So far, you have studied the following concepts that are useful in analyzing the graph of a function.

• 𝑥-intercepts and 𝑦-intercepts

• Symmetry
• Domain of definition and range (In some cases)
• Continuity
• Differentiability
• Local extrema
• Points of inflection
• Asymptotes
• Limits at infinity

Example 1
In the following figure, the graphs f , f  and f  are shown on the same set of coordinate axes. Identify which is
which?
a) b)

Example 2
In the given graphs identify f and f  .

a)

b)

97
 d)

c)

Example 3
According to the given graph of the function f , answer the following questions.

a) Find the domain of f .

b) Find the points of discontinuity of f .
c) Find all asymptotes of f .
d) Find all intercepts of f .
e) For which values of x is the function f differentiable?
f) Determine the intervals on which f increases or decreases.
g) Determine the intervals on which f is concave or convex.

98
Example 4
Find the possible function of the given graph below.

x2 − 4 x2 + 1 2x2 + 1 x2 − 1
A) f ( x) = B) f ( x) = C) f ( x) = D) f ( x) =
x2 + 4 x2 − 4 x2 − 4 x2 − 4

Example 5
Find the possible function of the given graph below.

1 1 1 1
A) f ( x) = B) f ( x) = C) f ( x) = − D) f ( x) =
x +1 x −1 x +1 1− x

Example 6
Which of the following is the function of the given graph below?

2 2 𝑥+2
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = b) 𝑓(𝑥) = c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 − 𝑥 d) 𝑓(𝑥) =
1+𝑥 1+𝑥 2 1+𝑥 2

99
Example 7
Which of the following is the function of the given graph below?

2 2 2 1
A) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2 − B) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2 + C) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 + D) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2 −
𝑥−1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1 𝑥−1

Example 8
Which of the following functions crosses its horizontal asymptote?

2x
a) f ( x) =
x +1
2

x2
b) f ( x) =
3x 2 − 2

2 x2 − x + 2
c) f ( x) =
x2 − 3

100
 x
d) f ( x) = 1 −
x +1
3

Example 9
Write a function with a vertical asymptote of equation x = 4 and a horizontal asymptote of equation y = 0.

Example 10
Write a function with a vertical asymptote of equation x = 2 and a slant asymptote of equation y = 2 x − 3.

101
Example 11
Identify the real numbers x0 , x1 , x2 , x3 , and x4 in the figure, such that each of the following is true.
a) f ( x) = 0
b) f ( x) does not exist.
c) f ( x) = 0
d) f has a local maximum.
e) f has a local minimum.

Example 12
The graph of f is shown in the figure. Answer the following questions.

a) For which values of x is f ( x) zero? Positive? Negative?

b) For which values of x is f ( x) zero? Positive? Negative?

c) On what open interval f  is an increasing function?

d) On what open interval f  is a decreasing function?

102
Example 13
Given that, f is a continuous function, f (−2) = 0 and f (−2)  0. Which of the following is true?

A) f has a local minimum at x = −2 B) f has a local maximum at x = −2 .

C) f has an inflection at x = −2 . D) f has NO local extremum at x = −2

103