Quadratic Functions

1. The equation of a curve is y = 8x − x2.

(i) Express 8x − x2 in the form a − (x + b)2, stating the numerical values of a and b.
(ii) Hence, or otherwise, find the coordinates of the stationary point of the curve.
(iii) Find the set of values of x for which y ≥ −20.
The function g is defined by g : x → 8x − x2, for x ≥ 4.
(iv) State the domain and range of g−1.
(v) Find an expression, in terms of x, for g−1(x).

Answers: (i) 16 − (x − 4)2 , a = 16, b = − 4; (ii) (4, 16); (iii) −2 ≤ x ≤ 10;

(iv) Domain x ≤ 16, range g−1(x) ≥ 4; (v) g−1(x) = g(x) = 4 + 16 - x .
2. The functions f and g are defined as follows: f : x → x2 − 2x, g : x → 2x + 3,
(i) Find the set of values of x for which f(x) > 15.
(ii) Find the range of f and state, with a reason, whether f has an inverse.
(iii) Show that the equation gf(x) = 0 has no real solutions.
(iv) Sketch, in a single diagram, the graphs of y = g(x) and y = g−1(x), making clear the
relationship between the graphs.
Answers: (i) x < −3 and x > 5; (ii) f(x) ≥ −1, f does not have an inverse.
3. The equation of a curve is y = x2 − 3x + 4.
(i) Show that the whole of the curve lies above the x - axis.
(ii) Find the set of values of x for which x2 − 3x + 4 is a decreasing function of x.
The equation of a line is y + 2x = k, where k is a constant.
(iii) In the case where k = 6, find the coordinates of the points of intersection of the line and the
curve.
(iv) Find the value of k for which the line is a tangent to the curve.
Answers: (ii) x < 1.5; (iii) (−1, 8) and (2, 2); (iv) 3.75.
4. The function f : x .→ 2x2 − 8x + 14 is defined for x ∈ R.
(i) Find the values of the constant k for which the line y + kx = 12 is a tangent to the curve y = f(x).
(ii) Express f(x) in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants.
(iii) Find the range of f.
The function g : x .→ 2x2 − 8x + 14 is defined for x ≥ A.
(iv) Find the smallest value of A for which g has an inverse.
(v) For this value of A, find an expression for g−1(x) in terms of x.
Answers: (i) k = 12 or 4. (ii) 2(x – 2)2 + 6 (iii) Range of f , f(x) ≥ 6. (iv) A = 2
x−6
(v) f −1 ( x) = +2 .
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5. Functions f and g are defined by
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f : x → k − x for x ∈ R, where k is a constant, g : x ® for x ∈ R, x ≠ −2.
x+2
(i) Find the values of k for which the equation f(x) = g(x) has two equal roots and solve the
equation f(x) = g(x) in these cases.
(ii) Solve the equation fg(x) = 5 when k = 6. (iii) Express g−1(x) in terms of x.
9 - 2x
Answers: (i) k = 4 or −8, x = 1 or −5; (ii) 7; (iii) g-1 (x) = .
x
6. The function f is defined by f : x → 2x2 − 12x + 13 for 0 ≤ x ≤ A, where A is a constant.
(i) Express f(x) in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants.
(ii) State the value of A for which the graph of y = f(x) has a line of symmetry.
(iii) When A has this value, find the range of f.
The function g is defined by g : x → 2x2 − 12x + 13 for x ≥ 4.
(iv) Explain why g has an inverse.
(v) Obtain an expression, in terms of x, for g−1(x).
Answers: (i) 2(x − 3)2 – 5 (ii) x = 3. A = 6. (iii) − 5 ≤ y ≤ 13(iv) Inverse since 1:1
x+5
(v) g-1 (x) = + 3.
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7. The function f is defined by f : x → 2x2 − 12x + 7 for x ∈ R.
(i) Express f(x) in the form a(x − b)2 − c.
(ii) State the range of f.
(iii) Find the set of values of x for which f(x) < 21.
The function g is defined by g : x .→ 2x + k for x ∈R.
(iv) Find the value of the constant k for which the equation gf(x) = 0 has two equal roots.
Answers: (i) 2( x − 3)2 − 11 (ii) Range of f ≥ − 11 (iii) −1 < x < 7 (iv) k = 22.
8. (i) Express 2x2 + 8x − 10 in the form a(x + b)2 + c.
(ii) For the curve y = 2x2 + 8x − 10 , state the least value of y and the corresponding value of x.
(iii) Find the set of values of x for which y ≥ 14.
Given that f : x → 2x2 + 8x – 10 for the domain x ≥ k.
(iv) Find the least value of k for which f is one-one,
(v) Express f −1 (x) in terms of x in this case.
Answers: (i) a = 2, b = 2, c = −18; (ii) x = −2, y = −18; (iii) x ≥ 2, x ≤ − 6; (iv) −2;
x +18
(v) f -1 (x) = - 2.
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9. Functions f and g are defined by f : x → 2x − 5, x ∈ R, g : x ® , x ∈ R, x ≠ 2.
2-x
(i) Find the value of x for which fg(x) = 7.
(ii) Express each of f −1(x) and g−1(x) in terms of x.
(iii) Show that the equation f −1(x) = g−1(x) has no real roots.
(iv) Sketch, on a single diagram, the graphs of y = f(x) and y = f −1(x), making clear the
relationship between these two graphs.
 1 x+5 2x - 4
Answers: (i) 1 ; (ii) f -1 (x) = , g-1 (x) = ; (iv) Sketch - symmetry about y = x.
3 2 x
10. The function f : x → 2x − a, where a is a constant, is defined for all real x.
(i) In the case where a = 3, solve the equation ff (x) = 11.
The function g : x → x2 − 6x is defined for all real x.
(ii) Find the value of a for which the equation f(x) = g(x) has exactly one real solution.
The function h : x → x2 − 6x is defined for the domain x ≥ 3.
(iii) Express x2 − 6x in the form (x − p)2 − q, where p and q are constants.
(iv) Find an expression for h−1(x) and state the domain of h−1.
Answers: (i) x = 5; (ii) a = 16; (iii) p = 3 and q = 9; (iv) h –1(x) = √(x + 9) + 3, x ≥ – 9.
11. Express 4x2 + 12x + 10 in the form (ax + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants.
(i) Functions f and g are both defined for x > 0. It is given that f(x) = x2 + 1 and
fg(x) = 4x2 + 12x + 10. Find g(x).
(ii) Find (fg)−1(x) and give the domain of (fg)−1.
x −1 − 3
(iii) Answers: (2x + 3)2 +1 (i) g(x) = 2x + 3. (ii) ( fg) −1 ( x) = ; x > 10
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12. The function f is defined by f : x → 2x2 − 8x + 11.
(i) Express f(x) in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants.
(ii) State the range of f.
(iii) Explain why f does not have an inverse.
The function g is defined by g : x → 2x2 − 8x + 11 for x ≤ A, where A is a constant.
(iv) State the largest value of A for which g has an inverse.
(v) When A has this value, obtain an expression, in terms of x, for g−1(x) and state the range
of g−1.
Answers: (i) 2(x − 2)2 + 3 ; (ii) f(x) ≥ 3; (iii) f is not one - one; (iv) 2;
x − 3 −1
(v) f −1 ( x) = 2 − , g (x) ≤ 2.
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13. Write x2 + 6kx +144 in the form (x + p)2 + q and thus obtain expression for p and q in terms of k.
Hence find the range of values of k such that x2 + 6kx +144 is positive for all values of x.
Answers: p = 3k; q = 144 – 9k2; – 4 < k < 4.
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14. The function f defined by f : x → 2x − 6x + 5, for the domain 1 ≤ x ≤ 4. Find the range of f.
Answers: 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 13.

15. The function f is defined by f : x → 3x − 2 .

(i) Sketch, in a single diagram, the graphs of y = f(x) and y = f −1(x), making clear the
relationship between the two graphs.
The function g is defined by g : x → 6x − x2 .
(ii) Express gf(x) in terms of x, and hence show that the maximum value of gf(x) is 9. The
function h is defined by h : x → 6x − x2 for x ≥ 3.
(iii) Express 6x − x2 in the form a − (x − b)2, where a and b are positive constants.
(iv) Express h−1(x) in terms of x.
Answers: (ii) − 9x2 + 30x − 16; (iii) 9 − (x − 3)2 ; (iv) 3 + √(9 – x) .
16. Express 2x2 – 8x + 5 in the form a(x + b)2 + c where a ,b and c are integers. The function f is
defined by f :x → 2x2 – 8x + 5for the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 5.
(i) Find the range of f .
(ii) Explain why f does not have an inverse.
The function g is defined by g:x→ 2x2 – 8x + 5 for the domain x ≤ k.
(iii) Find the smallest value of k for which g has an inverse.
(iv) For this value of k, find an expression for g – 1.
x+3
Answers: (i) 2(x − 2)2 − 3 ; (ii) k = 2; (iii) f −1 ( x) = 2 − .
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17. Express 6 + 4x – x2 in the form a(x +b)2, where a and b are integers.
(i) Find the coordinates of the turning point of the curve y = 6 + 4x – x2 and determine the
nature of this turning point.
The function f is defined by f :x → 6 + 4x – x2 for the domain 0 ≤ x ≤ 5.
(ii) Find the range of f.
(iii) State, giving a reason, whether or not f has an inverse.
Answers: 10 – (x – 2)2; (i) (2, 10), maximum; (ii) 1 ≤ f (x) ≤ 10; (iii) No inverse; f is not one - one.
18. Express 2x2 – 8x + 3 in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are integers. A function f is
defined by f : x → 2x2 – 8x + 3, x ∈ R.
(i) Find the coordinates of the stationary point on the graph of y = f (x).
(ii) Find the value of f 2 (0).
A function g is defined by g : x → 2x2 – 8x + 3, x ∈ R, where x ≤ N.
(iii) State the greatest value of N for which g has an inverse.
(iv) Using the result obtained in part (i), find an expression for g –1.
x+5
Answers: 2(x – 2)2 – 5 ; (i) (2, – 5); (ii) f 2 (0) = – 3; (iii) N = 2; (iv) g-1 (x) = 2 - .
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19. Find the values of k for which y = kx + 2 is a tangent to the curve y = 4x2 + 2x + 3.
(i) Express 4x2 + 2x + 3 in the form a(x + b)2 + c, where a, b and c are constants.
(ii) Determine, with explanation, whether or not the curve y = 4x2 + 2x + 3 meets the x - axis.
The function f is defined by f : x → 4x2 + 2x + 3 where x ≥ p.
(iii) Determine the smallest value of p for which f has an inverse.
æ 1 ö 11
2
1
Answers: k = – 2, 6 ; (i) 4 ç x + ÷ + ; (ii) No real roots ; (iii) p = - .
è 4ø 4 4
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20. The function f is such that f(x) = 2x + 3 for x ≥ 0. The function g is such that g(x) = ax + b for
x ≤ q, where a, b and q are constants. The function fg is such that fg(x) = 6x2 − 21 for x ≤ q.
(i) Find the values of a and b.
(ii) Find the greatest possible value of q.
It is now given that q = −3.
(iii) Find the range of fg.
(iv) Find an expression for (fg)−1(x) and state the domain of( fg)−1.
x + 21
Answers: (i) a = 3, b = − 12; (ii) q = − 2; (iii) y ≥ 33; (iv) ( fg) −1 ( x) = − ; x ≥ 33.
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