Analyzing Graphs of Functions and

Relations
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Students will be able to:

1 Use graphs of functions to estimate function values and find
domains, ranges, y-intercepts, and zeros of functions.

2 Explore symmetries of graphs, and identify even and odd

functions.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

The graph of a function is the set of ordered pairs, in the

coordinate plane, such that is the domain of .
• the directed distance from the -axis
• the directed distance from the -axis

You can use the graph to estimate function values.

Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 1: Use a graph of each function to estimate the

indicated function values. Then find the values algebraically.
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=|( 𝒙 −𝟑 )𝟐 −𝟐| 𝒇 ( 𝟑 )=? 𝒇 ( 𝟒 )=?
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 1: Use a graph of each function to estimate the

indicated function values. Then find the values algebraically.
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=|( 𝒙 −𝟑 )𝟐 −𝟐|
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
y


𝒇 ( 𝟑 )=𝟐



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 1: Use a graph of each function to estimate the

indicated function values. Then find the values algebraically.
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=|( 𝒙 −𝟑 )𝟐 −𝟐|

𝑨𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝐲
𝒇 ( 𝟑 )=|(𝟑 −𝟑 ) −𝟐|=|𝟎 −𝟐|=𝟐
𝟐

𝒇 ( 𝟒 )=|( 𝟒 −𝟑 )𝟐 −𝟐|=|𝟏 − 𝟐|=|−𝟏|=𝟏

Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 1: Use a graph of each function to estimate the

indicated function values. Then find the values algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟒 𝒙 +𝟒 𝒇 ( 𝟑 )=? 𝒇 ( 𝟒 )=?
y



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 1: Use a graph of each function to estimate the

indicated function values. Then find the values algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟒 𝒙 +𝟒

y
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 1: Use a graph of each function to estimate the

indicated function values. Then find the values algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟒 𝒙 +𝟒

𝑨𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝐲
𝒇 ( 𝟎 )=𝟎 𝟐+ 𝟒 ∗𝟎+ 𝟒=𝟒
𝒇 ( − 𝟐 )=( − 𝟐 )𝟐+ 𝟒 ( −𝟐 ) + 𝟒=𝟒 −𝟖+𝟒=𝟎
𝟐
𝒇 ( − 𝟒 ) =( −𝟒 ) + 𝟒 (− 𝟒 ) + 𝟒=𝟏𝟔 −𝟏𝟔+ 𝟒=𝟒
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Identifying Intercepts from a Functions Graph

A point where the graph intersects or meets the or
axis is called an intercept.
An -intercept occurs where .
A -intercept occurs where .
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 2: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

–intercept. Then find the –intercept algebraically.
a. 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ) =|𝒙 − 𝟒|
y



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 2: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

–intercept. Then find the –intercept algebraically.
a. 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ) =|𝒙 − 𝟒|

y
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 2: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

–intercept. Then find the –intercept algebraically.
a. 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ) =|𝒙 − 𝟒|

𝑨𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
-intercept occurs where
𝒈 ( 𝟎 )=|𝟎 −𝟒|=|−𝟒|
𝒈 ( 𝟎 )=𝟒
𝒚 – 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 =𝟒
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 2: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

–intercept. Then find the –intercept algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟑 𝒙+ 𝟒
y



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 2: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

–intercept. Then find the –intercept algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟑 𝒙+ 𝟒
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
y


𝟐
𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 +𝟑 𝒙+ 𝟒


𝒚 – 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 =𝟒

x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 2: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

–intercept. Then find the –intercept algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟐 +𝟑 𝒙+ 𝟒

𝑨𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
-intercept occurs where
𝒇 ( 𝟎 )=𝟎 𝟐+𝟑 ∗ 𝟎+𝟒
𝒇 ( 𝟎 )=𝟒
𝒚 – 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 =𝟒
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Zeros of a Function
• The zeros of function are –values for which
• If the graph of a function of has an -intercept at
then is a zero of the function.
• To find the zeros of a function, set the function
equal to zero and solve for the independent
variable.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 3: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

zeros. Then find the zeros of each function algebraically.
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=− 𝒙 𝟐 −𝟐 𝒙 𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔=? y



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 3: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

zeros. Then find the zeros of each function algebraically.
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=− 𝒙 𝟐 −𝟐 𝒙 𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔=?
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
y



𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=− 𝒙𝟐 −𝟐 𝒙

x
𝒙 − 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬 −𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟎
         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 3: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

zeros. Then find the zeros of each function algebraically.
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=− 𝒙 𝟐 −𝟐 𝒙 𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔=?
𝑨𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=𝟎
− 𝒙 𝟐 −𝟐 𝒙=𝟎
− 𝒙 ( 𝒙 +𝟐 ) =𝟎
𝒙=𝟎 𝒐𝒓 𝒙=−𝟐
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒛𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝟎 𝒂𝒏𝒅−𝟐
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 3: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

zeros. Then find the zeros of each function algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟑 +𝟑 𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔=? y



x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 3: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

zeros. Then find the zeros of each function algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟑 +𝟑 𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔=?
𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
y



𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙𝟑 +𝟑

x
𝒙 − 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬 ≈ 𝟏.𝟑
         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 3: Use the graph of each function to approximate its

zeros. Then find the zeros of each function algebraically.
b. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 )= 𝒙 𝟑 +𝟑 𝒁𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔=?
𝑨𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚
𝒇 ( 𝒙 )=𝟎
𝒙 𝟑 +𝟑=𝟎
𝒙𝟑 =−𝟑
𝒙= √− 𝟑
𝟑

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒛𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒇 𝒇 𝒊𝒔 √− 𝟑≈− 𝟏.𝟒𝟒

𝟑
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Symmetry of Graphs
There are two possible types of symmetry that graphs of functions
can have.
1. Line symmetry - graphs can be folded along a line so that the
two halves match exactly.
2. Point symmetry - graphs can be rotated 180° with respect to a
point and appear unchanged.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Tests for Symmetry
Graphical Test Algebraic Test

The graph of a relation is symmetric with respect Replacing with - produces an equivalent
to the -axis if and only if for every point (, on equation.
the graph, the point (, is also on the graph.
The graph of a relation is symmetric with respect Replacing with - produces an equivalent
to the -axis if and only if for every point (on the equation.
graph, the point (is also on the graph.
The graph of a relation is symmetric with respect Replacing with - and with - produces an
to the origin if and only if for every point ( on equivalent equation.
the graph, the point (is also on the graph.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
𝟐
a. 𝒚= 
y

𝒙 


x

         









Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
𝟐
a. 𝒚= 
y

𝒙 

Graphically


The graph appears to be symmetric          

x

with respect to the origin 

because for every point (, ) on the





graph, there is a point 

(- ,- ). 
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
𝟐 Support Numerically
a. 𝒚 =
𝒙
There is a table of values to support this conjecture.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
𝟐 Algebraically
a. 𝒚 =
𝒙
Because is equivalent to
the graph is symmetric with respect to the origin.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
𝟐
𝟒 𝒙+ 𝒚 =𝟒
y

b. 

       








Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
b. 𝟒 𝒙+ 𝒚 𝟐=𝟒 
y

Graphically 

The graph appears to be symmetric        

x

with respect to the x -axis 

because for every point (, ) on the 

graph, there is a point





(,- ).
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
𝟐 Support Numerically
b. 𝟒 𝒙+ 𝒚 =𝟒
There is a table of values to support this conjecture.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Sample Problem 4: Use the graph of each equation to test for
symmetry with respect to the -axis, -axis, and the origin. Support the
answer numerically. Then confirm algebraically.
𝟐 Algebraically
b. 𝟒 𝒙+ 𝒚 =𝟒
𝟐
𝟒 𝒙+ ( − 𝒚 ) =𝟒
𝟒 𝒙+ 𝒚 𝟐=𝟒
Becauseis equivalent to
the graph is symmetric with respect to the .
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Identify Even and Odd Functions

If then the function is even, and symmetric to the y-axis.
If then the function is odd, and symmetric to the origin.
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 5: Determine whether the following are even, odd,

or neither.
𝟒
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) = 𝒙 +𝟒
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 5: Determine whether the following are even, odd,

or neither.
𝟒
a. 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) = 𝒙 +𝟒
𝟒
𝒇 ( − 𝒙 ) =( − 𝒙 ) +𝟒
𝒇 ( − 𝒙 ) =𝒙 𝟒+ 𝟒

𝒇 (− 𝒙)= 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) The function is even.

Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 5: Determine whether the following are even, odd,

or neither.
𝟓 𝟑
b. 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ) =𝟗 𝒙 − 𝒙
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 5: Determine whether the following are even, odd,

or neither.
𝟓 𝟑
b. 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ) =𝟗 𝒙 − 𝒙
𝟓 𝟑
𝒈 (− 𝒙 )=𝟗 ( − 𝒙 ) − (− 𝒙 )
𝒈 (− 𝒙 )=−𝟗 𝒙 𝟓+ 𝒙𝟑
𝒈 (− 𝒙 )=−(𝟗 𝒙𝟓 − 𝒙 𝟑)

𝒈 (− 𝒙 )=− 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ) The function is odd.

Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 5: Determine whether the following are even, odd,

or neither.
𝟐
c. 𝒉 ( 𝒕 ) =𝒕 +𝒕
Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations

Sample Problem 5: Determine whether the following are even, odd,

or neither.
c.
𝟐
𝒉 ( − 𝒕 )= ( −𝒕 ) +(−𝒕 )
𝒉 ( − 𝒕 )=𝒕 𝟐 − 𝒕
𝒉 ( − 𝒕 ) ≠ 𝒉 ( 𝒕 ) 𝒉 (− 𝒕 ) ≠− 𝒉 ( 𝒕 )

The function is neither.