UNIT Functions and Graphs
1.7
Linear Graphs
1. The equation of a straight line is given by y = mx + c, where m = gradient of the
straight line and c = y-intercept.
2. The gradient of the line (usually represented by m) is given as
vertical change rise
m= or .
horizontal change run
Example 1
Find the m (gradient), c (y-intercept) and equations of the following lines.
4 Line C
Line A
3
x
0
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
–1 Line D
Line B
–2
For Line A:
The line cuts the y-axis at y = 3. ∴ c = 3.
Since Line A is a horizontal line, the vertical change = 0. ∴ m = 0.
Functions and Graphs 41
For Line B:
The line cuts the y-axis at y = 0. ∴ c = 0.
Vertical change = 1, horizontal change = 1.
1
∴m= =1
1
For Line C:
The line cuts the y-axis at y = 2. ∴ c = 2.
Vertical change = 2, horizontal change = 4.
2 1
∴m= =
4 2
For Line D:
The line cuts the y-axis at y = 1. ∴ c = 1.
Vertical change = 1, horizontal change = –2.
1 1
∴m= =–
−2 2
Line m c Equation
A 0 3 y=3
B 1 0 y=x
1 1
C 2 y= x+2
2 2
1 1
D – 1 y=– x+1
2 2
Graphs of y = axn
3. Graphs of y = ax
y y
O
x x
O
a>0 a<0
42 UNIT 1.7
4. Graphs of y = ax2
y y
O
x x
O
a>0 a<0
5. Graphs of y = ax3
y y
x x
O O
a>0 a<0
a
6. Graphs of y =
x
y y
x x
O O
a>0 a<0
a
7. Graphs of y =
x2
y y
x
O
x
O
a>0 a<0
Functions and Graphs 43
8. Graphs of y = ax
y y
1 1
x x
O O
a>1 0<a<1
Graphs of Quadratic Functions
9. A graph of a quadratic function may be in the forms y = ax2 + bx + c, y = ±(x – p)2 + q
and y = ±(x – h)(x – k).
10. If a > 0, the quadratic graph has a minimum point.
y
x
O
minimum point
11. If a < 0, the quadratic graph has a maximum point.
y
maximum point
x
O
44 UNIT 1.7
12. If the quadratic function is in the form y = (x – p)2 + q, it has a minimum point at
(p, q).
x
O
minimum point
(p, q)
13. If the quadratic function is in the form y = –(x – p)2 + q, it has a maximum point at
(p, q).
y
maximum point
(p, q)
x
O
14. To find the x-intercepts, let y = 0.
To find the y-intercept, let x = 0.
15. To find the gradient of the graph at a given point, draw a tangent at the point and
calculate its gradient.
16. The line of symmetry of the graph in the form y = ±(x – p)2 + q is x = p.
h+k
17. The line of symmetry of the graph in the form y = ±(x – h)(x – k) is x = .
2
Graph Sketching
18. To sketch linear graphs with equations such as y = mx + c, shift the graph y = mx
upwards by c units.
Functions and Graphs 45
Example 2
Sketch the graph of y = 2x + 1.
Solution
First, sketch the graph of y = 2x.
Next, shift the graph upwards by 1 unit.
y
y = 2x + 1
4
3
y = 2x
2
x
O
–6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5 6
–1
–2
–3
–4
46 UNIT 1.7
19. To sketch y = ax2 + b, shift the graph y = ax2 upwards by b units.
Example 3
Sketch the graph of y = 2x2 + 2.
Solution
First, sketch the graph of y = 2x2.
Next, shift the graph upwards by 2 units.
y
y = 2x2 + 2
4 y = 2x2
x
–3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
–1
Graphical Solution of Equations
20. Simultaneous equations can be solved by drawing the graphs of the equations and
reading the coordinates of the point(s) of intersection.
Functions and Graphs 47
Example 4
Draw the graph of y = x2 + 1. Hence, find the solutions to x2 + 1 = x + 1.
Solution
x –2 –1 0 1 2
y 5 2 1 2 5
y
y=x +1
2
4
y=x+1
x
0
–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5
Plot the straight line graph y = x + 1 in the axes above,
The line intersects the curve at x = 0 and x = 1.
When x = 0, y = 1.
When x = 1, y = 2.
∴ The solutions are (0, 1) and (1, 2).
48 UNIT 1.7
Example 5
The table below gives some values of x and the corresponding values of y, correct
to two decimal places, where y = x(2 + x)(3 – x).
x –2 –1.5 –1 – 0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
y 0 –3.38 –4 –2.63 0 3.13 p 7.88 8 5.63 q
(a) Find the value of p and of q.
(b) Using a scale of 2 cm to represent 1 unit, draw a horizontal x-axis for –2 < x < 4.
Using a scale of 1 cm to represent 1 unit, draw a vertical y-axis for –4 < y < 10.
On your axes, plot the points given in the table and join them with a smooth
curve.
(c) Using your graph, find the values of x for which y = 3.
(d) By drawing a tangent, find the gradient of the curve at the point where x = 2.
(e) (i) On the same axes, draw the graph of y = 8 – 2x for values of x in the
range –1 < x < 4.
(ii) Write down and simplify the cubic equation which is satisfied by the
values of x at the points where the two graphs intersect.
Solution
(a) p = 1(2 + 1)(3 – 1)
=6
q = 3(2 + 3)(3 – 3)
=0
Functions and Graphs 49
(b)
y
10
(e)(i) y = 8 + 2x
y = x(2 + x)(3 – x)
6
4
y=3
x
0 0.48 2.75 3
–2 –1 1 2 4
–2
–4
(c) From the graph, x = 0.48 and 2.75 when y = 3.
7−9
(d) Gradient of tangent =
2.5 −1.5
= –2
(e) (ii) x(2 + x)(3 – x) = 8 – 2x
x(6 + x – x2) = 8 – 2x
6x + x2 – x3 = 8 – 2x
x – x2 – 8x + 8 = 0
3
50 UNIT 1.7
