Solution
(a) Find the value of m.
Given the table:
x −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
y −20 −4
m 0 −2 −4 0 16
We know that y = x3 − 3x2 . Let’s find y when x = −1:
y = (−1)3 − 3(−1)2 = −1 − 3(1) = −1 − 3 = −4
−4
From the table, y = m when x = −1. Therefore:
−4
= −4 =⇒ m = 1
m
Answer: m = 1
(b) Draw the graph of y = x3 − 3x2 .
20 y
y = x3 − 3x2
15
10
5
x
−2 −1 1 2 3 4
−5
−10
−15
−20
(c) Use the graph to find an estimate.
(i) Gradient of the curve at x = 3.
To estimate the gradient at x = 3, draw a tangent to the curve at this point
and calculate its slope.
Estimate: The gradient is approximately 9.
1
(ii) Area bounded by the curve, the y-axis, and the line y = −12.
Find the points where y = −12 intersects the curve. Estimate the area under
the curve between these points and the y-axis.
Estimate: The area is approximately 24 square units.
(d) Range of values of x when the curve has a negative
gradient.
From the graph, identify where the slope of the curve is negative.
Answer: The curve has a negative gradient for 0 < x < 2.
(e) Solve the equation x3 − 3x2 = 2 for positive values of x.
Find the points where the curve intersects the line y = 2.
Answer: The solution is approximately x = 2.7.
