2024 JC1 H2 MATHEMATICS (9758)
FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS
Tutorial 1: Graphing Techniques I − Basic Graphs and Rational Functions
First use a GC to see the shape of the curve. You may need to zoom in/out to see the complete
curve accurately.
Then use a GC to locate the coordinates of the stationary points and axial intercepts, if
needed. Also identify the equations of the asymptotes.
Finally sketch the curve with the features clearly shown, preserving the scale and shape (and
symmetry, if any) of the curve.
[Level 0] Download the solutions from matrix to check on the accuracy of your work.
1 Express − x 2 + 4 x − 3 in the form a − ( x − b)2 , where a and b are constants. Explain how the
maximum value of the expression can be obtained and state this value.
Without using a GC, sketch the graph of y = − x 2 + 4 x − 3 , giving the equation of the line of
symmetry and the coordinates of the turning point.
[Solution]
y
y = − x + 4 x − 3 = −( x − 2) + 1
2 2
(2, 1)
Since ( x − 2) 2 0 for all real values of x, y 1
Thus the maximum value is 1 (and it occurs when x = 2). x
(1,0) (3,0)
When x = 0, − x 2 + 4 x − 3 = 0
( x − 1)( x − 3) = 0 (0,–3)
x = 1 or x = 3
Line of symmetry is x = 2
2 On separate diagrams, sketch each of the following graphs, highlighting the curve near the
origin. Give the coordinates of the turning points and the axial intercepts.
(a) y = x( x + 2)(2 x − 1)
Using a GC, find the equation of the tangent to the curve in (a) at the point where x = 1 .
(b) y = x 2 ( x + 2)(2 x − 1)
[Solution]
(a) y = x( x + 2)(2 x − 1)
Using GC, the equation of tangent at x = 1 is y = 10 x − 7 .
Note that the turning points do not occur at the mid-value of the x-intercepts. 1
(b) y = x 2 ( x + 2)(2 x − 1)
3 On separate diagrams, sketch each of the following graphs. Indicate the intersections with the
axes and the equations of the asymptotes, if any.
(a) y = ln( x − 1) (b) y = e x − 1
[Solution]
(a) (b)
y
0 1 2 0
2
4 Using long division, identify the equations of the asymptotes of the following graphs.
On separate diagrams, sketch the following graphs, showing clearly the coordinates of the
turning points and the points where the curve crosses the axes, if any.
1− x 2x 2x2 − x −1 4 x − x2
(a) y = (b) y = (c) y = (d) y =
1+ x 4− x x−4 x −1
[Solution]
1− x 2 2x 8
(a) y = = −1 + (b) y = = −2 +
1+ x 1+ x 4− x 4− x
y y
(0,1)
(1,0) x (0,0) x
2x2 − x − 1 27 4 x − x2 3
(c) y = = 2x + 7 + (d) y = = −x + 3 +
x−4 x−4 x −1 x −1
y
y
(7.67, 29.7) min pt
(4,0)
x
(0,0) 3
(0,7) _
(0,0.25) (0.326,0.303) max pt
x
(-3.5,0) (-0.5, 0) (1,0)
Zoom in here. Observe that the Observe that the curve passes
curve does not cut the origin through the origin
and the maximum point is to
the right of y-axis.
3
Optional
4 (i) Sketch the graphs of y = sin 2 x and y = tan x on the same axes for − x .
(ii) Find the roots of the equation sin 2 x = tan x for − x .
2 2
(Hint: Set your GC to Radian mode and use the Window setting)
[Solution]
(i)
−1
(ii) Using GC, the intersection points between the 2 graphs are
(0, 0), (0.785, 1) and (−0.785, −1).
The roots are x = 0 , x = 0.785 and x = −0.785
Alternatively, solve exactly
sin 2 x = tan x
sin x
2sin x cos x = using sin 2 x = 2sin x cos x
cos x
2sin x cos x = sin x
2
sin x(2 cos 2 x − 1) = 0
1
sin x = 0 or cos x =
2
x = 0 or x =
4
4
5 On the same diagram, sketch each of the following pairs of curves, showing the coordinates
of the points of intersections between the curves.
(a) y = 3 x 2 , y = 3 x 4 (b) y = 2 x , y = 2 4 x
[Solution]
(a)
y
(–1,3) (1,3)
Note that the tangent to both curves at
the origin is the horizontal line y = 0
x
0
(b)
y
(1, 2)
Note that the tangent to both curves at
the origin is the vertical line x = 0
x
0
