Ordered pairs

Recall that coordinates are an ordered pair.

A set of coordinates in the Cartesian plane gives us a graph.

In most cases, the coordinates are written as integers, e.g. (3, 7) or (2, −5),
which are plotted on to the grid.

These points are then ‘joined together’ in a straight line, or smooth curve.
Drawing graphs
Let us plot three points on the function

What type of function is f(x) ?

Linear
So, the graph is a straight line
Ideally, we should choose
one point ‘to the left’

one point ‘in the middle’

one point ‘to the right’

one point ‘to the left’
when x = −3,

So the y-value is −5.

We can now plot (−3, −5).

 one point ‘in the middle’
when x = 0,

So we plot (0, 1).

Note that:
• (0, 1) are the coordinates of the
y-intercept.
• The y-intercept is 1.
 one point ‘to the right’
when x = 2,

We plot (2, 5).

is a linear function, so
the graph should be a straight line.

Note: Plotting three points allows us to

‘check’ if we have made any mistakes.
Reading graphs – Part 1
How can we use the graph of f(x) to
find f (−2) ?
Step 1: Look for −2 on the x-axis.
Step 2: Move up or down to find the point
on the graph whose x-coordinate
is equal to −2.
Step 3: Move left or right to find the
corresponding y-value.
Step 4: Write down f (−2) = −3
Reading graphs – Part 2
How can we use the graph of f(x) to
solve f(x) = 3?
Note: f(x) is the same as y
Step 1: Look for 3 on the y-axis.
Step 2: Move left or right to find the point
on the graph whose y-coordinate
is equal to 3.
Step 3: Move up or down to find the
corresponding x-value.
Step 4: Write down x = 1
Reading graphs – Part 3 y

The graph of f(x) is shown.

Some questions ...

1. What is the scale on the x-axis?

1 square is 2 units

2. What is the scale on the y-axis?

1 square is 1 unit x
 y
3. What is the domain of f(x)?

4. What is the range of f(x)?

x
 y

4. For what interval does the

slope of f(x) equal zero?

5. In what interval is the

The word
graphinterval means the
steepest?
x-values of the graph
x
6. What is the value of f(8)?
y
This means: What is the value
of y when x = 8?

7. Solve f(x) = −1
This means: What value
of x gives y = −1?

8. Write down the y-intercept.

1
x
9. Write down the x-intercept.
−4
Intersecting graphs
1. What is the domain of f(x)?

2. What is the range of g(x)?

3. What are the zeroes f(x)?

Note: Zeroes are the x-intercepts
4. What are the coordinates of the
y-intercept of f(x)?

5. For what values of x does f(x) = g(x)?

6. In which interval is f(x) ≤ g(x)?

Axis intercepts
Recall that:
• The place where any graph crosses the x-axis is called the x-intercept.
• The place where any graph crosses the y-axis is called the y-intercept.

For the x-intercept, y = 0. What is always

What (0,
is 4)
always
The x-intercept is −2. true about the
true coordinates
about the of
(−2, 0)coordinates of
the x-intercept?
For the y-intercept, x = 0. the y-intercept?
The y-intercept is 4.