INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATIONS OF GRAPHS

1. Domain and Range

If an 𝑥 value is substituted into an equation, a 𝑦 value is generated.
We call the 𝑥 values independent variables and the 𝑦 values that are generated, the
dependent variables.
The set of independent variables (or inputs) is called the domain.
The set of dependent variables (or outputs) is called the range.

e.g.1 The diagram shows the graph of 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 4

𝑦
The arrows at the ends of the parabola tell
us that the graph continues left towards
−∞ and right towards +∞
𝑥
∴ the domain is 𝒙 ∈ ℝ
this means that the input values can be
any real number from negative infinity to positive
-4
infinity.
The domain can also be described in interval
notation:

𝒙 ∈ (−∞; ∞)

The arrows at the end of the parabola also tell us that the graph continues up to
positive infinity.
However, the graph has a clear minimum 𝑦-value at 𝑦 = −4.
∴ the range is 𝒚 ≥ −𝟒; 𝒚 ∈ ℝ
Or in interval notation 𝐲 ∈ [−𝟒; ∞)

4
e.g.2 The diagram shows the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1

The arrows at the ends of the hyperbola tell 𝑦

us that the graph continues left towards
−∞ and right towards +∞ but there is a break
at 𝑥 = 0 (the vertical asymptote)
∴ the domain is 𝒙 ∈ ℝ, 𝒙 ≠ 𝟎 𝑦=1

this means that the 𝑥 values can be 𝑥

any real number from negative infinity to positive
infinity except 𝑥 = 0.
 Or in interval notation: 𝑥 ∈ (−∞; 𝟎) 𝒐𝒓 (𝟎; ∞)
The arrows at the ends of the hyperbola also tell us that the graph continues up to
positive infinity and down to negative infinity, but there is a break at 𝑦 = 1 (the
horizontal asymptote)
∴ the range is 𝒚 ∈ ℝ, 𝒚 ≠ 𝟏
Or in interval notation: 𝐲 ∈ (−∞; 𝟏)𝒐𝒓 (𝟏; ∞)

e.g.3 The diagram shows the graph of 𝑦 = −2(2)𝑥 + 2 𝑦

the domain is 𝒙 ∈ ℝ
The graph is defined only for values below the
𝑦=2
asymptote 𝑦 = 2 𝑥

∴ the range is 𝒚 < 𝟐; 𝒚 ∈ ℝ

Or in interval notation: 𝐲 ∈ (−∞; 𝟐)

2. Positive and Negative Function Values

e.g.1 The diagram alongside shows the graph of 𝑦

𝑦 = −3𝑥 2 + 3
3
Use the graph to determine for which values
of 𝑥 −3𝑥 2 + 3 > 0? 𝑥
-1 1
What this question is asking for is the
𝑥 values that result in positive 𝒚 results for
this function (or in visual terms looking at
the graph, “which 𝑥-values result in the
graph being above the 𝑥-axis?” ). 𝑦

The answer is that all the 𝑥 values from 3

𝑥 = −1 up to 𝑥 = 1 (shown in blue) if
substituted into the equation will give 𝑥
-1 1
positive 𝑦-values (as shown in red).

∴ −𝟏 < 𝒙 < 𝟏; 𝒙 ∈ ℝ
e.g.2 The diagram alongside shows the graph of 𝑦
1
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (2)𝑥 − 4

For which values of 𝑥 is 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 0

𝑥
(Note: 𝑓(𝑥) is the same as 𝑦 3
1
and 𝑦 is the same as 2 (3)𝑥 − 6)
𝑦 = −4

The answer is that all the 𝑥 values less

𝑦
than or equal to 𝑥 = 3 (shown in blue),
if substituted into the equation, will give
𝑦-values than are zero or less (as shown
in red).
3 𝑥
∴ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟑; 𝒙 ∈ ℝ

𝑦 = −4

5. Increasing and decreasing

A graph is increasing if the 𝑦-values increase as the 𝑥-values increase
and decreasing if the 𝑦-values decrease as the 𝑥-values increase.
Consider the function 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 1
𝑦
We always work from left to right so that
𝑥 is increasing. The 𝑦-values get smaller
as the 𝑥-values increase until we reach the
𝑥
turning point, then the graph changes and
the 𝑦-values begin to get bigger as we move
to the right. The graph turns when 𝑥 = 0
∴ we write: -4

𝒈(𝒙) decreases for 𝒙 ≤ 𝟎

and
𝒈(𝒙) increases for 𝒙 ≥ 𝟎
 3
Consider the function ℎ(𝑥) = − + 1 𝑦
𝑥
Remember we always work from left to right
so that 𝑥 is increasing. The 𝑦-values increase
as the 𝑥-values increase until we reach the
asymptote at 𝑥 = 0 at which point ℎ(𝑥) is
𝑦=1
undefined. After the asymptote the 𝑦-values
𝑥
once again increase as we move to the right.
∴ we write:

𝒉(𝒙) increases for 𝒙 ∈ ℝ; 𝒙 ≠ 𝟎

6. Reflections
Function can be reflected about

• The 𝑥-axis
• The 𝑦-axis
• An asymptote
• An axis of symmetry
When a graph is reflected in the 𝑥-axis then all the 𝑦 values change sign but the
𝑥 values remain the same (in the same way reflecting shapes about the 𝑥-axis
worked in the transformations section last year) .
𝑦
𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4
So the reflection of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4 Note how the
𝑦-intercepts 4
is – 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4 change sign

which becomes 𝑥
Note how the
𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 4 graphs intersect
-4 on the
reflection line

𝑦 = −2𝑥 + 4

Similarly when a graph is reflected in the 𝑦-axis then all the 𝑥 values change sign but
𝑦
the 𝑦 values remain the same. 1 𝑥
𝑦 =( ) +3 Note how the
𝑥 5
So 𝑦 = 5 + 3 graphs intersect
4 on the
Becomes 𝑦 = 5−𝑥 + 3 reflection line
𝑦 = (5) 𝑥 + 3
Which is written with a positive
𝑦=3
1 𝑥 𝑥
exponent as 𝑦 = (5) + 3
The asymptote
remains unchanged
7. Distances and Points of Intersection
When two or more graphs are given then the relationships between them can be
explored.
Example 1:
The figures shows the graphs of the
functions: 𝑓(𝑥) = − ¼ 𝑥 2 + 4
and 𝑔(𝑥) = ½ 𝑥 + 2
(a) Determine the following lengths:
(1) CD
(2) AB
(3) GF if OE = 2
(b) Find the co-ordinates of H.

(a) (1) This is the difference between the 𝑦-intercepts.

By inspection: 𝑂𝐷 = 𝑦𝐷 = 2 and 𝑂𝐶 = 𝑦𝐶 = 4
∴ 𝐶𝐷 = 4 – 2 = 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

(2) This is the length between the 𝑥-intercepts of 𝑓.

To find the 𝑥-intercepts: − ¼ 𝑥2 + 4 = 0
∴ 𝑥 2 – 16 = 0 (× through by -4)
∴ (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 – 4) = 0
∴ 𝑥𝐴 = −4 and 𝑥𝐵 = 4
∴ 𝐴𝐵 = 4 – (−4) = 8 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
(3) 𝐺𝐹 = 𝐺𝐸– 𝐹𝐸 = 𝑦𝐺 − 𝑦𝐹
If 𝑂𝐸 = 2, then 𝑥𝐸 = −2
𝑦𝐺 = − ¼ (−2)2 + 4 = 3
𝑦𝐹 = ½ (−2) + 2 = 1
∴ 𝐺𝐹 = 3 – 1 = 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
 (b) 𝐻 is the intersection point of the graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔.
∴− ¼ 𝑥 2 + 4 = ½ 𝑥 + 2
∴ 𝑥 2 – 16 = −2𝑥 − 8 (× through by -4)
∴ 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 – 8 = 0
∴ (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 – 2) = 0
∴𝑥𝐴 = −4 and 𝑥𝐻 = 2 (We need 𝑥𝐻 )
∴ 𝑦𝐻 = ½ (2) + 2 = 3 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
∴ 𝐻 has co-ordintates (2; 3)

To do:

1) 10 Graphs Applications Worksheet

2) 12 Functions Mixed Exercise