Features of graphs

There are many features of a graph that we might want to identify when sketching.

?
y-intercept?

y as ? ?
y as ? ?

Turning ?
Points?

Roots??
?
Asymptotes?
1
y= +2 ¿
𝑥+ 2
! An asymptote is a straight line that a curve approaches at infinity (indicated by dotted line).
Types of graphs
There are three types of graphs you need to be able to deal with:

𝑦 𝑦 𝑦

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
e.g. e.g. e.g.

Parabola Cubic Reciprocal

(Quadratic Equation)
Sketching Quadratic Functions (Parabola)
3 features needed in sketch? y

?
Roots

General shape: ?
y-intercept
Shape ?
Smiley face or hill?
Example 1
1. Roots
2. y-intercept
3. Shape: smiley face or hill?

2
𝑦=𝑥 − 𝑥− 2 ?
x
So if , i.e. , then or . -1 2

-2

When , clearly
.
Example 2
1. Roots
2. y-intercept
3. Shape: smiley face or hill?
?
Tip: We can tidy up by using the
?

minus on the front to swap the order

in one of the negations. y

x
1 4
=

-4
Test Your Understanding So Far
2
? 2
𝑦 =𝑥 +3 𝑥+ 2 ? ? 𝑦 =− 𝑥 + 2 𝑥+ 8

Roots? x = -1, -2 Roots? 𝑥=−2 , 4

y-Intercept? y=2 y-Intercept? 𝑦 =8
or shape? ∪ or shape? ∩
y y
8

-2 -1
x -2
x
4

?
Graph Equation
𝑦 𝑦

1 𝑥 1 2 𝑥
−1 −
2 4 3

Find an equation for this curve, in the Find an equation for this curve, in the
form where are integers. form where are integers.
Understanding features of a quadratic
IGCSE FM June 2012 Paper 2 Q4

Positive (to give shape)

Negative (this is -intercept)

Since the solutions are the roots.

Thus (using the graph) one is
positive, one negative.

From graph, never drops

below -3, so 0 solutions.

Line is horizontal. So
tangent is
Using completed square for min/max

2
𝑦 =𝑥 −6 𝑥 +10
2
¿ ( 𝑥 − 3 ) +1
How could we use this completed square to
find the minimum point of the graph? ?
(Hint: how do you make as small as possible in this
equation?)

Anything squared must be at least 0. So to make the RHS as small as

possible, we want to be 0. This happens when . When , .
Turning point

! When we have a quadratic in the form:

The turning point is .

 Complete the table, and hence sketch the graphs
Equation Completed x at turning y at turning y-intercept Roots?
Square point point

1 y = x2 + 2x + 5 y = (x + 1)2 + 4 -1 4 5 None

2 y = x2 – 4x + 7 y = (x –?2)2 + 3 2 ? 3 ? 7 ? None?

3 y = x2 + 6x – 27 y = (x +?3)2 – 36 -3 ? -36 ? -27 ? x = 3?or -9

1 2 3

7
-9 3
5
? ?
(-1,4) (2,3)
-27
(-3,-36)
Exercise
Sketch the following parabolas, ensuring you (c)
1
indicate any intersections with the coordinate
axes. If the graph has no roots, indicate the
minimum/maximum point. 1
(a)
?
1

(d)
?
2
3
?
(b) −√3 √3
(e)

? 4
−5
−5
1 ?
−1 4