FUNCTIONS

AND
GRAPHS
 FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS
1. RELATION: A set of ordered pairs.
Can be written in several ways: as ordered pairs, table, graph or mapping

2. FUNCTION: A relation in which the members of the domain (x -values) do not

repeat i.e. for every x-value there is only one y-value that
corresponds with it. y-values can be repeated. When the relation is a
function, the “y” in the equation can be replaced with f ( x ) .
f ( x ) is pronounced as f of x and is a notation to designate a function.
The f names the function, the x tells the variable that is being used.

Function notation

y = f (x)

output name of input

function

f ( x )=x +3 - The left hand side does NOT mean f multiply by x

3. VERTICAL LINE TEST : If a vertical line is passed over the graph and it
interacts the graph in exactly one point, the graph
represents a function
4. GRAPH : An accurate drawing of a function which is much easier to read than a
list of numbers.
5. DOMAIN - The set of x – coordinates
- Look for any fractions or square roots that could cause one of the two
“illegals” to happen. If there aren’t any, then the domain is ALL real
numbers x.
- If there are fractions, figure out what values would make the bottom
equal zero and those are the values you can’t use. The answer would be:
All real numbers x such that x ≠ those values.
- If there is a square root, the “stuff” under the square root cannot be
negative so set the stuff ≥ 0 and solve. Then answer would be: All real
numbers x such that x ≠ whatever you got when you solved.

NOTE: Of course your variable doesn’t have to be x, can be whatever is in the problem.
6. RANGE - The set of y – coordinates

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 N.B. When writing the domain and range, do not repeat values

TYPES OF FUNCTIONS
FUNCTION FORMAT ILLUSTRATION
A. LINEAR FUNCTION y=mx+c
Ax+ By=C
x y
+ =1
a b
B. PARABOLA/QUADRATIC y
FUNCTION
f ( x)=ax 2 +bx+c(a >
0)
Vertex(minimum
a and q are constant y=ax 2 Table method point)
1. Complete a table 2 x
2. Plot the points y=ax +q
2
3. Join points y=a( x−b )
2 y
y=ax +bx +c Vertex (maximum
2 point)
y=a( x− p ) +q
y=a( x−x 1 )( x−x 2 ) 2
x
f ( x)=ax +bx+c(a <

Axis of symmetry

C. HYPERBOLA a
y= + q
x
a
y= +q
x+ p
D. EXPONENTIAL y=nb x +t=ab x + q

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 E. LOGARITHMIC y= log
bx

QUADRATIC FUNCTION

Standard form

y=ax 2 +c or y=ax 2 +bx +c

Sketching a Parabola

1. Check the sign of a, if a is negative the graph will face downwards and if a is positive
will face upwards

2. Find the y – intercepts

N. B. It is always the constant i.e. the value of c

3. Replace y with 0 from the equation and solve for x. These values are the
x – intercepts

4. Plot the points

5. Connect the points using free hand and draw a cup shape graph
NOTE: In Grade 10 the table method is recommended (prescribed)

PROPERTIES OF A PARABOLA
1. Turning point (Vertex)

TYPES ILLUSTRATION

Coefficient of x2 is
MAXIMUM
negative

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 Coefficient of x2
MINIMUM is positive

2. Zeros

For y - intercept x = 0
For x - intercept y = 0

3. Axis of symmetry

 It is given by the value of x at the

turning point.
 Divides the graph into two equal
parts

4. Domain
The domain is always real numbers

5. Range
Use the value of y at the turning point. If the graph opens upwards, then the range
will be y ≥ y- coordinate (i.e. y - coordinate to positive infinity) If the graph opens
downwards, the range will be y ≤ y – coordinate
(i.e. y - coordinate up to negative infinity)

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 y=x 2 −2 x−3
a>0

EXAMPLE 1

Y – Intercepts (let x = 0)
y=02 −2(0)−3=−3
X – Intercepts (let y = 0)
x 2 −2 x−3=0 then solve for x
(x - 3)(x + 1) = 0
∴ x=3 or x=−1
Turning Point
b
x=−
For x value use 2a
−(−2)
x= =1
2(1)
Substitute for x in the given (original) functions
y=1 2−2(1 )−3=−4
T.P. (1; - 4)
Plot the points and connect them

- 3
- 2

- 1
x
I I I I I I I I
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
- -1

- -2

- -3 y=x 2 −2 x−3

- -4
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EXAMPLE 2

y=−2( x+2 )2 +8
a<0

y - Intercepts (let x = 0)
y=−2(0+2)2 +8=0

x - intercepts (let y = 0)
−2( x +2)2 + 8=0
( x+ 2)2 =4
x +2=2 or x +2=−8
∴ x=0 or x=−4

Turning Point
NOTE: They are given
T.P. (- 2; 8)
Sketching
y
- 8

- 4
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x
I I I I
PRACTICE EXERCISE 1

Sketch the following graphs, showing ALL intercepts with the axes as well as the
coordinates of the turning point.

2
a) y=− x +3 x+4
2
b) y=x +2 x−8
2
c) y=2 x +4 x−6
2
d) y=−2( x+1 ) +8

e) y=2(x +3 )−8
2
f) y=−( x−2 )
2
g) y=3 x −6 x+5
2
h) y=− x +8 x
2
i) y=x + 4 x + 4
2
j) y=− x +10 x −1
2
k) y=2 x −12 x +3

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 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION

An exponential function is a function of the form: y = bx , where b>0 and b ≠ 1

It is different from any other function because the independent variable, x, is in the
exponents. The independent variable (x) is any real number.
The general shape of the graph is determined by the independent (exponential) variable.
Characteristics of exponential function

 Domain is all real numbers. i.e. x ∈(−∞ , ∞)

 Range is all positive number i.e. (0 ;∞)
 The y-intercept is always a point (0; 1) since b0 = 1
 There are no x – intercept
NOTE: There is no x value that can be put in the function to make it equal to zero.
 The x-axis (where y – 0) is the horizontal asymptotes. i.e. it approaches the x-intercepts
but does not cross it.
 The graph of y = bx is a one - to - one function and has an inverse that is a function
 This function is neither even nor odd. There is no symmetry.
 It is a continuous function

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THE IMPACT OF b

If b > 1 the graph would look like this:

(0; 1)

The graph goes up to the right

If 0 < b < 1 the graph would look like this:

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x
It goes down to the right.

1
Please note that 2 = 2 i.e 2
−1 ()
1 x −x
=2

TRANSFORMATIONS INVOLVING EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Transformation Equation Description

Horizontal translation g (x) = bx+c  Shifts the graph of f(x) = bx to the left c
units if c >0.
 Shifts the graph of f(x) = bx to the right c
units if c > 0.
Vertical stretching or g (x)=c bx Multiplying y-coordinates of f(x) = bx by c,
shrinking  Stretches the graph of f(x) = bx if c > 1.
 Shrinks the graph of f(x) = bx if 0<c<1
Reflecting g (x) = -bx  Reflects the graph of f(x) = bx about the x-
g (x) = b-x axis.
 Reflects the graph of f(x) = bx about the y-
axis.
Vertical translation g (x) = -bx + c  Shifts the graph of f(x) = bx upward c
units if c units if c > 0.
 Shifts the graph of f(x) = bx downward c
units if c < 0.

EXAMPLE
Use the graph of f(x) = 3x to obtain the graph of g(x) = 3 x+1.
SOLUTION
Examine the table below. Note that the function g(x) = 3x+1 has the general form

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g(x) = bx+c, where c = 1. Because c > 0, we graph g(x) = 3x+1 by shifting the graph of f(x) = 3x
one unit to the left. We construct a table showing some of the coordinates for f and g to
build their graphs.

LOGARITHMIC FUNCTION
Properties of logarithms
 logb1 = 0 (since b0 = 1)
 logb = 1 (since b1 = b)
 logbbn = n (since bn = bn)
1
 log b = log b-1 = -1 logb = -log b

N.B. In the expression logbx the value of x will always be positive.

 CONVERTING BETWEEN EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

BASE exponent = POWER
42 = 16
4 → the base
2 → the exponent
16 → the power

 AS LOGARITHS

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log base POWER = EXPONENT
log4 16= 2

For all positive values of b, where b ≠ 1

by = x is equivalent to y = logbx

The logarithm of a number is the exponent to which another fixed value, the base, must be
raised to produce that number.

Examples of Logarithms

Exponential form Logarithmic form

23 = 8 log28 = 3

()
1 −4 log 1 16
2 2 = -2
= 16
51 = 5 Log55 = 1

The logarithmic function to the base b, where b>0 and b ≠ 1is given by:
 y = logbx if and only if x =ay
 When you convert an exponential to log form, notice that the exponent in the
exponential form becomes what the log is equal to.

 Logs and exponentials are inverse functions of each other. For functions and their
inverses, x’s and y’s trade places. Anything that was, true for x’s or domain will be
true for y’s or the range of the functions and vice versa.

CHARACTERISTICS OF
y=log a x ;a >0 , a≠1 :

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 1. Domain = (0 ;∞ ) and range = ℜ .
2. There is no y-intercept and the x-intercept is the point (1; 0).
3. The y-axis (x=0) is a vertical asymptote.
4. The functions are one-to-one.

5. The graph
y=log a x is the reflection of the graph y=a x in the line y=x .

y y

y  log a x
x x
0 1 0 1

y  log a x
6. As x increases, y decreases. 6. As x increases, y increases.

7. As a decreases, the graph becomes 7. As a increases, the graph becomes

‘flatter’ ‘flatter’

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PRACTICE EXERCISE 2

Question 1

1.1 Sketch the graph of f : x →log 2 x .

1.2 Is f a function? Explain.
1.3 Give the domain and range of f.

1.4 Determine all intercepts of y=f ( x ) on the axes.

1.5 On the same set of axes, sketch the graphs

y=log 3 x and y=log 4 x .

1.6 Are the functions one-to-one or many-to-one?

1.7 Are the functions increasing or decreasing (i.e. what does y do as x increases)?

Question 2

g : x → log 1 x
2.1 Sketch the graph of 2

2.2 Is g a function? Explain.

2.3 Give the domain and range of g.

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2.4 Determine all intercepts of y=g (x ) on the axes.
y=g log 1 x y=log 1 x
2.5 On the same set of axes, sketch the graphs 3 and 4 .
2.6 Are the functions one-to-one or many-to-one?
2.7 Are the functions increasing or decreasing?

RELATIONSHIPS OF EXPONENTIAL (y = bx) & LOGARITHMIC (y = logbx) FUNCTIONS

Exponential Logarithmic
y = bx y = logbx is the inverse of y =bx
Domain: all reals Domain: x> 0
x-intercept: None x-intercept: (1,0)
y-intercept: (0,1) y-intercept: None

RELATIONSHIPS OF EXPONENTIAL (y = bx) & LOGARITHMIC (y = logbx) FUNCTIONS

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RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
polynomial
f ( x )=
A rational function is a function of the form polynomial

We will confine our study to rational functions whose denominators and numerators are
first - degree polynomials. Using long divisions, such functions cans be written in the form:

a
f ( x )= +q
x+ p .

a
f ( x )= +q
The graph of the rational function x+ p is a hyperbola with centre (p;q). The
vertical and the horizontal lines passing through the centre are called the asymptotes of the
hyperbola.

The centre and asymptotes are used as sketching aids but are not necessarily part of the
graph.

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 Hyperbola with asymptotes

 CHARACTERISTICS OF A HYPERBOLA

a
f ( x )= +q
x+ p
Domain: x is an element of Real numbers but x ≠ -p.

Range: y is an element of Real numbers but y ≠ q

 HYPERBOLA SHAPES

a>0 a<0
y y

x x

The dotted lines are the asymptotes

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 DETERMINING THE EQUALITIES OF A HYPERBOLA

a
f ( x )= +q
Step 1: The position of the asymptotes give as the value(s) of p and q in x+ p .

Step 2: To find the value of a, substitute any point on the graph into the equation.

 SKETCHING A HYPERBOLA
 Identify the vertical and horizontal asymptotes i.e. x=− p and y= q .

 Find x-intercepts ( y=0 )

 Find y-intercepts ( x=0 )

 Draw the arms of the hyperbola.

FUNCTIONS ARE FUNCTIONS 1

QUESTION 1

The graph of f (x) = logax where P(3; -1) is a point on f, represented in the sketch below:

y f

P(3;-1)

1.1 Determine the value of a (2)

1.2 Determine the equation of f-1 , the inverse of f. (2)

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1.3 Determine the equation of g if it is the reflection of f about the x-axis. (2)
1.4 For which values of x is f(x) > -2? (3)
[9]

QUESTION 2

x−3 5
f ( x )= =− +q
Given: x +2 x+ 2
2.1 Determine the co-ordinates of the x-intercept and y-intercept of f. (4)
2.2 Give the equations of the asymptotes of f. (4)
2.3 Sketch f showing clearly the asymptotes and the intercepts with the axes. (3)
2.4 Give the domain of f. (2)

[13]

QUESTION 3

Given: f(x) = ax2 + bx + c and g(x) = x – 2 with B (2;0), C(0;-6) and x = -2 the symmetrical
axis of f. KML is parallel to the y-axis.

y
f

B(2;0) x

C(0; -6)
L

g
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3.1 Determine the equation of f in the form y = ax2 + bx = c. (5)
1
2
3.2 If ML = 4 units, determine the co-ordinates of K. (5)
[10]

TOTAL {32}

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 FUNCTIONS ARE FUNCTIONS 2

QUESTION 1
3
f ( x )= +3
Consider the equations: x−2

1.1 Give the values of x for which f ( x ) will be real.

(2)

1.2 Explain why the value of f ( x ) cannot be ZERO.

(2)

1.3 Draw the graph of f . Clearly show the intercepts with the axes and the asymptotes. (4)

1.4 Give the equation of the asymptotes of f ( x +3 ) −4 . (2)

[10]

QUESTION 2
x 2
The sketch represents the graphs f ( x )= p and g ( x )=ax +bx + c . The graphs intersect at points A
1
on the y-axis and B 2
[ ]
;2
, the turning point of the curve of g . The curve of g has x-intercepts at
points D and E.
y

1 
 2 ;2 
 

A
f

D 0 E x

Determine the following:

2.1 The co-ordinates of A. (1)

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2.2 The value of p. (3)
2
2.3 Show that a=−4 and b=4 in g ( x )=ax +bx + c . (6)

2.4 Determine the length of DE in surd form. (5)

−1
2.5 Determine f , the inverse of f , in the form y = ……. (2)

2.6 Give the equation of the image of f reflected about the x-axis. (2)

−1
2.7 How must the domain of g be restricted so that g is a function? (2)

[21]

TOTAL {31}

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