FUNCTIONS

PART ONE
• A function is a mathematical relationship that uniquely relates the value of one variable to the value of one or more
other variables.
• Every input variable has one output variable. The input is the number or value put into the function.
• The output is the number or value the function gives. In functions, the 𝑥-variable is known as the input or
independent variable, because its value can be chosen freely. The calculated 𝒚-variable is known as the output or
dependent variable, because its value depends on the chosen input value.
• Functions can be written in terms of 𝑦 or 𝑓(𝑥). We can also use other letter such as 𝑔 𝑥 or ℎ(𝑥) to show that
each 𝑦-value is a function of an 𝑥-value.
• Graphs can be drawn from function equations.
Exponential graph

The general equation for the exponential function is is given by

𝑦 = 𝑎. 𝑏 𝑥− 𝑝 + 𝑞 where 𝑏 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 ≠ 1

 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants

 𝑞 is the 𝑦-asymptote.
Shape of the exponential graph

The value of 𝒃 determines the shape of the graph:

 If 0 < 𝑏 < 1, 𝑓 𝑥 is a decreasing function.
 If 𝑏 > 1, 𝑓 𝑥 is an increasing function

 If 𝑏 ≤ 0 , 𝑓 𝑥 is not defined.
Asymptote of the exponential graph

 𝑞 is the 𝑦-asymptote.

 For example if given the equation

𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 2

The equation of the asymptote is 𝑦 = −2 as

shown in the diagram below
PRACTISE QUESTIONS
ON
EXPONENTIAL GRAPHS
2015 November Paper 1 Q 4

Given 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥+1 − 8

4.1 Write down the equation of the asymptote of 𝑓. (1)

4.2 Sketch the graph of 𝑓. Clearly indicate ALL intercepts

with the axes as well as the asymptote. (4)

4.3 The graph of 𝑔 is obtained by reflecting the graph of 𝑓 in

the 𝑦-axis Write down the equation of 𝑔. (1)
2016 March Paper 1 Q 4 NOTE:
The average gradient of a function between any
Given: 𝑓 𝑥 = 2−𝑥 + 1 two points is defined to be the gradient of the line
4.1 Determine the coordinates of the 𝑦-intercept of 𝑓. (1) joining the two points.

4.2 Sketch the graph of 𝑓, clearly indicating ALL

intercepts with the axes as well as any asymptotes. (3)
4.3 Calculate the average gradient of 𝑓 between the
points on the graph where 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 1. (3)
4.4 If ℎ 𝑥 = 3𝑓 𝑥 , write down an equation of the asymptote
of ℎ. (1)
2015 Eastern Cape November Paper 1 Q 8

The sketch below shows the graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑎 𝑥 − 1.

The point A (1; 5) is a point on the graph

8.1 Show that 𝑎 = 3 (2)

8.2 Determine the 𝑦 -intercept of 𝑓 𝑥 (2)
8.3 Write down the range of 𝑓 (1)
8.4 Determine 𝑓 0.23 , rounded off to three
decimal places. (2)
8.5 Write down the equation if 𝑓 𝑥 is reflected about
the 𝑥-axis followed by a translation of 2 units to the left. (2)
2020 Eastern Cape November Exemplar Paper 1 Q 7
CONTINUED…………..
2016 November Paper 1 Q 7 7.1 Show that the equation of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2(3)𝑥+1 + 2 (3)
The sketch below is the graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2. 𝑏 𝑥+1 + 𝑞. 7.2 Calculate the 𝑦-coordinate of the point B (1)
The graph of 𝑓 passes through the points 𝐴(1; 20) and 7.3 Determine the average gradient of the curve between
𝐵 −1; 𝑦 . The line 𝑦 = 2 is an asymptote of 𝑓 points A and B (2)
7.4 A new function ℎ is obtained when 𝑓 is reflected about
asymptote. Determine the equation of ℎ (2)
7.5 Write down the range of ℎ (1)
FUNCTIONS
PART TWO
The Parabola or Quadratic Graph

The general equation of a parabola can be written

in one of three formats:

 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 [standard form]

2
 𝑦 =𝑎 𝑥+𝑝 + 𝑞 [turning point form]

 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 ) [root form]

SHAPE

 The value of 𝑎 (coefficient of 𝑥 2 ) determines the shape of the graph

Axis of Symmetry

 The axis of symmetry of a parabola is a vertical line that

divides the parabola into two congruent halves.

 The axis of symmetry always passes through the vertex of

the parabola .

 The 𝑥-coordinate of the vertex is the equation of the axis of

symmetry of the parabola

 The value of 𝑥 in the axis of symmetry equation is also the

𝑥-coordinate of the turning point of the graph.
 Calculating the axis of symmetry
 Given the standard format of a parabola
i.e.
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
 The equation of the axis of symmetry
is given by

−𝑏
𝑥=
2𝑎

NOTE:

To find the 𝑦-coordinate of the axis

of symmetry( turning point), one
must substitute the 𝑥 value of the
turning point( axis of symmetry into
the original equation
The value of 𝒄

 Given the standard format of a parabola i.e.

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

 The value of c gives the 𝑦-intercept of the graph shown on

the diagram alongside
Completing the square Example:
Rewrite the equation 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥 − 8 in the format
 Graphs of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 [standard form] can 𝑦 =𝑎 𝑥+𝑝 2
+ 𝑞 and hence state the coordinates of
2
be converted into the form 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑝 + 𝑞 [turning the turning point
point form] by completing the square

 By completing the square for the standard form of the

equation of a parabola, it can be re-written as:

𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 + 𝒑)𝟐 + 𝒒

𝑝: 𝑥-coordinate of turning point or line of symmetry

𝑞: 𝑦-coordinate of turning point. In other words (𝑝; 𝑞) are just

the turning points
 The Linear or Straight Line Graph
It is given by the equation: 𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒄
where: 𝑚 is the gradient or slope of the graph 𝑐: 𝑦-intercept

Gradient or slope of the graph: 𝑚

It is found by using any two points on the graph 𝑦-intercept

and the equation shown on the diagram below
PRACTISE QUESTIONS ON
QUADRATIC AND STRAIGHT
LINE GRAPHS
2008 Standard Grade Paper 1 Q 2
The graph below, which is not drawn to scale, shows a parabola
with 𝑥-intercepts at A −3; 0 and B. The axis of symmetry has
equation 𝑥 = −1 and the 𝑦-intercept is C (0; −6).

Determine:
2.1.1 The coordinates of B. (2)
2.1.2 The equation of the parabola. (5)
2.1.3 The coordinates of the turning point D. (4)
CONTINUED…… 2.1.4 The equation of the straight line passing through
A and C. (2)
2.1.5 The values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0. (2)
2017 November Paper 1 Q 6
CONTINUED……………..
2020 Eastern Cape November Exemplar Paper 1 Q 5
Given 𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 7

5.1 Determine the coordinate of the turning

point of 𝑓. (3)

5.2 Determine the 𝑥-intercept of 𝑓 (2)

5.3 Draw a neat sketch of 𝑓, clearly indicating all

the intercepts with the axes and the turning point. (4)

5.4 Write down the equation of the axis of symmetry

of 𝑓 (1)

5.5 Determine the average gradient of 𝑓

between 𝑥 = −3 and 𝑥 = 1 (4)

5.6 The graph of 𝑓 is shifted 4 units to the left and reflected

in the 𝑥-axis to form ℎ. Write down the equation of ℎ
in the form ℎ 𝑥 = 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑝)2 + 𝑞 (2)
2019 Eastern Cape Exemplar Paper 1 Q 6
CONTINUED……
2022 Gauteng November Paper 1 Q 7
CONTINUED……
2015 Eastern Cape November Paper 1 Q 9
FUNCTIONS
PART THREE
The Hyperbola

It is given by the general equation:

𝑎
𝑦= + 𝑞
𝑥+ 𝑝
The shape of the graph is determined by the value of 𝑎

 𝑥 + 𝑝 = 0 vertical asymptote. The equation of the vertical

asymptote will be 𝑥 = −𝑝

 𝑦 = 𝑞 horizontal asymptote. The equation of the vertical

asymptote will be y = 𝑞
The asymptote is an imaginary line that a graph approaches but
never touches. It indicates the values of 𝑥 for which the function
does not exist. These values are excluded from the domain and the
range.
 Domain : 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅; 𝑥 ≠ −𝑝
 𝑦 ∈ 𝑅; 𝑥 ≠ 𝑞
Shape of the graph

 The value of 𝑎 that indicates the shape of the graph

Axis of symmetry

 A line of symmetry is an imaginary line that divides a

graph into two mirror images of each other.
 There are two lines about which a hyperbola is
symmetrical:

 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝑐 (increasing function or positive gradient

 and 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 𝑐 (decreasing function or negative

gradient)

 𝑥 and 𝑦 are the asymptote values of the equation

For example a hyperbola with the 𝑥-asymptote at 𝑥 = −1

and the 𝑦-asymptote at 𝑦 = −3 would have the equation of
symmetry for the decreasing function as
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 𝑐
−3 = − (−1) + 𝑐
𝑐 = −4
Therefore, the equation is : 𝑦 = −𝑥 − 4
Note: the two line of the axis of symmetry intersect at the
points ( 𝑝; 𝑞)
 PAST EXAM
PRACTISE QUESTIONS
2016 Kwazulu Natal Preliminary Paper 1 Q 6 6.4 If 𝑔 𝑥 = ℎ(𝑥 + 2) , write down the equation of the
𝑎 vertical asymptote of 𝑔. (2)
The diagram below shows the graph of ℎ 𝑥 = +𝑞.
𝑥+𝑝
6.5 If the graph of ℎ is symmetrical about the line 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 𝑐
The lines 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑦 = −2 are asymptotes of ℎ. P (−4; 4)
, determine the value of 𝑐. (2)
is a point on ℎ.

6.1 Write down the values of 𝑝 and 𝑞. (2)

6.2 Calculate the value of 𝑎. (2)
6.3 Calculate the coordinates of the 𝑦-intercept of ℎ. (2)
2018 Eastern Cape June Paper 1 Q 4
−3
Given the equation of 𝑓, a hyperbola, 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1 + 5, answer

the questions that follow.

4.1 Calculate the 𝑦-intercept of 𝑓. (1)
4.2 Calculate the 𝑥-intercept of 𝑓. (2)
4.3 Sketch the graph of 𝑓, clearly indicating the
asymptotes and intercepts with axes. (3)
4.4 Write down the equation of the graph formed if the graph
𝑓 is shifted 3 units to the right and then reflected across the
𝑥-axis. (3)
2014 Exemplar Paper 1 Q 4

2
4.1 Given: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 − 3

4.1.1 Calculate the coordinates of the 𝑦-intercept of 𝑓. (2)

4.1.2 Calculate the coordinates of the 𝑥-intercept of 𝑓. (2)
4.1.3 Sketch the graph of 𝑓 in your ANSWER BOOK, showing
clearly the asymptotes and the intercepts with the axes. (3)
4.1.4 One of the axes of symmetry of 𝑓 is a decreasing
function. Write down the equation of this axis of symmetry. (2)
4.2 The graph of an increasing exponential function with
equation 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎. 𝑏 𝑥 + 𝑞
 Range: 𝑦 > −3
 The points (0; −2) and 1; −1 lie on the graph of 𝑓.
4.2.1 Determine the equation that defines 𝑓. (4)
4.2.1 Describe the transformation from 𝑓 𝑥 to
ℎ 𝑥 = 2.2𝑥 + 1. (2)
2017 November Paper 1 Q 5
2019 November Paper 1 Q 5
2019 November Paper 1 Q 6.1-6.6
2019 November Paper 1 Q 7