CURVE SKETCHING

When the equation of the curve is unfamiliar, the

shape of the curve requires valid and extensive Horizontal asymptote
considerations. It’s impossible to study every shape The degree of the numerator and denominators are
of the curve but we can discuss those which occur the same
most frequently. For the horizontal asymptote
(1) Intercepts: These are points where the curve leading co - efficient of the numerator
crosses the coordinate axes y=
leading co - efficient of the denominator
(2) Stationary points: These are points on the
curve at which the gradient of the curve is zero For the curve =1
( ). In curve sketching the absence of The horizontal asymptote of the curve is
stationary points is as important as their =1
presence. Alternatively: To obtain the horizontal asymptote
of , we divide the numerator and
(3) Linear asymptotes of rational functions:
denominator by the highest power of x that appears
a x n  a x n  1   a1 x  a0
Given the curve y  n m n  1 m 1 in the denominator and then letting x   

bm x  bm 1 x   b1 x  b0
The vertical asymptotes of y are the line
where c is the set of roots of the equations
bm xm  bm 1 xm 1  ...b1 x  b0  0

Note: For the vertical asymptotes, y    

(denominator = 0)
(i) If n < m then y has a horizontal asymptote
an As x   

(ii) if m = n then y has a horizontal asymptote y  ,y=1
bn

y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
(iii) if n > m, then y has no horizontal asymptote
Example II
Given the curve to find the horizontal Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the
asymptote (if any), we divide the numerator and the
3x 2  2 x  1
denominator by the highest power of that appears curve y 
2 x 2  3x  2
in the denominator and then letting x   

Solution
Example 3x 2  2 x  1
y
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptote of the 2 x 2  3x  2
curve y 
x For the vertical asymptote y    

x 2
Solution
x
y
x 2
Horizontal asymptote
For the vertical asymptote, the denominator is zero leading co-efficient of the numerator
( y    ) y ) co-efficient of the denominator
leading

x = 2 is a vertical asymptote

295
 3x 2  2 x  1 4 x2
Which can also be obtained from y  Find the vertical asymptotes of the curve y 
2 x 2  3x  2 x2  8
Solution

For the vertical asymptotes y   



The curve has no vertical asymptotes (since

there are no real values of x for which x2 + 8 = 0.
3 For the horizontal asymptote, x     
As x   
, y 
2
3 3x 2  2 x  1
y is a horizontal asymptote of y 
2 2 x 2  3x  2
Example II
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptote of the
x2  4 x  4
curve y 
9x2  9 x  2
Solution
Horizontal asymptote As x   
,y=4
x2  4 x  4
y
9 x2  9 x  2 4 x2
y = 4 is a horizontal asymptote of curve y 
2 
x2
2 
4x 4 x2  8
 9xx2 x9 x x2
2

x2
 x2  x2 Example IV
x 1
1 4
 4 Find the asymptotes of the curve y 

x x2
x( x  4)
9 9
x  2
x2
Solution
1 For the vertical asymptotes y   

as x     y  
9 x
1

y is a horizontal asymptote x = 0 and x = -4 are the vertical asymptote of the
9 x 1
curve y 
x( x  4)
x 1
Horizontal asymptote: y 
x( x  4)

For the vertical asymptote y   

 x 1
y
 x  4x 2

Note: The degree of the numerator is less than the

denominator (the rational fraction is proper)
The curve has a horizontal asymptote of y = 0.
1 and 2 are the vertical asymptotes.
x x
3 3 Alternatively:

x 1
y
Example IV x  4x
2

358
 (x – 2)(x + 1)

When y is positive, the curve lies above the x-axis

and when y is negative, the curve lies below the x-
axis.
As x     
The empty section of the curve can be represented.
As y    0
y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
x 1
y
x( x  1)

Slant Asymptotes
If is a rational fraction in which the degree
of the numerator is greater than the degree of the
denominator, we use long division to find the
slanting asymptote of the curve.

Where the degree of R is less than the degree of Q

and . This means that as x   

R ( x)
  0 ; so the graph approaches the
Q( x)
graph . In this situation,
is a slant asymptote.

4. Empty Sections of a Curve Region of restriction

These are regions where no part of the curve lies.
They can be adopted using the following method.
To find whether the curve lies above or below the x-
axis we equate the numerator and denominator to
zero
It is a region of the graph where the curve doesn’t lie.
We normally have a region of restriction if the curve
has a maximum and minimum point
For example, if a curve has a maximum
point (2, 1) and a minimum point (-1, 3).
Its implies that there is no curve in the interval
. If a curve has a maximum point
and a minimum point (1, 3). It implies that there is no
curve in the interval .
We can now find the region of restriction for the
3x  9
curve y 
( x  2)( x  1)

[ ]

x = -1, x = 2, x = 3 [ ]
x < -1 -1 < x < 2 2 < x < 3 x > 3

359
 B2 – 4AC ≥ 0
For real values of x (for the curve to be defined)
 rational functions:
Factors are -1, 9 and the product 9
Steps involved when sketching curves of
(1) Find x and y intercepts
(2) Investigate the nature of stationary points
(3) Find the asymptotes of the curve vertical
slanting or horizontal.
(4) Determine where the curve lies either
above or below the x- axis
(5) Determine the region where the curve has
got restrictions
(6) Sketch the curve

1 <y<3
3 Example I
-ve -ve +ve 3x  9
Sketch the curve y 
-ve +ve +ve  x  2   x  1
(y–3)(3y–1) +ve ve +ve Solution

For real values of x, must be

positive Intercepts:
There is no curve on the interval . For the x- axis y = 0
We can now represent the empty section for the
3x  9
curve y 
( x  2)( x  1)
The curve cuts the y – axis at (3, 0)
For y – axis, x = 0

The curve crosses the y – axis at (0, 4.5)

Stationary points of the curve:
3x  9
y
( x  x  2)
2

du dv
v  u
u dy dx dx
y  
v dx v2
dy ( x 2  x  2)(3)  (3x  9)(2 x  1)
 
dx ( x 2  x  2)2
dy (3x 2  3x  6)  (6 x 2  3x  18 x  9)

dx ( x 2  x  2)2
dy  3x 2  18 x  15

dx ( x 2  x  2)2
At stationary point

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For x = 1
3x  9
y
x  x 2
2

 6
For x = 1, y  As x   
, y  0
 2
y=3 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
(1, 3) is a stationary point
For x = 5,

(5, ) is a stationary point For the vertical asymptote y  

Nature of stationary points:

L x=1 R x = 2 and x = -1 are vertical asymptotes of the curve
dy
dx
L x=5 R
Empty Sections

(1, 3) is a minimum point of the curve and (5, ) is a

maximum point of the curve.
-1<x<2 2<x<3 x>3
Since the curve has a maximum and minimum point, 3x – 9 -ve -ve -ve +ve
it implies that there is no curve in the region (x – 2)(x+1) +ve +ve +ve
y -ve +ve -ve +ve
1
 y  3 (to be proved at a later stage)
3 The negative value of y shows the curve lies below
the x-axis. The positive value shows that the curve
3x  9 lies above the x-axis.
Asymptotes of the curve y
( x  x  2)
2

Region of restriction
an x n  an  1 x n  1   a1 x  a0
For the curve, y 
bm x m  bm 1 x m 1   b1 x  b0

If n < m, the curve has a horizontal asymptote of y= 0 y(x2 – x – 2) = 3x – 9

Since is a proper fraction, it implies that

it has a horizontal asymptote of y = 0
(For real values of x)
Alternatively,
y2 + 6y + 9 – 36y + 8y2 > 0

361
 x 2  3x
Stationary points of the curve y
x2  5x  4
dy ( x 2  5 x  4)  2 x  3  ( x 2  3x)(2 x  5)

dx ( x 2  5 x  4)2
Factors are -1, 9 and the product 9

At stationary point,

For the boundary conditions;

√
(y – 3)(3y – 1)
3x  9
We can now sketch the curve y  The curve has no stationary points
( x  2)( x  1) Asymptotes:

For the vertical asymptotes y   



are vertical asymptotes of the curve

1
2
x2 5x+4 x – 3x
x2 5x + 4
2x – 4

Example II
Sketch the curve
Solution

Intercepts
For the x-axis y = 0
As x     , y   1
is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
The curve cuts the x- axis at
For the y- axis, Does the curve cross the horizontal asymptote?
is a horizontal asymptote
The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 0)

362
 For the real values of

The curve crosses the horizontal asymptote at (2, 1)

Empty sections:

2y2 – 5y + 2 > 0

X<0 0<x<1 1<x<3 3<x<4 X > 4

x(x – 3) +ve −ve −ve +ve +ve For the boundary conditions
(x–1)(x–4) +ve +ve −ve −ve +ve
+ve −ve +ve −ve +ve
The positive sign indicates that the curve lies above y < 1 1 <y<2 y>2
the x-axis and the negative sign shows that the curve 2 2
y–2 −ve −ve +ve
lies above the x-axis.
2y – 1 −ve +ve +ve
x 2  3x (y-2)(2y-1) +ve −ve +ve
We can now sketch the curve y 
x2  5x  4 There is no curve in the region
x( x  3) When a curve comes from up and reaches the line y =
Or y  2, it turns upwards and when the curve comes from
( x  1)( x  4)
downwards and reaches the line it moves
downwards
At y = 2 we have a minimum point and at we
have a maximum point

y=2

Example III From

4 x  10
Given that y 
x2  4
(a) find the range of values where the curve doesn’t
lie
(b) hence determine the stationary points of the curve
(c) state the equations of the three asymptotes of the
curve , sketch the curve
Solution

If x = 1, y = 2

363
(1, 2) is a point of minima For the x- intercepts y = 0.

The curve cuts the x-axis at (2.5, 0)

For the y- intercept, x = 0

The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 2.5)

(4, is a point of maxima
Asymptotes:

x    ,y=0
y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
Example IV
2x2  8
For the vertical asymptote, y   
 Sketch the curve y 
2x  5

Solution

x = 2 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of the curve

Intercepts:
For the x- intercepts, y = 0
Whether the curve lies either above or below the
x- axis:

The curve cuts the x- axis at (2, 0) and (-2, 0)

For the y- intercepts, x = 0

The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 1.6)

4x – 10 Asymptotes:

The positive sign indicates that the curve lies above For the vertical asymptote, y   

the x-axis and the negative sign shows that the curve
lies above the x-axis.
is a vertical asymptote of the curve
Intercepts:

364
 Since the curve has a maximum point at (1, 2) and
minimum point at (4, 8)
 There is no curve in the region where
x+
the curve lies
2x – 5 2x2 – 8 Where the curve lies:
2x2 5x
5x – 8
5x – 25/2 2x2 – 8 = 0
9/2
2x – 5 = 0
( )
x < -2 -2 < x < 2 2 < x < 2.5 x > 2.5
+ve ve +ve +ve
ve ve ve ve
ve +ve ve +ve
5
As x   
, y x
2
5
y x is a slanting asymptote of the curve
2
2x2  8
y
2x  5
Stationary points:

At stationary point

If x = 4, y = 8
Example V
If x = 1, y = 2
(4, 8) and (1, 2) are stationary points of the curve Find the Cartesian equation of the curve
1 t
x
1 t
Nature of stationary points 2t 2
x=1 y
1 t
dy Hence sketch the curve where is the
L R
dx Cartesian equation of the curve
Solution
1 t 2t 2
x , y
1 t 1 t
xx ==14 1 t
dy From x 
L
dx
R 1 t

365
 x–3
2
x+1 x – 2x + 1
x2 + x
-3x + 1
2t 2 -3x – 3
y
1 t 4

( )

( )

As x     , y   x–3
( ) y = (x – 3) is the slanting asymptote

Stationary point:

is the Cartesian equation of the curve

If x = -3, y = -8
Intercepts:
If x = 1, y = 0
For x- intercepts y = 0 (-3, -8) and (1, 0) are stationary points

Nature of the stationary points:

x=1
dy
L R
dx

The curve cuts the x- axis at (1, 0)

For the y- intercept x = 0
(1, 0) is a point of minima
x=1
dy
L R
dx
The curve cuts the y – axis at (0, 1)
Asymptotes :

For the vertical asymptote y   

 (-3, -8) is a point of maxima
There is no curve in the interval -8 < y < 0
Where the curve lies:
is the vertical asymptote of the curve

366
 x < -1 -1 < x < 1 x>1 is the vertical asymptote of the curve
x2 – 2x + 1 +ve +ve +ve
x+1 −ve +ve +ve
y −ve +ve +ve

2x 1 x2 – 6x + 5
x2

( )

( )

x 11
As x  
±∞, y   
2 4
x 11
Example V  is the slanting asymptote of the curve
2 4
x2  6 x  5 Stationary points.
Sketch the curve y 
2x  1 dy (2 x  1)(2 x  6)  ( x 2  6 x  5)(2)
Solution 
dx (2 x  1) 2

For the x- intercept; y = 0

At a stationary point

x = 1 and x = 5
 (1, 0) and (5, 0)
The curve cuts the x- axis at(1, 0) and (5, 0)
If x = 2, y = -1 and if x = -1, y = -4
For the y- axis, x = 0
(2, -1) and (-1, -4) are stationary points.
x=2
dy
L R
dx
The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, -5)
Asymptotes

(2, -1) is a point of minima

For the vertical asymptote y   x=1
dy
L R
dx

367
 (-1, -4) is a point of maxima. (3) If f(x) has a maximum turning point at a
There is no curve in the interval -4 < y < -1 given value if x, has minimum turning
Where the curve lies:
point at that given value of x and vice versa
x2  6x  5  0
y Example I
2x  1  0
, Sketch the graph of hence
sketch the graph of
Solution
x < 1 1 <x <1 1 < x < 5 x > 5
2 2
x2–6x + 5 +ve +ve −ve +ve
2x - 1 −ve +ve +ve +ve
y −ve +ve −ve +ve
dy
At a stationary point, =0
dx

When x = 1.5, y = 6.25

) is a turning point
d2y
  2
dx 2
) is a point of maxima

Intercepts:
For x–axis y = 0

Reciprocal Curves
x = 4 and x = -1
Consider the curves whose equations are
The curve cuts the x–axis at (4, 0) and (-1, 0)
When the graph of the function
f(x) is familiar, the following simple properties For y – intercept, x = 0
provide the means to adapt the known graph of f(x)  y = 4 + 0 02 = 4
in order to sketch the graph of The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, 4)

If the graph of f(x) is known, to sketch the graph

the following steps are involved

(1) For a given value of x, f(x) and have the

same sign when f(x) lies above the x–axis,
lies above the x–axis and when f(x) lies
below the x–axis also also lies below the x-
axis)
(2) If f(x)  
0,    so that x–intercepts

became the vertical asymptotes of the curve From the above information we can now sketch
the graph of using the known graph of f(x).
Using the following properties

368
(1) For a given value of x, f(x) and have the ( ) is a stationary point
same sign. For x <-1, f(x) lies below the x – axis
Intercept:
implying that also lies below the x – axis For the x–intercept, y = 0
For f(x) lies above the x–axis
also lies above the x- axis
The curve cuts the x – axis at (0, 0) and (-2, 0)
For x > 4, f(x) lies below the x– axis implying
For the y – axis, x = 0 and
that also lies below the x– axis. The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, 0)
At x = 1.5, f(x) has a maximum point at (1.5, We can now sketch the graph of
6.25) .
has minimum point at (1.5, 0.16)
If f(x)  
0,  
x = 4 and x = -1 are the vertical asymptotes of
the curve

For lies below the x–axis implying

that also lies below the x – axis
For f(x) lies above the x–axis
Example II implying that also lies above the x – axis
Sketch the graph of hence For lies above the x – axis implying
sketch the graph of that also lies above the x – axis
Solution At has a maximum point at

Let ( )
At has a minimum point at ( )
At a stationary point At (0, 0) has a minimum point. has
maximum point ( ), has only one
turning with a minimum at ( ) because the
maximum point ( ) is not defined.
When f(x)  
0,  
x = 0 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of the
If x = 0, y = 0 curve

If ,

369
 6  4x
y  1 (By long division)
x  x 6
2

As x   
 ,y   1
y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve

For vertical asymptote f(x)     

 x –x–6=0
2

x = 3 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of f(x)

Example
Does the curve cut the horizontal
Show that has no turning points. asymptote?
Sketch the curve If
Sketch the graph of on the same axes
Solution

dy ( x 2  x  6)(2 x  5)  ( x 2  5 x)(2 x  1)
 The curve cut the horizontal asymptote at
dx ( x 2  x  6)2 (1.5, 1)
Where does the curve of lie.

662  4 
2
15
x
2 2
√

The curve has no turning point

x<-2 -2<x<0 0<x<3 3<x<5 x>5
Intercepts: x(x-5) +ve +ve ve ve +ve
For the x-intercept, y = 0 (x-3)(x+2) +ve ve ve +ve +ve
y +ve ve +ve ve +ve

The curve cuts the x – axis at (0, 0) and (5,

0)
For the y – axis, x = 0

The curve cuts the y – axis at (0, 0)

Asymptotes

370
We can now sketch the graph of using the known
graph of
For the graph of lies above the x – axis
implying that lies above the x – axis
For
lies below the x–axis implying that also
lies below the x–axis
For lies above the x–axis implying
that also lies above the x – axis
For lies below the x – axis, also
lies below the x – axis
For lies above the x – axis also lies
above the x – axis
When f(x)    0
1
g(x) =  
f ( x)
( x  3)( x  2)
g(x) =
x ( x  5)
1

x = 0 and x = 5 are vertical asymptotes of
f ( x)

371