1

CALCULUS 4A – CUBIC FUNCTIONS

1. Cubic Functions
A cubic function is of the form 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 = 0. We can represent it with a graph. In order to draw
the graph, we need to work out the characteristics of the graph. We can use the derivative to identify the slope
(𝑓 ′ (𝑥)) of the graph at certain points. We also need to know how to solve equations in the third degree (𝑥 3 ),
so that we can work out the 𝑥 and 𝑦 intercepts of the graph.
2. Solving Third Degree Equations
Let’s work through this example: Factorise and solve for 𝑥: 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 = 3
First write in standard form, ie., 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 3 = 0. Use the Factor theorem to find one factor. The factor
theorem states that if 𝑓(𝑘) = 0, then 𝑥 − 𝑘 is a factor of 𝑓(𝑘). So if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 3, we want to
find a 𝑥 value that makes 𝑓(𝑥) = 0. Notice that 𝑓(𝑥) has a constant value of –3. If this expression can be
factorised, then at least one of its factors will use a factor of –3 in it. The factors of –3 are –3; –1; 1; 3. By trial
and error, test these factors to find which value of 𝑥 gives 𝑓(𝑥) = 0. Therefore, if 𝑥 = −1, then 𝑓(−1) =
(−1)3 − (−1)2 − 5(−1) − 3 = 0, ∴ 𝑥 − (−1) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥), ∴ 𝑥 + 1 is a factor of 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 3.
We will now use 𝑥 + 1 to find the other factors. Divide 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 3 by 𝑥 + 1 to find the other factors.
You can use (i) long division (Divide, Multiply, Subtract, and Bring down) or (ii) synthetic division at this
point.
∴ 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 3 = (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3) = (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1)

3. Sketching Cubic Functions

FUNCTION SHAPE
𝑎>0 𝑎<0

Quadratic (𝑥 2 )

𝑎>0 𝑎<0

Cubic (𝑥 3 ) or or

Dr AN Gounden
 2

The following steps must be followed when sketching a quadratic/cubic function:

Step 1: Shape (indicated by sign of “a” value, +a concave up and –a concave down)
Step 2: Differentiate 𝑓(𝑥) to find turning/stationary point(s) (let 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0 and solve for 𝑥)
Step 3: Double differentiate 𝑓(𝑥) to find inflection point (IP) – only applicable to cubic functions
(let 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 0 and solve for 𝑥)
Step 4: y-intercept (let 𝑥 = 0 and solve for 𝑦)
Step 5: x-intercept (let 𝑦 = 0 and solve for 𝑥 by using method described in 2 above)
Step 6: Draw graph showing all critical points, ie., x- and y-intercepts, TP’s and IP.

Exercise 1―Sketch 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8 and show all critical points.

Exercise 2― Sketch 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 + 2 and show all critical points.

Exercise 3― Sketch 𝑓(𝑥) = −(𝑥 + 1)3 + 8 and show all critical points.

4. Turning Point(s) (The 1st Derivative Test)

The 1st derivative test is used to find the (i) turning point(s), (ii) increasing interval and (iii) decreasing
interval of a curved function.
If 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) > 0, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) is increasing, that is, as 𝑥 increases 𝑦 increases.
If 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) < 0, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) is decreasing, that is, as 𝑥 increases 𝑦 decreases.
If 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0, then the function 𝑓(𝑥) is stationary.
5
Exercise 4―Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 2 𝑥2 − 2𝑥, find the intervals on which the function is (a) increasing (b)
decreasing (c) stationary.
Solution: Find 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) and factorise it, ie., 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 2 = (3𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2). From the factors, the critical
1
values (CV’s) are − 3 and 2. Represent this on a number line as follows:

1 2
3
f'(x) > 0 f'(x) < 0 f'(x) > 0
increasing decreasing increasing
f'(x) = 0 f'(x) = 0
stationary stationary
1
Therefore from the number line (a) the function is increasing for all values of 𝑥 < − 3 or 𝑥 > 2, (b) decreasing
1 1
in the interval − 3 < 𝑥 < 2, and (c) stationary at 𝑥 = − 3 and 𝑥 = 2
Dr AN Gounden
 3

*Exercise 5―Make a rough sketch of 𝑓(𝑥) using the following information:

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) < 0 when 𝑥 < −1 or 𝑥 > 2
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) > 0 when −1 < 𝑥 < 2
𝑓(−2) = 𝑓(1) = 𝑓(3) = 0 and 𝑓(0) = −1

5. Inflection Point (The 2nd Derivative Test)

The 2nd derivative test is used to find the (i) inflection point and (ii) concavity of a cubic function.
Let 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 0 and solve for 𝑥; substitute 𝑥-value into original equation and solve for 𝑦.
If 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) > 0, then the function concaves up (curve is above tangent)
If 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) < 0, then the function concaves down (curve is below tangent)
𝑥𝑇𝑃1 +𝑥𝑇𝑃2 𝑦𝑇𝑃1 +𝑦𝑇𝑃2
Alternatively the inflection point can be obtained by: ( ; )
2 2

Exercise 6―Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 12𝑥2 + 36𝑥, find the (a) inflection point, and the intervals where the
function is (b) concave up and (c) concave down.

Solution: Find 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) (the 2nd derivative). Equate to zero and solve for 𝑥. Therefore:
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 36 and 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 6𝑥 − 24 = 0 ∴𝑥=4
Now represent this on the number line as shown below:

x 4
__ ____
f''(x) concave down +concave
+++++
0 up
x<4 x>4
(a) 𝑥 – co-ordinate of IP is 4 and 𝑦 – co-ordinate is then = 43 − 12(4)2 + 36(4) = 16, therefore, IP (4 ; 16).
(b) The graph concaves up for all 𝑥 values > 4 and (c) concaves down for all 𝑥 values < 4.

Exercise 7―Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥3 − 3𝑥2 − 36𝑥 + 37, find (a) turning point(s) (b) inflection point, and the
intervals where the function is (c) increasing (d) decreasing (e) concave up and (f) concave down.

Dr AN Gounden
 4

6. Graph Interpretation
6.1 Finding Equation of a Cubic Function
6.1.1 When 𝑥-intercepts are given use 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 )(𝑥 − 𝑥3 )
Exercise 8―Look at the graph below and find the equation if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑
[𝑎 = −1 ; 𝑏 = 5 ; 𝑐 = −7 ; 𝑑 = 3]

6.1.2 When turning point is given, find 𝑓 ′ (𝑥), substitute 𝑥-co-ordinate of TP to form equation 1. Then
substitute co-ordinate of TP into 𝑓(𝑥) to form equation 2. Combine 1 and 2 and solve simultaneously
for two unknowns.
Exercise 9―Look at the graph below and find the equation if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
[𝑎 = −8 ; 𝑏 = 13 ; 𝑐 = 3]

Exercise 10―This is the graph of 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐. (i) Find the values of 𝑏 and 𝑐. (ii) Determine the
equation of 𝑓(𝑥) and draw a rough sketch of 𝑓(𝑥) if 𝑓(−3) = −9 (iii) Find the values of 𝑥 if 𝑥. 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) > 0.

Hint: Use anti-derivative rule:

𝒂𝒙𝒏+𝟏
𝑓′ If 𝒇′ (𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙𝒏 then 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒏+𝟏

(i) [ 𝑏 = −2 ; 𝑐 = 3]
1
(ii) [𝑓(𝑥) = − 3 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥]

(iii) [𝑥 < −3 or 0 < 𝑥 < 1]

Dr AN Gounden