FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS:

Relations:
a relation is a set of ordered pairs (x, y), usually defined by a rule, and
can be shown by a graph, formula, table or list
eg: the formula y = 4x describes
the relation {(1, 4), (2, 8), (3, 12), …}
x=1  y = 4x  y = 4(1) = 4
an input the rule an output

the domain of a relation is the set of first elements (x values, inputs)

of the ordered pairs
eg: from above, domain = {1, 2, 3, …}

the range of a relation is the set of second elements (y values, outputs)

of the ordered pairs
eg: from above, range = {4, 8, 12, …}

eg: using the rule y = 3x + 1 , for x = {2, 3, 5}

find the relation, domain and range ordered pair is (x; y)

relation = {(2, 7), (3, 10), (5, 16)}

domain = {2, 3, 5}
range = {7, 10, 16}

eg: using the rule y = 2x – 4 , for 1  x  4 (x an integer, x = 1, 2, 3, 4)

find the relation, domain and range ordered pair is (x; y)

relation = {(1, -2), (2, 0), (3, 2), (4, 4)}

domain = {1, 2, 3, 4}
range = {-2, 0, 2, 4}
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Functions:
a relation is a function if each element of the domain (an input)
determines exactly one element of the range (an output)
each input (x value) has only one output (y value)

eg: the relation y = 2x is a function

because when x = 1 , y = 2(1) = 2
input output one value of x gives one value of y

eg: the relation y2 = x is not a function

because when x = 4, y2 = 4
y = 2 4 = 2
one value of x gives two values of y

we sketch graphs of functions on the Cartesian plane

ordered pairs are written as (x, y)
x is the independent variable  plotted on the horizontal axis
y is the dependent variable  plotted on the vertical axis

eg: sketch these points on the Cartesian plane

(1, 3), (-2, -4), (-5, 0), (0, 6)
y

origin (0, 0) (x, y)

x
move LEFT or RIGHT move UP or DOWN
(–) (+) (+) (–)
plot the points:
(1, 3) start at the origin, move 1 unit to the right, then move 3 units up

(-2, -4) start at the origin, move 2 units to the left, then move 4 units down

(-5, 0) start at the origin, move 5 units to the left, then move 0 units up/down

(0, 6) start at the origin, move 0 units to the left/right, then move 6 units up

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Function notation:

y = 2x + 1 if x = 3 then y = 2(3) + 1 = 7
function notation: ‘replace the y with f(x)’ y = f(x)
f(x) = 2x + 1 if x = 3 then f(3) = 2(3) + 1 = 7
function name input what to output

so y = f(x) = 2x + 1

eg: if f(x) = 3x – 2 and g(x) = 4x2 – 5 , then calculate:

a. f(2) f(x) = 3x – 2
f(2) = 3(2) – 2 = 6 – 2 = 4

b. g(-3) g(x) = 4x2 – 5

g(-3) = 4(-3)2 – 5 = 4(9) – 5 = 36 – 5 = 31

c. g(a) g(x) = 4x2 – 5

g(a) = 4(a)2 – 5 = 4a2 – 5

d. f(x + 2) f(x) = 3x – 2
f(x + 2) = 3(x + 2) – 2 = 3x + 6 – 2 = 3x + 4

e. x if f(x) = 10

f(x) = 3x – 2 3x – 2 = 10
f(x) = 10 3x = 10 + 2
3x = 12
x = 4
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Linear functions , straight lines , y = mx + c

Gradient (slope) of a straight line (m):

given two points (x1 , y1) and (x2 , y2)

m can be positive (+) , negative () , 0 or undefined (infinite)

the steeper the line is, the bigger the value of m is
interpretation of m: m=2= 2 m=− 3
1 2

eg: find the gradient going through the points (2, -4) and (5, -10)

Distance between two points:

the distance between two points (x1 , y1) and (x2 , y2)

eg: find the distance between the 2 points (2, -4) and (5, -10)

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Midpoint between two points:

the midpoint between two points (x1 , y1) and (x2 , y2)

eg: find the midpoint between the two points (2, -4) and (5, -10)

x 1 + x2 y1 + y2
2 2

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Equation of a linear function

y = mx + c ax + by + c = 0
the gradient-intercept form the standard form

y = 2x – 7  y = 2x – 7
y – 2x + 7 = 0
-2x + y + 7 = 0 multiply all terms by -1
2x – y – 7 = 0

3x – 4y – 9 = 0  3x – 4y – 9 = 0
– 4y = -3x + 9
y =
y =

y = mx + c
m is the gradient (slope) of the line
c is the y-intercept

eg: discuss 2
y = 2x – 3 gradient (m) = 2 = 1
y intercept = -3 , coordinates are (0, -3)

3
y = - x + 4 gradient (m) = - 2
y intercept = 4 , coordinates are (0, 4)

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x and y intercepts
y-intercept (x = 0)

x-intercept (y = 0)

y-intercept (x = 0)

x-intercept (y = 0)

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Sketching linear functions

2 methods:
 table method
 dual-intercept method

eg: sketch the graph of the function f(x) = 2x + 6 using the table
method

pick any 3 values for x ( – , 0 , + ), substitute into the formula and

solve for y , plot the 3 points, draw a straight line through them
y
(2, 10)

(-1, 4) (0, 6) x -1 0 2
x
y 4 6 10

eg: sketch the graph of the function f(x) = 2x + 6 using the dual-
intercept method
y
x-intercept: (y = 0) y-intercept: (x = 0)
y = 2x + 6 y = 2x + 6 6
0 = 2x + 6 y = 2(0) + 6 -3 x
-6 = 2x y = 0 +6
-3 = x y = 6

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Special graphs

y=c x=d
line is parallel to the x-axis line is parallel to the y-axis

eg: sketch the graphs of the following:

y=4 4 y=4

x = -3
-3

x = -3

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Find the equation of a function, given the gradient and a point

eg: find the equation of the linear function (straight line) given the
gradient is 3 and the line goes through the point (2, -5)

need to find values for m and c in y = mx + c

gradient (m): m=3

so y = 3x + c

y-intercept (c): substitute (2, -5) into above equation and solve for c

y = 3x + c
-5 = 3(2) + c substitute x = 2 and y = -5
-5 = 6 +c
-5 – 6 = c
-11 = c

so y = 3x + -11
y = 3x – 11

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Find the equation of a function , given two points

eg: find the equation of the linear function (straight line) given that
the line goes through the points (3, -1) and (-2, -11)

need to find values for m and c in y = mx + c

gradient (m):

so y = 2x + c

y-intercept (c): substitute (3, -1) into above equation and solve for c

y = 2x + c
-1 = 2(3) + c substitute x = 3 and y = -1
-1 = 6 +c
-1 – 6 = c
-7 = c

so y = 2x + -7
y = 2x – 7

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Simultaneous linear equations

2 methods:
 graphical method
 algebraic method (substitution, elimination method)

eg: solve the system 5x – 2y = 4 and 2x + 3y = 13 simultaneously

using the algebraic elimination method

get the equations in the same form

5x – 2y = 4 …1
2x + 3y = 13 …2
get the coefficient of y to be the same
15x – 6y = 12 …1 x3
4x + 6y = 26 …2 x2 add equations 1 and 2 to eliminate y
19x = 38
x =2

substitute x = 2 into equation 1 or 2 and solve for y

2x + 3y = 13 …2
2(2) + 3y = 13
4 + 3y = 13
3y = 9
y=3

solution: x = 2, y = 3 or (2, 3)

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Quadratic functions , y = ax2 + bx + c

Sketching quadratic functions

features of y = ax2 + bx + c basic quadratic is y = x2

shape: if a > 0 ( + ) graph has a minimum turning point

if a < 0 ( – ) graph has a maximum turning point

x-intercepts: put y = 0 and solve for x

this gives coordinates (x1 , 0) and (x2 , 0)
or
use the quadratic formula to solve for x: x = ±√

y-intercept: put x = 0 and solve for y

this gives coordinates (0 , y1)

line of symmetry:

turning point: x coordinate:

y coordinate: substitute x into equation
y = ax2 + bx + c and solve for y

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eg: sketch the graph of the function f(x) = x2 – 2x – 3

shape: a = 1, a > 0 (+) graph has a minimum turning point

x-intercepts (y = 0):
y = x2 – 2x – 3
0 = x2 – 2x – 3
0 = (x – 3)(x + 1)
x – 3 = 0 or x + 1 = 0
x =3 x = -1
or use

a=1, b = -2 , c = -3
±√ ( )± ( ) ( )( ) ±√ ±√ ±
x= = = = = = or = 3 or -1
( )

y-intercept (x = 0):
y = x2 – 2x – 3
y = (0)2 – 2(0) – 3
y = -3

line of symmetry:
( )
( )
y = x2 – 2x – 3
turning point: x=1
x=1
y = x2 – 2x – 3
= (1)2 – 2(1) – 3 -1 3
= 1 – 2 –3
= -4 -3
(1, -4) (1, -4)

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eg: sketch the graph of the function f(x) = -x2 – x + 6

shape: a = -1, a < 0 (–) graph has a maximum turning point

x-intercepts (y = 0):
y = -x2 – x + 6
0 = -x2 – x + 6 multiply equation by -1
0 = x2 + x – 6 to change -x2 to x2
0 = (x + 3)(x – 2)
x + 3 = 0 or x – 2 = 0
x = -3 x=2
or use

a = -1 , b = -1 , c=6
±√ ( )± ( ) ( )( ) ±√ ±√ ±
x= = = = = = or = -3 or 2
( )

y-intercept (x = 0):
y = -x2 – x + 6
y = -(0)2 – (0) + 6
y=6

line of symmetry:
( )
( )
y = -x2 – x + 6
turning point: (-0.5, 6.25)
x= 6
y = -x2 – x + 6 -3 2
= -( )2 – ( )+6
= -( ) + +6
= 6 = 6.25
( , 6 ) = (-0.5, 6.25) x=−

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Looking at the x-intercepts, 3 outcomes are possible:

1. there are 2 different x-intercepts

or

±√
here ax2 + bx + c = 0 factorises or solves
(b2 – 4ac > 0)

2. there are 2 (equal) x-intercepts

±√
here ax2 + bx + c = 0 factorises or solves
(b2 – 4ac = 0)

3. there are no x-intercepts

±√
ax2 + bx + c = 0 cannot factorise or does not
solve (b2 – 4ac < 0)

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Different forms of quadratic functions:

general form:
y = ax2 + bx + c: shows the shape (a)
line of symmetry x =
y-intercept (0, c)

x-intercept form:
y = a(x – d)(x – e): shows the shape (a)
x-intercepts (d, 0) and (e, 0)
note the change in sign of d and e

turning point form:

y = a(x – p)2 + q: shows the shape (a)
line of symmetry x – p = 0  x=p
turning point (p, q)
note the change in sign of p

eg: y = (x – 2)(x + 3) shape (a) a = 1 , so

x-intercepts (2, 0) and (-3, 0)
note the change in sign of -2 and +3

eg: y = -2x2 + 3x – 4 shape (a) a = -2 , so

( )
line of symmetry x = = ( )
= =
y-intercept (0, -4)

eg: y = 3(x + 5)2 – 7 shape (a) a = 3 , so

line of symmetry x + 5 = 0  x = -5
turning point (-5, -7)
note the change in sign of +5

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Find the equation of a function, given the x-intercepts

eg: find the equation of the quadratic function given that the line goes
through the x-intercepts (3, 0) and (-2, 0) and the point (1, -4)

need to find values for a, d and e in y = a(x – d)(x – e)

y = a(x – d)(x – e) use the x-intercept form of the quadratic

y = a(x – 3)(x – -2) substitute d = +3 and e = -2
y = a(x – 3)(x + 2) note the change in sign of +3 and -2

substitute (1, -4) into the above equation and solve for a

y = a(x – 3)(x + 2)
-4 = a(1 – 3)(1 + 2) substitute x = 1 and y = -4
-4 = a(-2)(3)
-4 = -6a

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Find the equation of a function, given the turning point

eg: find the equation of the quadratic function given that the line has
a turning point of (-3, -2) and goes through the point (1, -4)

need to find values for a, p and q in y = a(x – p)2 + q

y = a(x – p)2 + q use the turning point form of the quadratic

y = a(x – -3)2 + -2 substitute p = -3 and q = -2
y = a(x + 3)2 – 2 note the change in sign of -3

substitute (1, -4) into the above equation and solve for a

y = a(x + 3)2 – 2
-4 = a(1 + 3)2 – 2 substitute x = 1 and y = -4
-4 = a(4)2 – 2
-4 = 16a – 2
-4 + 2 = 16a
-2 = 16a

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Quadratic application

eg: a boy throws a ball up into the air at an angle defined by the
function y = -x2 + 8x, where y is defined as height (metres) and x is
defined as the horizontal distance covered. The ball eventually hits the
ground a certain distance away. Calculate:
a) the total horizontal distance travelled by the ball from when it
was thrown to when it hits the ground
b) the maximum height reached by the ball

a) find the x-intercepts of the function y = -x2 + 8x

x-intercepts: put y = 0 and solve for x
y = -x2 + 8x
-x2 + 8x = 0 multiply both sides by -1
x2 – 8x = 0
x(x – 8) = 0
x = 0 or x – 8 = 0
x = 0 or x=8

total distance travelled is 8m

b) find the maximum y value

y = -x2 + 8x
a = -1 , b=8, c=0
( )
( )
y = -x2 + 8x = -(4)2 + 8(4) = -16 + 32 = 16
maximum height reached by the ball is 16m

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Exponential functions

features of y = abx a, b > 0

shape: if b > 1 then growth (appreciation) graph

if 0 < b < 1 then decay (depreciation) graph

x intercept: none (x axis is an asymptote)

y intercept: (0, a)

slope: b affects the shape of the graph

if b > 1 then b = (1 + ) x = growth rate

if 0 < b < 1 then b = (1 – ) x = decay rate

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eg: sketch the graph of the following function: y = 23x
use the table method: select some values for x ( – , 0 , + ), then
calculate the values of y using the formula, then plot the points on
the graph

x -2 -1 0 1 2
2 2
y 9 3
2 6 18

eg: sketch the graphs of the following functions, clearly identifying

the shape and any x- and y-intercepts:

a) y = 42x

b) y = 15x

c) y = 30.8x

d) y = 2.51.03x

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eg: study the graph of the function y = 25x

a) what are the coordinates of point A ?

put x = 0, y = 2•5x = 2•5(0) = 2•1 = 2
(0, 2)
b) calculate the value of y when x = 2

put x = 2, y = 2•5(2) = 2•25 = 50

y = 50
c) calculate the value of x when y = 10

•
put y = 10, 10 = 2•5x , = , 5 = 5x , 51 = 5x , 1 = x

d) what is the growth rate ?

growth graph  use b = (1 + ) x = growth rate

5 =1+ multiply by 100

500 = 100 + x
500 – 100 = x
400 = x 400% growth/appreciation

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eg: study the graph of the function y = 10.8x

a) what are the coordinates of point B ?

put x = 0, y = 1•0.8x = 1•0.8(0) = 1•1 = 1
(0, 1)
b) calculate the value of y when x = 2
put x = 2, y = 1•0.8(2) = 1•0.64 = 0.64
y = 0.64
c) calculate the value of x when y = 3

• .
put y = 3, 3 = 1•0.8x , = , 3 = 0.8x , log 3 = log 0.8x
• .
log 3 = x•log 0.8 , = , -4.923343… = x
. .

d) what is the growth rate ?

decay graph  use b = (1 – ) x = decay rate

0.8 =1– multiply by 100

80 = 100 – x
80 – 100 = –x
– 20 = -x multiply both sides by -1
20 = x 20% decay/depreciation

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eg: study the graph of the function y = 31.05x

C
x

a) what are the coordinates of point C ?

(0, 3)

b) calculate the value of y when x = 1

y = 3.15

c) calculate the value of x when y = 6

x = 14.20669908…

d) what is the growth rate ?

5% growth/appreciation

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