Name: __________________________ Date: _________________________

Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

1.3 – Exploring Properties of Parent Functions
Family: a collection of functions (or lines or curves) sharing common characteristics.
Parent Function: the simplest, or base, function in a family
Absolute value: written as |𝑥|; describe the distance of x from 0; equals x when 𝑥 ≥ 0 or −𝑥 when 𝑥 < 0; for
example, |3|=3 and |−3| = −(−3) = 3.
Asymptote: a line that the graph of a relation or function gets closer and closer to, but never meets, on some
portion of its domain.
Equation of Name of Function Sketch of Graph Examples
Function

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2

1
Equation of Name of Function Sketch of Graph Examples
Function

𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥

1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥

𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|

2
Let’s explore (graphically) basic properties of the five parent functions:
Equation of Table of Values Sketch of Graph Domain & Range
Function

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

Type of function:

__________________

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2

Type of function:

__________________

𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥

Type of function:

__________________

3
 1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥

Type of function:

__________________

𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|

Type of function:

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