Graphing functions
Any function 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) can be graphed by making a table of x-values and corresponding y-values.
Key points in graphing a function are the y-intercept(s) and x- intercept(s).
• To find the x- intercept(s) set y = 0 and solve for x.
• To find the y-intercept(s) set x = 0 and solve for y.
Here are some common functions and their graphs
• Quadratics • Exponentials
• Cubics • Logarithms
• Hyperbolas • Circles (not actually a function)
Quadratics
The highest power of x is 2 for all Quadratic
functions. They are of the form
𝒚𝒚 = 𝒂𝒂𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 + 𝒄𝒄
Their graph shape is called a parabola.
• c is the y-intercept.
• Solve the quadratic at 𝑦𝑦 = 0 to get
the roots (or zeros) of the equation
which are the x- intercepts.
• a affects the steepness of the
parabola.
• a being negative means it’s upside
down.
𝑏𝑏
• The axis of symmetry is at 𝑥𝑥 = −
2𝑎𝑎
𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏2
• The vertex is �− , 𝑐𝑐 − �
2𝑎𝑎 2𝑎𝑎
• Alternatively, complete the square so
that the equation is in the form
𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘𝑘
then the vertex is (ℎ, 𝑘𝑘)
Exercises
1) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − 3)(𝑥𝑥 + 1) (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 − 8
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Graphing functions 2
Cubics
The highest power of 𝑥𝑥 is 3. Cubic functions are of the form 𝒚𝒚 = 𝒂𝒂𝒙𝒙𝟑𝟑 + 𝒃𝒃𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 + 𝒅𝒅
• The 𝑦𝑦-intercept is 𝑑𝑑.
• A cubic in factorised form 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑏𝑏)(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑐𝑐) means the x- intercepts are 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏,
and 𝑐𝑐.
Exercises
2) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑥𝑥 − 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 − 3) (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 3 − 2
Hyperbolas
𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
Simple hyperbola equations 𝑦𝑦 = or 𝑦𝑦 = where 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏, 𝑐𝑐 can be positive or negative
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐
• Know the basic shape
𝒂𝒂
• can be positive or negative
𝒃𝒃
+ the hyperbola is in quadrants 1 & 3
- the hyperbola is in quadrants 2 & 4
• The hyperbola has two asymptotes,
o The vertical asymptote is when the
denominator = 0
o The horizontal asymptote is often the 𝑥𝑥-axis
(here the 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 axes are the asymptotes)
• 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 - intercepts may not be useful or even exist
(Asymptotes are lines that the graph runs closer and closer to but generally never crosses. They
are usually drawn as dashed lines when the asymptote is not an axis. )
Exercises
−3 4
3) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = (b) 𝑦𝑦 =
𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 − 1
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Graphing functions 3
Exponentials
Have equations of the form 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑎𝑎 𝑥𝑥
• Know the basic shape
• The horizontal asymptote is often the 𝑥𝑥-axis
• The 𝑦𝑦-intercept is 𝑏𝑏
• When 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑎𝑎−𝑥𝑥 the curve is reflected in the 𝑦𝑦-axis (ie flipped)
• 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 affect the steepness of the curve
Exercises
4) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = 3𝑥𝑥 (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 4 × 3𝑥𝑥 (c) 𝑦𝑦 = −2 × 3𝑥𝑥 (d) 𝑦𝑦 = 2 × 3−𝑥𝑥
Logarithms
Have equations of the form 𝑦𝑦 = log 𝑎𝑎 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)
The graph of a Logarithmic Function is the reflection of
the exponential graph in the line 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 (as shown here)
• Know the basic shape
• The vertical asymptote is often the 𝑦𝑦-axis
• Find the 𝑥𝑥-and 𝑦𝑦 intercepts, where they exist
Exercises
5) Graph (a) 𝑦𝑦 = log 2 𝑥𝑥 (b) 𝑦𝑦 = 2 log 3 𝑥𝑥 (c) 𝑦𝑦 = 1 + log 3 𝑥𝑥
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Graphing functions 4
Circles
Have equations where both 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 have degree 2
𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒚𝒚𝟐𝟐 = 𝒓𝒓𝟐𝟐
This is a circle with centre (0, 0) and radius 𝑟𝑟
Example: 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑦𝑦 2 = 4
If the circle is not centred on (0, 0) the equation is of the form
(𝑥𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦𝑦 − 𝑘𝑘)2 = 𝑟𝑟 2
This is a circle with centre (𝒉𝒉, 𝒌𝒌) and radius 𝑟𝑟
Example (𝑥𝑥 − 1)2 + (𝑦𝑦 + 2)2 = 9
has centre(1, −2) and radius 3.
If your equation is not in this form complete the square for 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 to put it into this form.
Eg 𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2 + 6𝑦𝑦 + 12 = 0 complete the squares for 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦
(𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 4) + (𝑦𝑦 2 + 6𝑦𝑦 + 9) = −12 + 13 to complete the square we added
4 + 9 =13 to the LHS. We must
therefore add 13 to the RHS
(𝑥𝑥 − 2)2 + (𝑦𝑦 + 3)2 = 1
So this circle is centred at (2, 3) and has a radius of 1
Exercises
6) Graph (a) (𝑥𝑥 − 3)2 + (𝑦𝑦 − 1)2 = 16 (b) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 𝑦𝑦 2 + 2𝑦𝑦 + 5 = 4
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Graphing functions 5
Answers
1. (a) (b)
2. (a) (b)
3. (a) (b)
4. (a) (b)
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Graphing functions 6
4. (c) (d)
5. (a) (b) (c)
6. (a) (b) Completing the square gives the equation as
(𝑥𝑥 − 3)2 + (𝑦𝑦 − 1)2 = 9
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