Pre-Calculus

MAT 116
Lecture 2: Graphs by Plotting Points and Finding Intercepts, Test for Symmetry

Dr. Md. Alamin (PhD, ZJU)

Assistant Professor, DMP, NSU
Email: [email protected]
Profile link: https://www.northsouth.edu/faculty-members/seps/mathematics-physics/md.-alamin.html

1
4 Sep 2024
 Contents
▪ Introduction to Graphs

1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points

2. Find Intercepts from a Graph

3. Find Intercepts from an Equation

4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to

the x-Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin

5. Know How to Graph Key Equations 2

Introduction to Graphs
Graphs
▪ Graphs are powerful visual
representations of data. They allow
us to understand relationships
between variables and make
predictions about future trends.
▪ Graphs play an important role in
helping us to visualize the
relationships that exist between two
variables or quantities.
 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points

An equation in two variables, say x and y, is a

statement in which two expressions involving x and
y are equal. The expressions are called the sides of
the equation.

Since an equation is a statement, it may be true or

false, depending on the value of the variables. Any
values of x and y that result in a true statement are
said to satisfy the equation.
 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points (cont.)
For example, the following are all equations in two variables x and y:

The graph of an equation in two variables x and y consists of the set

of points in the xy-plane whose coordinates 1 x, y2 satisfy the equation.
 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points (cont.)
Determining Whether a Point Is on the Graph of an equation
Example 1

Solution (a) For the point (2, 3), check to see whether x = 2, y = 3 satisfies the
equation 2x - y = 6.

2x - y = 2(2) - 3 = 4 - 3 = 1 ≠ 6

The equation is not satisfied, so point (2, 3) is not on the graph of 2x - y = 6.

 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points (cont.)
Determining Whether a Point Is on the Graph of an equation

Solution (b) For the point (2, -2)

2x - y = 2(2) – (-2) = 4 + 2 = 6

The equation is satisfied, so point (2, -2) is on the graph of 2x - y = 6.

 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points (cont.)
Example 2: Graphing an equation by Plotting Points

Graph the equation: y = 2x + 5

Solution
The graph consists of all points (x, y) that satisfy the equation. To locate some of
these points (and get an idea of the pattern of the graph), assign some numbers to x,
and find corresponding values for y.
 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points (cont.)
By plotting these points and then connecting them, we obtain the graph of the
equation (a line), as shown in Figure 12.
 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points (cont.)
Example 3: Graphing an equation by Plotting Points

Solution
Table 1 provides several points on the graph. Plotting these points and connecting
them with a smooth curve gives the graph (a parabola) shown in Figure 13.

Table 1
 1. Graph Equation by Plotting Points (cont.)

The graphs of the equations shown in Figures 12 and 13 do not show all points.
For example, in Figure 12, the point (20, 45) is a part of the graph of y = 2x + 5,
but it is not shown. Since the graph of y = 2x + 5 can be extended out indefinitely, we
use arrows to indicate that the pattern shown continues.
 2. Find Intercepts from a Graph
The points, if any, at which a graph crosses or touches the coordinate axes are called
the intercepts. See Figure 14. The x-coordinate of a point at which the graph crosses
or touches the x-axis is an x-intercept, and the y-coordinate of a point at which the
graph crosses or touches the y-axis is a y-intercept.
 2. Find Intercepts from a Graph (End)
Example 4: Finding Intercept from a Graph
Find the intercepts of the graph in Figure 15. What are its x-intercepts? What are its
y-intercepts?
 3. Find Intercepts from an Equation
The intercepts of a graph can be found from its equation by using the fact that points on the x-
axis have y-coordinates equal to 0, and points on the y-axis have x-coordinates equal to 0.
Finding the x-intercept and y-intercept
x-intercept y-intercept
The point where the graph intersects the x-axis, where The point where the graph intersects the y-axis, where
the y-coordinate is zero. where the x-coordinate is zero.
 3. Find Intercepts from an Equation (cont.)
Example 5: Finding Intercept from an Equation
Find the x-intercept(s) and the y-intercept(s) of the graph of y = x2 - 4. Then graph
y = x2 - 4 by plotting points.

Solution
 3. Find Intercepts from an Equation (End)
Since x2 ≥ 0 for all x, we deduce from the equation y = x2 - 4 that y ≥ - 4 for all x. This
information, the intercepts, and the points from Table 2 enable us to graph
y = x2 - 4. See Figure 16.
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to
the x-Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Another helpful tool for graphing equations by hand involves symmetry, particularly
symmetry with respect to the x-axis, the y-axis, and the origin.

Symmetry often occurs in nature. Consider the picture of the butterfly. Do you see
the symmetry?
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to
the x-Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Points Symmetric with respect to the x-Axis

Definition
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to the x-
Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin

Figure 17 illustrates the definition. Note that when a graph is symmetric with respect to the
x-axis, the part of the graph above the x-axis is a reflection (or mirror image) of the part
below it, and vice versa.

Figure 17. Symmetry with respect to the x-axis

4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to the x-
Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Example 6: Points Symmetric with respect to the x-Axis

If a graph is symmetric with respect to the x-axis,

and the point (3, 2) is on the graph, then the
point (3, -2) is also on the graph.
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to
the x-Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Points Symmetric with respect to the y-Axis

Definition
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to the x-
Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin

Points Symmetric with respect to the y-Axis

Figure 18 illustrates the definition. When a graph is symmetric with respect to the y-
axis, the part of the graph to the right of the y-axis is a reflection of the part to the left
of it, and vice versa.

Figure 18. Symmetry with respect to the y-axis

 4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to the x-
Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin

Example 7: Points Symmetric with respect to the y-Axis

If a graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis, and the point

(5, 8) is on the graph, then the point (-5, 8) is also on the graph.
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to
the x-Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Points Symmetric with respect to the origin

Definition
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to the x-
Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Points Symmetric with respect to the origin

Symmetry with respect to the origin may be viewed in three ways:

1. As a reflection about the y-axis, followed by a reflection about the x-axis

2. As a projection along a line through the origin so that the distances from the

origin are equal

3. As half of a complete revolution about the origin

 4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to the x-
Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Points Symmetric with respect to the origin

Figure 19. Symmetry with respect to the x-axis

Example 8: Points Symmetric with respect to the origin

If a graph is symmetric with respect to the origin, and the point (4, 2) is on the graph, then the
point (-4, -2) is also on the graph.
Analyzing Symmetry in Graphs

Symmetry About the y-axis Symmetry About the x-axis Symmetry About the Origin
axis axis Origin
If the graph is identical on both sides If the graph is identical on both sides If the graph is identical when rotated
of the y-axis. sides of the x-axis. rotated 180 degrees about the origin.
origin.
4. Test an Equation for Symmetry with Respect to the x-
Axis, the y-Axis, and the Origin
Tests for Symmetry

To test the graph of an equation for symmetry with respect to the

x-Axis Replace y by - y in the equation and simplify. If an equivalent equation
results, the graph of the equation is symmetric with respect to the x-axis.

y-Axis Replace x by - x in the equation and simplify. If an equivalent equation

results, the graph of the equation is symmetric with respect to the y-axis.

Origin Replace x by - x and y by −y in the equation and simplify. If an equivalent equation

results, the graph of the equation is symmetric with respect to the origin.
Example 9. Testing an equation for Symmetry

Solution
x-Axis:
Example 9. Testing an equation for Symmetry

Solution
y-Axis
Example 9. Testing an equation for Symmetry

Solution
Origin:
 5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
Example 10. Graphing the equation y = x3 by Finding Intercepts, Checking for
Symmetry, and Plotting Points

Graph the equation y = x3 by plotting points. Find any intercepts and check for symmetry
first.
Solution:
5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
 5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
Example 11. Graphing the equation x = y2

Solution:
a) The lone intercept is (0, 0). The graph is symmetric with respect to the x-axis. Figure 22
shows the graph.
 5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
Example 11. Graphing the equation x = y2

Solution:
 5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
𝟏
Example 12. Graphing the equation 𝐲 =
𝒙
1
Graphing the equation y = . First find and check for symmetry.
𝑥

Solution:

Check for intercept first. If we let x = 0, we obtain 0 in the denominator, which makes
y undefined. We conclude that there is no y-intercept. If we let y = 0, we get the
1
equation = 0, which has no solution. We conclude that there is no x intercept.
𝑥

1
The graph of y = does not cross or touch the co-ordinate axes.
𝑥
5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
Solution:
Check for asymmetry:
 5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
Now set up Table 4, listing several points on the graph. Because of the symmetry
with respect to the origin, we use only positive values of x.
 5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
1
▪ From Table 4 we infer that if x is a large and positive number, y = is
𝑥

a positive number close to 0.

1
▪ We also infer that if x is a positive number close to 0, then y = is a
𝑥

large and positive number. Armed with this information, we can graph
the equation.
 5. Know How to Graph Key Equations
1
Figure 25 illustrates some of these points and the graph of y = . Observe how the
𝑥
absence of intercepts and the existence of symmetry with respect to the origin were
utilized.
Practical Applications of Graphing
Data Analysis
Representing data visually and identifying trends.

Modeling
Creating mathematical models to represent real-world phenomena.

Problem Solving
Solving equations graphically and finding solutions.
Conclusion and Key
Takeaways
Graphs provide a powerful tool for understanding and representing
representing data. By mastering the fundamentals of plotting,
intercepts, symmetry, and transformations, we can effectively analyze
analyze and interpret information in a visual format.
 1.2 Assess Your Understanding

1.Solve the equation 2 (x + 3) -1 = - 7.

2.Solve the equation x2 - 9 = 0.

END