NAME _____________________________________________ DATE ____________________________ PERIOD _____________

1-2 Study Guide and Intervention

Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Analyzing Function Graphs By looking at the graph of a function, you can determine the function’s domain and
range and estimate the x- and y-intercepts. The x-intercepts of the graph of a function are also called the zeros of the
function because these input values give an output of 0.
Example: Use the graph of f to find the domain and range of the
function and to approximate the y-intercept and zero(s). Then
confirm the estimate algebraically.
The graph is not bounded on the left or right, so the domain is the set of
all real numbers.
{x | x ∈ ℝ}
The graph does not extend above 5.0625 or f(–0.75), so the range is all
real numbers less than or equal to 5.0625.
{y | y ≤ 5.0625, y ∈ ℝ}
The y-intercept is the point where the graph intersects the y-axis. It appears to be 4.5. Likewise, the zeros are the x-
coordinates of the points where the graph crosses the x-axis. They seem to occur at –3 and 1.5.
To find the y-intercept algebraically, find f(0).
f(0) = – (0)2 – 1.5(0) + 4.5 = 4.5
To find the zeros algebraically, let f(x) = 0 and solve for x.
–𝑥 2 – 1.5x + 4.5 = 0
–1(x + 3)(x – 1.5) = 0
x = –3 or x = 1.5
Exercises
Use the graph of g to find the domain and range of the function and to approximate its y-intercept and zero(s).
Then find its y-intercept and zeros algebraically.
1. 2.

D = {x | x ∈ ℝ }, R = {y | y ≥ –16, D = {x | x ∈ ℝ }, R = {y | y ≤ 9,
y∈ℝ} y∈ℝ}
y-intercept: –12 y-intercept: 8
zeros: –2 and 6 zeros: –2 and 4
x2 – 4x – 12 = (x + 2)(x – 6); 8 + 2x – x2 = –(x + 2)(x – 4);
x = –2 or x = 6 x = –2 or x = 4
g(0) = 02 – 4(0) – 12 = –12 g(0) = 8 + 2(0) – 02 = 8

Chapter 1 10 Glencoe Precalculus

NAME _____________________________________________ DATE ____________________________ PERIOD _____________

1-2 Study Guide and Intervention (continued)

Analyzing Graphs of Functions and Relations
Symmetry of Graphs A graph of a relation that is symmetric to the x–axis and/or the y-axis has line symmetry. A
graph of a relation that is symmetric to the origin has point symmetry.

Symmetric with
Description Algebraic Test
respect to…
For every (x, y) on the graph, Replacing y with –y produces an
x-axis
(x, –y) is also on the graph. equivalent equation.
For every (x, y) on the graph, Replacing x with –x produces an
y-axis
(–x, y) is also on the graph. equivalent equation.
For every (x, y) on the graph, Replacing x with –x and y with –y
origin
(–x, –y) is also on the graph. produces an equivalent equation.

Functions that are symmetric with respect to the y-axis are even functions, and for every x in the domain, f(–x) = f(x).
Functions that are symmetric with respect to the origin are odd functions and for every x in the domain, f(–x) = –f(x).

Example: GRAPHING CALCULATOR Graph f(x) = –𝒙𝟑 + 2x.

Analyze the graph to determine whether the function is even, odd, or
neither. Confirm algebraically. If odd or even, describe the
symmetry of the graph of the function.
From the graph, it appears that the function is symmetric to the origin.
Confirm: f(–x) = –(−𝑥)3 + 2(–x) = 𝑥 3 – 2x = –f(x)
The function is odd because f(–x) = –f(x).

Exercises
GRAPHING CALCULATOR Graph each function. Analyze the graph to determine whether each function is
even, odd, or neither. Confirm algebraically. If odd or even, describe the symmetry of the graph of the function.

1. f(x) = 4𝑥 3 + 1 2. g(x) = 𝑥 4 – 10𝑥 2 + 9

neither; 4(–x)3 + 1 = –4x3 + 1 even;
(–x)4 – 10(–x)2 + 9 = x4 – 10x2 + 9
symmetric with respect to y-axis
5
3. g(x) = 𝑥 4 4. g(x) = 𝑥 3 – 6x
𝟓 𝟓
even; (−𝒙)𝟒 = 𝒙𝟒 odd; (–x)3 – 6(–x) = –x3 + 6x
symmetric with respect to y-axis symmetric with respect to origin

Chapter 1 11 Glencoe Precalculus