Year 10 Mathematics

Graphing Functions

Week 41 : Workbook

Name ________________________________________________________

Intuition Education Australia

PO Box 63 Epping NSW 1710
61 Rawson St Epping, NSW 2121
02 9868 7555
info@intu.com.au
intu.com.au
ABN 56 114 031 784

© Intuition Education Australia 2021

© Intuition Education Australia 2021
LESSON OUTCOMES
In today’s lesson, we will:

• Draw up a table of values to make a simple sketch

• Get familiar with piecemeal functions to graph each section individually

• Learn the different graph transformations of functions and relations

Graphing Functions 1
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GRAPHING FUNCTIONS
The simplest approach to sketching the graph of a function is by plotting points.

1. Select several 𝑥𝑥-values

2. Find the corresponding 𝑦𝑦-values (often, we represent this information in a table of values)

3. Plot these known points on the plane

4. Join the dots with a smooth curve

Question 1

Complete the table of values for each of the following functions:

(a) 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥 − 3;

𝑥𝑥 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3

𝑦𝑦

(b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥 + 2;

𝑥𝑥 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3

𝑦𝑦

(c) 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥 .

𝑥𝑥 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3

𝑦𝑦

Graphing Functions 2
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Question 2

Using the values found in Question 1, sketch the graphs of each of the following functions:

(a) 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥 − 3;

(b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥 + 2;

(c) 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥𝑥 .

Answer

Graphing Functions 3
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Graphing Functions 4
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Note that when we use this method, we do not know the behaviour between the selected points with

any certainty; there are many curves that go through these points, and we are guessing the simplest

among them. Therefore, this method can be unreliable when the curve has unusual features or is

disconnected and can fail to represent some features accurately.

Question 3

Complete the table of values for each of the following functions:

1
(a) 𝑦𝑦 = ;
2𝑥𝑥−3

𝑥𝑥 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3

𝑦𝑦

2𝑥𝑥−3
(b) 𝑦𝑦 = ;
|2𝑥𝑥−3|

𝑥𝑥 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3

𝑦𝑦

(c) 𝑦𝑦 = �|2𝑥𝑥 − 3|.

𝑥𝑥 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3

𝑦𝑦

Graphing Functions 5
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Question 4

Using the values found in Question 3, attempt to sketch the graphs of each of the following functions,

and identify any problems that arise:

1
(a) 𝑦𝑦 = ;
2𝑥𝑥−3
2𝑥𝑥−3
(b) 𝑦𝑦 = ;
|2𝑥𝑥−3|

(c) 𝑦𝑦 = �|2𝑥𝑥 − 3|.

Answer

Graphing Functions 6
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Graphing Functions 7
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PIECEMEAL FUNCTIONS
In a piecemeal function, the 𝑦𝑦-value is determined by a different rule in different parts of the

domain. The best-known example is the absolute value function:

−𝑥𝑥, 𝑥𝑥 < 0
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = �
𝑥𝑥, 𝑥𝑥 ≥ 0

To sketch the graph of a piecemeal function, we simply handle each part separately. Care must be

taken at the points where we cross over from one rule to another, often requiring open or closed

circles.

Question 5

Sketch the graph of the following function:

𝑥𝑥 2 , 𝑥𝑥 < −2
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = �2 − 𝑥𝑥, −2 ≤ 𝑥𝑥 < 1
3, 𝑥𝑥 ≥ 1

Answer

Graphing Functions 8
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GRAPH TRANSFORMATIONS
Given the graph of a function 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥), we often wish to sketch the graph of a related function or

relation.

To graph 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) + 𝑎𝑎, shift the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) up by 𝑎𝑎 units

To graph 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 − 𝑎𝑎), shift the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) right by 𝑎𝑎 units.

Question 6

Consider the following graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥):

Graphing Functions 9
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Question 6 (continued)

Sketch the graph of:

(a) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) + 1;

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

(b) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥 − 1);

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

Graphing Functions 10
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 To graph 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(𝑥𝑥), stretch the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) vertically by a factor of 𝑐𝑐.

𝑥𝑥
To graph 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓( ), stretch the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) horizontally by a factor of 𝑐𝑐.
𝑐𝑐

Question 6 (continued)

(c) 𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥);

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

Graphing Functions 11
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Question 6 (continued)

𝑥𝑥
(d) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓( );
2

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

Graphing Functions 12
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 To graph 𝑦𝑦 = |𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)|, keep the upper half of the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥), and reflect the lower half.

To graph |𝑦𝑦| = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥), keep and reflect the upper half of the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥), and discard the lower

half.

Question 6 (continued)

(e) 𝑦𝑦 = |𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)|;

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

Graphing Functions 13
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Question 6 (continued)

(f) |𝑦𝑦| = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥);

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

Graphing Functions 14
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 To graph |𝑦𝑦| = |𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)|, keep and reflect the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)

To graph 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(|𝑥𝑥|), keep and reflect the right half of the graph of 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥), and discard the left half.

Question 6 (continued)

(g) |𝑦𝑦| = |𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)|;

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

(h) 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑓𝑓(|𝑥𝑥|).

Answer

y=1
1

0 1 2 x
y = f (x)
-1 (3,-1) y = -1

x=2

Graphing Functions 15
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LESSON REVIEW
In today’s lesson we:

• Drew up a table of values to make a simple sketch

• Got familiar with piecemeal functions to graph each section individually

• Learnt the different graph transformations of functions and relations

END OF LESSON

NEXT WEEK: VECTORS

Graphing Functions 16
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