Mr ANG W.C angwc@hci.edu.

sg
H2 Mathematics Graphing Techniques Summary
A) Basic Features C) Rational Function Graphs 3. Ellipse E) Parametric Graphs
( x − h) 2 ( y − k ) 2
1. Axial intercepts 1. Check proper or improper fraction. + =1 1. Parameter t is the 3rd hidden
a2 b2
(i) x intercept: when y = 0 If improper, perform long division to variable that controls the
(G.C: “zero”) proper form: values of x and y.
R( x)
(ii) y intercept: when x = 0 y = Q( x) + 2. Most features such as axial
D( x)
(G.C: “value”) intercepts, etc. are found
x2 + 4x + 7 3 through the value of t first.
E.g. y = → y = x+2+
2. Stationary points x+2 x+2
(i) Solve for x when dy = 0 . E.g. x = t − 2, y = t 2 , t 
dx 2. Asymptotes To find y intercept:
(G.C: Min or Max) (i) Vertical: When D( x) = 0 , find x. when x = 0, t = 2 hence y = 4.
(ii) Horizontal / Oblique: y = Q( x) .
(ii) Test for nature: 3. Conversion to Cartesian
(a) First derivative test 4. Hyperbola (a) Substitution
3. Axial intercepts / Stationary points
(all types) (i) Horizontal: E.g.
Refer to Section A.
(b) Second derivative test x = t − 2, y = t 2
( x − h) 2 ( y − k ) 2
d2 y − =1
(max, min if 0) a2 b2 t = x + 2  y = ( x + 2) 2
dx 2 D) Conics
(b) Trigonometric identities
3. Asymptotes 1. Parabola
x = 2sin t , y = cos t + 3
(i) Vertical: Values of x that makes the (i) Vertical: ( y − k ) = a( x − h) 2
equation undefined. x
sin t = , cos t = y − 3
2
(ii) Horizontal / Oblique: Using sin 2 t + cos 2 t = 1
As x →  or − , 2
 x
  + ( y − 3) = 1
2
y → k (H.A) or y → mx + c (O.A) (ii) Vertical
2
(ii) Horizontal: ( x − h) = a( y − k ) 2 ( y − k ) 2 ( x − h) 2
− =1
B) Symmetry b2 a2 (c) Other “tricks”
1. About x axis 4. Intersection points between
Upper half = mirror image of lower half Cartesian and parametric
Replace y with − y → get the same x form.
x = t − 2, y = t 2 (1)
2. About y axis 2. Circle E.g.
Left half = mirror image of right half ( x − h) 2 ( y − k ) 2 y = 2 x + 12 (2)
Replace x with − x → get the same y. + =1 (iii) To find oblique asymptotes:
r2 r2 Substitute (1) into (2) and
( y − k ) 2 ( x − h) 2
3. About origin Let = and make y the solve for t first.
b2 a2 t 2 = 2(t − 2) + 12
Same graph when rotate 180o about origin. subject.
Replace x with − x , y → − y .