y=
2 x−5 Example V
Nature of stationary points
Find the Cartesian equation of the curve
x=1
dy
L R
dx

Hence sketch the curve y=f ( x )where f ( x ) is the

x=4 Cartesian equation of the curve
Solution

10
 Asymptotes :
2
, x −2 x+1
y=
x +1
For the vertical asymptote
x (1−t )=1+t x +1=0
x−xt=1+t x=−1
x−1=xt +t x=−1 is the vertical asymptote of the curve
x−1=t ( x+ 1 ) 2
x −2 x+1
y=
x−1 x +1
t=
x+ 1 x–3
x+1 x2 – 2x + 1
x2 + x

( )
2
x−1 -3x + 1
2 -3x – 3
x+1
y= 4
1−(
x+ 1 )
x−1
4
y= ( x −3 ) +
x +1
2(x −2 x +1)
2
4
(x +1)2 x
y= y= ( x −3 ) +
¿¿ 1
1+
2
x
2(x −2 x +1)
As , x–3
(x +1)2
y= y = (x – 3) is the slanting asymptote
2
x +1 Stationary point:
dy ( x +1 ) ( 2 x −2 )−( x −2 x+ 1 ) 1
2
2
x −2 x+1 =
y= dx ¿¿
x +1 2
dy x +2 x−3
2 =
x −2 x+1 dx ¿¿
y= is the Cartesian equation of the curve
x +1 2
x + 2 x−3=0
Intercepts: ( x +3 ) ( x−1 )=0
x=−3 , x=1
For x- intercepts y = 0 If x = -3, y = -8
2
x −2 x +1 If x = 1, y = 0
=0 (-3, -8) and (1, 0) are stationary points
x +1
2
( x−1) =0 Nature of the stationary points:
x=1
x=1 dy
L R
dx
The curve cuts the x- axis at (1, 0)
For the y- intercept x = 0
1
y=
1 (1, 0) is a point of minima
The curve cuts the y – axis at (0, 1)

11
 x=1 (1, 0) and (5, 0)
dy
L R The curve cuts the x- axis at(1, 0) and (5, 0)
dx
For the y- axis, x = 0
5
y=
−1
The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, -5)
(-3, -8) is a point of maxima Asymptotes
There is no curve in the interval -8 < y < 0 2
x −6 x +5
Where the curve lies: y=
2 2 x−1
x −2 x+1=0
y= For the vertical asymptote y ±∞
x +1=0
2 x−1=0
x=1 1
x=
x=−1 2
x < -1 -1 < x < 1 x>1 1
2 x= is the vertical asymptote of the curve
x – 2x + 1 +ve +ve +ve 2
x+1 −ve +ve +ve 2
x −6 x +5
y −ve +ve +ve y=
2 x−1

x
2
 11
4

2x − 1 x2 – 6x + 5
x
2

 112x  5
−
 112x  114
9
4

9
y= −(
x 11
+
4
2 4 2 x+ 1 )
9
y= − (
x 11
2 4
+
4x
2+
1 )
x
Example V
As x ±∞, y
Sketch the curve
Solution
2
is the slanting asymptote of the curve
x −6 x +5 Stationary points.
y=
2 x−1
For the x- intercept; y = 0
2
x −6 x +5
0= 2
dy 2 x −2 x−4
2 x−1 = 2
2 dx (2 x −1)
x −6 x +5=0
At a stationary point
( x−1 ) ( x−5 )=0
dy
x = 1 and x = 5 =0
dx

12
 2 Consider the curves whose equations are
2 x −2 x−4=0
2
x −x−2=0 1
y 1=f ( x ) ∧ y 2= . When the graph of the
( x−2 ) ( x+ 1 )=0 f (x)
x=2 , x=−1 function f(x) is familiar, the following simple
If x = 2, y = -1 and if x = -1, y = -4 properties provide the means to adapt the known
(2, -1) and (-1, -4) are stationary points. 1
graph of f(x) in order to sketch the graph of
x=2 f (x)
dy
L R
dx If the graph of f(x) is known, to sketch the graph
1
the following steps are involved
f (x)
(2, -1) is a point of minima 1
x=1 (1) For a given value of x, f(x) and have the
dy
f (x)
L R
dx 1
same sign when f(x) lies above the x–axis,
f (x)
lies above the x–axis and when f(x) lies below
1
the x–axis also also lies below the x- axis)
(-1, -4) is a point of maxima. f (x)
There is no curve in the interval -4 < y < -1 1
(2) If f(x) 0, ± ∞ so that x–
Where the curve lies: f (x)
intercepts became the vertical asymptotes of the
1
curve
x=1, x=5 f (x)
1 (3) If f(x) has a maximum turning point at a
x=
2 1
given value if x, has minimum turning
1<x<5 x>5 f (x)
x < <x <1 point at that given value of x and vice versa
x2–6x + 5 +ve +ve −ve +ve
2x - 1 −ve +ve +ve +ve Example I
y −ve +ve −ve +ve Sketch the graph of f ( x )=4+ 3 x−x 2 hence
1
sketch the graph of
f (x)
Solution
y=f (x )
2
y=4+ 3 x−x
dy
=3−2 x
dx

At a stationary point, =0
3−2 x=0
x=1.5
When x = 1.5, y = 6.25
¿) is a turning point
Reciprocal Curves

13
 ⇒ ¿ ) is a point of maxima x = 4 and x = -1 are the vertical asymptotes of
1
Intercepts: the curve y=
f (x)
For x–axis y = 0
2
0=4 +3 x−x
2
x −3 x−4=0
x = 4 and x = -1
The curve cuts the x–axis at (4, 0) and (-1, 0)
2
y=4+ 3 x−x
For y – intercept, x = 0
y = 4 + 0 − 02 = 4
The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, 4)

Example II
Sketch the graph of f ( x )=x 2 ( x+ 2 )hence sketch
1
the graph of g ( x )=
f (x)
Solution
2
f ( x )=x ( x+ 2 )
Let y=f ( x )
dy 2
=3 x + 4 x
dx
At a stationary point
From the above information we can now sketch
dy
1 =0
the graph of ,using the known graph of f(x). dx
f (x) 2
3 x + 4 x=0
Using the following properties
1 x (3 x +4 )=0
(1) For a given value of x, f(x) and have the
f (x)
same sign. For x <-1, f(x) lies below the x – axis −4
x=0 , x=
1 3
implying that also lies below the x – axis
f (x) If x = 0, y = 0
For −1< x <4 f(x) lies above the x–axis
1 −4 32
⇒ If x= , y=
also lies above the x- axis 3 27
f (x)

( −43 , 3227 ) is a stationary point

For x > 4, f(x) lies below the x– axis implying
1
that also lies below the x– axis.
f (x)
At x = 1.5, f(x) has a maximum point at (1.5, Intercept:
6.25) For the x–intercept, y = 0
2
1 x ( x +2 )=0
⇒ has minimum point at (1.5, 0.16)
f (x) x=0 , x=−2
1 The curve cuts the x – axis at (0, 0) and (-2, 0)
If f(x) 0, ±∞ For the y – axis, x = 0 and y=0
f (x)
The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, 0)

14
We can now sketch the graph of
2
y=f ( x )=x ( x +2 ).

Example
x (x−5)
Show that f ( x )= has no turning
For x ←2 , f (x) lies below the x–axis implying (x−3)(x+ 2)
1 1
that also lies below the x – axis points. Sketch the curve y=f ( x ) .If g(x )=
f (x) f (x)
For −2< x <0 , f(x) lies above the x–axis Sketch the graph of f ( x )∧g (x) on the same axes
1 Solution
implying that also lies above the x – axis
f (x) y=f ( x )
For x >0 , f ( x) lies above the x – axis implying 2
x −5 x
1 y= 2
that also lies above the x – axis x −x−6
f (x)
−4
At x= , f (x) has a maximum point at
3 2
4 x −12 x +30=0
(−4 32
,
3 27 ) 2
2 x −6 x+15=0
−4 1
At x= , has a minimum point at
3 f (x)
6 ± √−48
(−4 27
,
3 32 ) x=
4
The curve has no turning point
1
At (0, 0), f (x) has a minimum point. has
f (x) Intercepts:

maximum point 0 , , ⇒ ( ) 1
0
1
f (x)
has only one
For the x-intercept, y = 0
x ( x−5)
=0
( x−3)(x +2)
turning with a minimum at ( −4 27
,
3 32 ) because x=0 , x=5
The curve f ( x ) cuts the x – axis at (0, 0) and (5,
( ) 1
the maximum point 0 , is not defined.
0 0)
For the y – axis, x = 0
1
When f(x) 0, ±∞ 0
f (x) y= , y=0
−6
x = 0 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of the
The curve f ( x ) cuts the y – axis at (0, 0)
1
curve y= Asymptotes
f (x)

15
 x (x−5)
y=
( x−3)(x+ 2)

2
x −5 x
y= 2
x −x−6

(By long division)

6 4
−
x x
2
y=1−
1 6
1− − 2
x x
As ,y 1
y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve 1
We can now sketch the graph of using the
y=f ( x ) f (x)
For vertical asymptote f(x) known graph of f ( x )
x2 – x – 6 = 0 For x ←2 the graph of f ( x ) lies above the x – axis
x = 3 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of f(x) implying that g ( x )lies above the x – axis
Does the curve f (x) cut the horizontal For −2< x <0
asymptote?
2 f ( x ) lies below the x–axis implying that g ( x ) also
x −5 x
y= 2 lies below the x–axis
x −x−6
2 For 0< x <3 , f ( x) lies above the x–axis implying
x −5 x
1= 2 that g ( x ) also lies above the x – axis
x −x−6
2 2 For 3< x <5 , f (x) lies below the x – axis, g ( x )also
x −x−6=x −5 x
lies below the x – axis
4 x=6
x=1.5 For x >5 , f (x ) lies above the x – axis also g ( x ) lies
The curve f (x) cut the horizontal asymptote at above the x – axis
(1.5, 1) When f(x) 0
Where does the curve of y=f (x ) lie.
x ( x−5 ) g(x) = ±∞
y= =f ( x )
( x−3 )( x +2 )
x ( x−5 )=0 g(x) =
( x−3 ) ( x+2 )=0
x=0 , x=5 , x=3 , x=−2 x = 0 and x = 5 are vertical asymptotes of
x<-2 -2<x<0 0<x<3 3<x<5 x>5
x(x-5) +ve +ve −ve −ve +ve
(x-3)(x+2) +ve −ve −ve +ve +ve
y +ve −ve +ve −ve +ve

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