Step 3: State the signicant characteristics

Shape: a > 0, therefore the graph is a smile.

Intercepts: (2; 0), (2; 0) and (0; 2)
Turning point: (0; 2)
Axes of symmetry: x =
b
2a
=
0
2(
1
2
)
= 0
Domain: {x : x R}
Range: {y : y 2, y R}
The function is decreasing for x < 0 and increasing for x > 0.
Worked example 3: Exponential function
QUESTION
Draw the graphs of f(x) = 2
x
and g(x) =

1
2

x
on the same set of axes and compare
the two functions.
SOLUTION
Step 1: Examine the functions and determine the information needed to draw the
graphs
Consider the function: f(x) = 2
x
If y = 0 : 2
x
= 0
But 2
x
= 0
no solution
If x = 0 : 2
0
= 1
This gives the point (0; 1).
Asymptotes: f(x) = 2
x
has a horizontal asymptote, the line y = 0, which is the x-axis.
x 2 1 0 1 2
f(x)
1
4
1
2
1 2 4
Consider the function: g(x) =

1
2

x
If y = 0 :

1
2

x
= 0
But

1
2

x
= 0
no solution
If x = 0 :

1
2

0
= 1
This gives the point (0; 1).
51 Chapter 2. Functions