GCSE/IGCSEFM: Sketching

Quadratics and Cubics

Dr J Frost (jfrost@tiffin.kingston.sch.uk)

Last modified: 27th January 2017

What makes a graph sketch a ‘sketch’
 
 

 
 

Note therefore the difference between

‘plotting’ a graph (where we join up plotted
points on proper axes with scales indicated) and
‘sketching’ a graph (where we’re only interested
in general shape and giving an indication of
important features).
RECAP :: Sketching Quadratics
4 features of interest in sketch  

of a quadratic?

?
Roots

  ?
General shape: Turning points are where the gradient of
?
Smiley face or hill?
the line is 0 (i.e. horizontal).
You are generally not required to identify
Turning? points the coordinate of the turning point unless
asked.
Would you like $1,000,000?
 

 
Example 1
1. Roots
2. y-intercept  
3. Shape: smiley face or hill?

?
x
  -1 2

-2

 
Example 2
1. Roots
2. y-intercept
3. Shape: smiley face or hill?

?
? 1 4
x

Bro Tip: We can tidy up

by using the minus on the -4
front to swap the order in
one of the negations.
Test Your Understanding So Far
   

Roots?   ? Roots?   ?
y-Intercept?   ? y-Intercept?   ?
    ?     ?

y y
8

2
? ?
-2 -1
x -2
x
4
 

     

   
       

   

   
? ?
Understanding features of a quadratic
IGCSE FM June 2012 Paper 2 Q4

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  ?
 
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RECAP :: Using completed square for min/max

 
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Write down

🖉  
 Complete the table, and hence sketch the graphs
Equation Completed x at graph y at graph y-intercept Roots?
Square min min
1 y = x2 + 2x + 5 y = (x + 1)2 + 4 -1 4 5 None

2 y = x2 – 4x + 7 y = (x –?2)2 + 3 2 3 7 None?
? ? ?
3 y = x2 + 6x – 27 y = (x +?3)2 – 36 -3 ? -36 ? -27 ? x = 3?or -9

1 2 3

7
-9 3
5
? ?
(-1,4) (2,3)
-27
(-3,-36)
Exercise (Exercises on provided sheet)

   
1

 
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Exercise 1 (Exercises on provided sheet)

2   3  

a
 
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b

   
 
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?  c
 
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Exercise 1 (Exercises on provided sheet)

4   5  

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Exercise 1 (Exercises on provided sheet)

6   7  

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