Power Functions

Natural Power Functions

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎[𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)] + 𝑘

Positive Even 𝑛 / Turning Point Form

For even powers of 𝑥, such as 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 , the values of 𝑦 are the same for positive and
negative values of 𝑥. That is, 1 = (−1) , 2 = (−2) , … , 𝑥 = (−𝑥) . Therefore, there is reflectional
symmetry about 𝑥 = 0.

Quadratic Positive Even 𝑛 / Turning Point Form

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑎>0
Turning point: (0,0)

Transformed 𝑎<0
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘
Turning point: (ℎ, 𝑘)

𝑎>0 𝑎<0
Quartic
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
𝑎>0
Turning point: (0,0) As 𝑛 increases the graph becomes flatter at the
turning point (ℎ, 𝑘)
Transformed
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘 𝑎<0
Turning point: (ℎ, 𝑘)

Positive Odd 𝑛 / Point of Inflection Form

For odd powers of 𝑥, such as 𝑦 = 𝑥 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 , the values of 𝑦 are the opposite for positive and
negative values of 𝑥. That is, −1 = (−1) , − 2 = (−2) , … , − 𝑥 = (−𝑥) . Therefore, there is
rotational (180° turn) symmetry about (0,0).

Linear Positive Odd 𝑛 / Point of Inflection Form

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
Point on the line: (0,0) 𝑎>0

Transformed
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘 𝑎<0
Point on the line: (ℎ, 𝑘)

Cubic
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
Point of inflection: (0,0) 𝑎>0
𝑎>0 𝑎<0
Transformed
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘 𝑎<0 As 𝑛 increases the graph becomes flatter at the
Point of inflection: (ℎ, 𝑘)
point of inflection (ℎ, 𝑘)

Sketching Power Functions

1) Plot the turning point / point of inflection at (ℎ, 𝑘). Draw a short horizontal dash at this point.
2) Make 𝑦 = 0 to find the 𝑥-intercept(s) and plot them.
3) Make 𝑥 = 0 to find the 𝑦-intercept and plot it.
4) Use reflectional (even powers) or rotational (odd powers) symmetry about the stationary point to
plot another point using the 𝑦-intercept.
5) Sketch the graph.
Negative Power Functions
1 𝑎
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 = ⎯⎯⎯ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎[𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)] + 𝑘 = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 𝑘
𝑥 [𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)]

Hyperbola Negative Odd 𝑛 / Hyperbola Like

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
𝑎>0
1
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯
𝑥

Transformed
𝑎
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 𝑘 𝑎<0 𝑎>0
𝑥−ℎ 𝑎<0

Truncus Negative Even 𝑛 / Truncus Like

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

1 𝑎>0
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯
𝑥
𝑎>0 𝑎<0
Transformed
𝑎
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 𝑘 𝑎<0
(𝑥 − ℎ) As 𝑛 increases the graph approaches the
horizontal asymptote closer to (ℎ, 𝑘) and
the vertical asymptote further from (ℎ, 𝑘)

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏
The equation of a hyperbola may also be written as 𝑦 = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯.
𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑
𝐴
The numerator should be divided by the denominator to write as 𝑦 = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 𝐶 for easier sketching.
𝑥+𝐵

Asymptotes
The lines of 𝑥 = ℎ and 𝑦 = 𝑘 are called asymptotes of the graph of the hyperbola or truncus.
The graph of the hyperbola or truncus will approach these lines but never reach them. Therefore the
maximal domain of a negative power function is ℝ ∖ {ℎ}. The range depends if it is an even or odd
power. Negative odd power functions have a range of ℝ ∖ {𝑘}, where negative even power function
have a range of (𝑘, ∞) for 𝑎 > 0 or (−∞, 𝑘) for 𝑎 < 0.

Students are advised to show asymptotes with dashed lines, so as to ensure that the curve is clearly
distinguishable from the asymptote. Common errors with asymptotes include: joining the curve to the
asymptotes, leaving out equations for asymptotes, having the curve curling away from the asymptotes.

Sketching Hyperbolas and Trunci

1) Sketch the asymptotes 𝑥 = ℎ and 𝑦 = 𝑘
2) Find the 𝑦-intercept by making 𝑥 = 0. Plot it. Find the 𝑥-intercept by making 𝑦 = 0. Plot it.
3) Use the symmetry of the graph to plot these points on the diagonally opposite quadrant for
hyperbolas or horizontally opposite quadrant for trunci
4) Make the denominator equal to
a. ±𝑎 for hyperbolas to plot the points (ℎ + 𝑎, 𝑘 + 1) and (ℎ − 𝑎, 𝑘 − 1).
  ⎯⎯   ⎯⎯
b. 𝑎 for trunci to plot the points ℎ + √ 𝑎, 𝑘 + 1 and ℎ − √ 𝑎, 𝑘 + 1 .
5) Join up the points in the two quadrants and
a. approach the asymptotes at the same rate for hyperbolas
b. approach the horizontal asymptote sooner than the vertical asymptote for trunci

Root Functions
Root Functions
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ⎯⎯ = √⎯⎯
𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎[𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)]⎯⎯+ 𝑘 = 𝑎 𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ) + 𝑘

Square Root Function Positive Even 𝑛 / Square Root Like

⎯⎯
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
𝑎>0
𝑓(𝑥) = √⎯⎯
 
𝑥
𝑎<0
Transformed 𝑎<0
  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ 𝑎>0
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎√𝑥 − ℎ + 𝑘

Cube Root Function Positive Odd 𝑛 / Cube Root Like

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ⎯⎯
𝑎>0
𝑓(𝑥) = √⎯⎯
𝑥
𝑎<0 𝑎<0
Transformed 𝑎>0
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ As 𝑛 increases the graph becomes flatter at
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 √𝑥 − ℎ + 𝑘
the end point / point of inflection (ℎ, 𝑘)

Reciprocal Root Functions

1 ⎯⎯ 𝑎
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ⎯⎯ = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎[𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)] + 𝑘 = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 𝑘
√𝑥 𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)

Reciprocal Square Root Function Positive Even 𝑛 / Truncus Like

⎯⎯
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
𝑎>0
1
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯
  ⎯⎯
√𝑥

Transformed
𝑎 𝑎<0 𝑎<0
𝑎>0
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 𝑘
√𝑥 − ℎ
Positive Odd 𝑛 / Hyperbola Like
Reciprocal Cube Root Function
⎯⎯
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
𝑎>0
1
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯
⎯⎯
√𝑥 𝑎>0
𝑎<0
Transformed As 𝑛 increases the graph becomes flatter
𝑎 𝑎<0
𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 𝑘 aysmptotes
√𝑥 − ℎ

Rational Power Functions

Rational Power Functions
⎯⎯ ⎯⎯
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎[𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)] + 𝑘

𝑝
If 𝑝 > 𝑞 the polynomial shape dominates as ⎯⎯> 1
𝑞
𝑝
If 𝑝 < 𝑞 the root shape dominates as 0 < ⎯⎯< 1
𝑞
If 𝑝 = 𝑞, then 𝑦 = 𝑥

𝑝 ⎯⎯
As ⎯⎯→ 1 the graph of 𝑥 → 𝑥 and becomes straighter
𝑞

Domain
For even 𝑞 the domain is [ℎ, ∞) for 𝑏 > 0 and (−∞, ℎ] for 𝑏 < 0
For odd 𝑞 the domain is ℝ
Polynomial Domination 𝑝 > 𝑞 Root Domination 𝑝 < 𝑞
Below 𝑦 = 𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ (0,1) Above 𝑦 = 𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ (0,1)
Above 𝑦 = 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 1 Below 𝑦 = 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 1

Even 𝑝: Turning Point Form Even 𝑝: Square Root Like

Odd 𝑝: Point of Inflection Form Odd 𝑝: Cube Root Like

⎯⎯ ⎯⎯
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎[𝑏(𝑥 − ℎ)] +𝑘

𝑝
If 𝑝 > 𝑞 the negative power shape dominates as − ⎯⎯< −1
𝑞
𝑝
If 𝑝 < 𝑞 the reciprocal root shape dominates as − 1 < − ⎯⎯< 0
𝑞
1
If 𝑝 = 𝑞, then 𝑦 = ⎯⎯
𝑥

𝑝 −⎯⎯ 1
As ⎯⎯→ 1 the graph of 𝑥 → ⎯⎯and approaches a hyperbola
𝑞 𝑥

Domain
For even 𝑞 the domain is (ℎ, ∞) for 𝑏 > 0 and (−∞, ℎ) for 𝑏 < 0
For odd 𝑞 the domain is ℝ ∖ {ℎ}
Negative Power Domination 𝑝 > 𝑞 Reciprocal Root Domination 𝑝 < 𝑞

Even 𝑝: Truncus Like Even 𝑝: Truncus Like

Odd 𝑝: Hyperbola Like Odd 𝑝: Hyperbola Like