MHF4U1 Unit 1 Lesson 3

Graphing Five Base Functions

Learning Goals

 To graph the parent functions quadratic, exponential, reciprocal, square root and
absolute
 To determine domain and range as well as features of the above listed functions

The Quadratic Function

Sketch the graph of f (x)= x2 . State the domain and range. List any other features of the

graph.

A common method for sketching any function is to use a table of values. X Y

-3

-2

-1

Domain: Range:
3
Observations:

1
MHF4U1 Unit 1 Lesson 3

The Square Root Function

Sketch the graph of f (x)= √ x . State the domain and range. List any other features of

the graph.
X Y

Domain:

Range:

Observations:

2
MHF4U1 Unit 1 Lesson 3

The Reciprocal Function

1
Sketch the graph of  f (x)= State the domain and range. List any other features of the
x
graph.

X Y

-3

-2

Domain:
-1

Range:
0

1
Characteristics:

Asymptote: a line that the graph of a function approaches but does

not touch for some values of x in the domain. Asymptotes are generally
shown using dashed lines.

3
MHF4U1 Unit 1 Lesson 3

The Exponential Function

The exponential function, in general, is written f( x)=a x , a> 0 , a≠ 1.

Sketch the graph of f (x)=2x . State the domain and range. List any other features of the

graph.

X Y

-3

-2

-1

Domain:
2

3
Range:

Observations: 

4
 X Y
MHF4U1 Unit 1 Lesson 3

The Absolute Value Function -3

Absolute value – distance from the origin. Always a positive value

-2
 Sketch the graph of  f (x)=¿ x ∨. State the domain and range. List any

other features of the graph.

-1

Domain:

Range:

Observations: