C HAPTER

13

Functions and their

graphs

13.1 Function notation

Exercises 13.1
1

If f(x)
2x  1, evaluate:
a f(3)
b f(5)
1
If h(x)
  1:
x
a evaluate h(1)
c

evaluate h(2)  h(3)

If f(x)
x  x, evaluate:
a f(3)
b f(0)

f(0)

evaluate h(2)

1
express h() in simplest form
x

f(1)

f(2)

1
f()
2

If f(x)
2x  1 and g(x)
x  3, evaluate:

a g(1)
b f(4)

f(2)  g(0)

If k(x)
3x and m(x)
x , evaluate:

a m(2)
b k(3)

k(0)  m(1)

m(x)
0

If h(x)
2x  3 and m(x)
6  x, solve for x:

h(x)
a h(x)
m(x)
b 
3
m(x)
f(2  k)  12
If f(x)
1  3x, solve: 
f(k)
f(k  3)

13.2 The parabola: graphing the

curve from its equation
Exercises 13.2
1

For the graphs of each of the following parabolas:

i
state the equation for the axis of symmetry;
ii state the coordinates of the turning point (vertex);
iii state the value of the y-intercept;
iv sketch the curve, showing the turning point and any intercepts;

Chapter 13 Functions and Their Graphs

73

v
a

draw an accurate graph of the curve (plot about 79 points).

2
y
x2  4x  6
b y
5x  20x  32

For the parabola y
3x2  12x  15:

a state the equation for the axis of symmetry;
b state the coordinates of the turning point (vertex);
c state the value of the y-intercept;
d state the values of the x-intercepts;
e sketch the curve, showing the turning point and any intercepts;
f
draw an accurate graph of the curve (plot about 79 points).
(Note: The x-intercepts are computed in this case because the function factorises easily.)

For each of the following graphs:

i
state the x-intercepts;
ii state the equation for the axis of symmetry;
iii state the coordinates of the turning point;
iv sketch the curve.
2
2
a y
2x  7x
b y
5x  2x

13.3 The parabola: finding the

equation knowing the
coordinates of three points
Exercises 13.3
1

Find the equation for the parabola that has:

a y-intercept of 10 and x-intercepts of 1 and 5
b y-intercept of 30 and x-intercepts of 3 and 5

Find the equation for the parabola that passes through the three given points: (0, 8),
(4, 0) and (2, 0).

13.4 The circle

Exercises 13.4
1

74

Describe the graph that represents each of the following equations and draw a sketch-graph.
2
2
a (x  7)  (y  5)
16
b
x2  (y  3)2
25

CD Supplement to accompany Mathematics for Technicians

13.6 Algebraic solution of

simultaneous equations that
involve quadratic functions
Exercises 13.6
Solve the following simultaneous equations:

{ yy

x6 3xx  1
2

{ yy

2x6x 25x  13
2

{ yy

6x13x4x5  7
2

13.7 Graphical solution of

simultaneous equations that
involve quadratic functions
Exercises 13.7
For each pair of simultaneous equations below, plot on the same axes an accurate graph of each
of the functions and hence find approximate values of the solutions:
1

y
3x2  3x  1
y
2x2  2x  5

y
7x2  3x  1
y
x2  4x  1

y
5x2  x  1
y
3x2  10x  8

13.8 Verbally formulated problems

involving finding the maximum
or minimum value of a quadratic
function by graphical means
Exercises 13.8
1

PQRS is a rectangle in which PQ
3 m and QR
6 m. T is a point on PQ and K is a point

S
on SP such that SK
2  PT. Let the length of PT be x metres.
R
a Express A, the area of the triangle PTK, in terms of x.
2x
b Draw a sketch-graph of A against x.
K
c From your sketch-graph, determine the maximum
possible area of the triangle and the value of x for which
this occurs.
x
P

Chapter 13 Functions and Their Graphs

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