Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.

4 / KC

3.0 Review

Functions
 Express the idea of one quantity depending on another quantity
 substitute different values of x into f(x) and obtain the corresponding values of f(x)
 if (a,b) is on the graph of y = f(x),
then b = f(a) is resulted.

 The composite function ( f o g )( x ) is defined as (f o g )( x ) = f ( g ( x ))

 ( f o g )( x ) ≠ ( g o f )( x ) ≠ f ( x ) ⋅ g ( x )
 Example 1.1
Find g (h( x )) if g(x) = x2 + 2x and h(x) = 1 – x.
g (h( x )) = g (1 − x ) = (1 − x ) + 2(1 − x ) = 1 − 2 x + x 2 + 2 − 2 x
2

= x 2 − 4x + 3
 Example 1.2
Find functions h(x) and g(u) such that f(x) = g (h( x )) where
5
f ( x) = (3 x + 1) +
2

2(3 x + 1)
3

5
 g (u ) = u 2 + and h( x) = 3 x + 1
2u 3

 Polynomials f ( x ) = a n x n + a n −1 x n −1 + ...a1 x1 + a 0

 where a n , a n −1 ,...a1 , a 0 are real.

 The non-negative n is called the degree of the polynomial with an as the leading
coefficient and a 0 as the constant coefficient
 The number of roots = n [The roots may not be all different and real.]

Plotting a graph
 it is usual to use y to denote the function of x rather than f(x).
[so it is usual to see y = ….. rather than f(x) = …..]
 often label the dependent variable among the y-axis and the independent variable along the x-axis.
 a traditional method to plot the graph

P. 1/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

 Find the points that they are on the graph as many as possible.
List out they by using a table like:
x ……
y / f(x) ……
 Then mark the points one by one on the rectangular plane.

Linear Functions
 The graph is a straight line.
 A function x is defined by f(x) = mx + k or y = mx + k,
where m and c are constants, is called a linear function in x.
[The highest degree = 1]
 Find two points on the graph, (x1, y1), (x2, y2)
[usually they are x-intercept and y-intercept]
y 2 − y1
slope = m =
x 2 − x1

 For y-intercept, sub x = 0

y = m(0) + k
y=k
∴ y-intercept is k
[be reminded that, x-intercept and y-intercept are values, numbers, not coordinates!!]
 When k = 0, the line pass through origin O (0, 0)
 The following shows the relationship of m and k with the equation y = mx + k:

m > 0, k > 0 m < 0, k > 0

m > 0, k < 0 m < 0, k < 0

P. 2/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

 The general form of a linear function taught previously is

ax + by + c = 0.

 It would be more useful to change it to slope-intercept form: y = mx + k

 ax + by + c = 0
−a c
y= x − [In the form y = mx + k.]
b b

 For plotting the graph of a linear equation, at least three points are needed.
[The extra point is used for checking]

Constant Functions
 the graph is a straight line parallel to the x-axis.
 it is defined by y = k, where k is a constant, which means the

distance between the line and the x-axis is k units.

[e.g. 2.5 = 2.5, − 3.9 = 3.9 , this is call absolute value, which

means only care about the magnitude of the number, the sign is
not considered]

Simultaneous linear equations

 For algebraic method, there are two ways of solving
1. Method of substitution
2. Method of elimination
[The skills will be discussed in section 3.4]

 For graphical method, if solution exists, find the intersection of two straight line!
Suppose point (a, b) is located on line 1. If this point satisfies the equation of line 2, then it is the
solution of the simultaneous equations.

Solving Quadratic Equations in one unknown

 1. Factorization
2. Taking Square root
3. Method of Completing the Square
4. Quadratic Formula

P. 3/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

3.1 Graphs of Equation y = ax2 + bx + c Axis of symmetry

Previously, the focus is ax2 + bx + c = 0. It is an equation. In this
section, the graph
y = ax2 + bx + c is considered. It is a function, not a equation.

For the function y = ax2 + bx + c, a, b and c are constant, with a ≠ 0
and a > 0.

The graph is a curve called Parabola.

Properties of a quadratic graph

Vertex
 Direction of opening

a>0 a<0

 the graph cuts the y-axis at (c, 0) and y-intercept = c

 the vertex is the turning point of the parabola

 if a > 0, it is the minimum / lowest point of the quadratic graph
if a < 0, it is the maximum / highest point of the quadratic graph

 The axis of symmetry is a line about which a graph is reflectionally symmetric.

It passes through the vertex!

Shape of a Quadratic graph

 For the function y = ax2 + bx + c, the coefficients of x2 (a), x (b), and the constant c affect the
shape of the quadratic graph.

 The coefficient of x2 -- a
 the magnitude of a determines the width of the quadratic graph. Larger the number, narrower
the range it is.

P. 4/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

 a>0

 a<0

 For y- intercept
 sub x = 0
y-intercept = c.

 For x-intercept(s)
 sub y = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
 from previous chapter,

△>0 △=0 △<0

2 intersections / x-intercepts 1 intersection / x-intercept no intersections / x-intercepts

P. 5/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

3.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphical Method

Solving the quadratic equation means find the x-intercept(s) of the graph with the x-axis.

 y = ax 2 + bx + c
 ⇔ ax 2 + bx + c = 0
y = 0
[ ⇔ means equivalent.]

As mentioned before, the values of x-intercepts are found by putting y = 0 and then solve
ax 2 + bx + c = 0 . i.e. find the coordinates of the x-intercept(s) from the graph.
 Example 2.1
The figure on the right shows the graph
of y = x2 + 2x – 3. Solve the equations x2
+ 2x – 3 = 0 graphically.
 [Read the coordinates directly]
From the graph,
x = -3 or x = 1

 Similar to the answers of solving quadratic equations algebraically, there may be one double real
roots, two unequal real roots or no real roots. Show all the answer(s) observed from the graph.

3.3 Reading information from Graphs

The value of the y-coordinate of a point from the graph can be read when the value of the
corresponding x-coordinate is given

the range of x of the graph can be determined by satisfying a certain condition of y
 Example 3.1
 Given the graph y = ax + b of
− 3 ≤ x ≤ 2 as following
(a) Find the value of x when y = -3.
Also the value of y when x = -2.
(b) Find a and b.
(c) Find the range of x such that
y ≧ 3.
[‘y ≧ 3’ is the condition of the question
needed to be focus.]

P. 6/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

 (a) From the graph

when x = -2, y = 3.
when y = -3, x = 1.

 (b) From (a)

Sub (-2, 3) into y = ax + b
3 = -2a + b --- (1)
Sub (1, -3) into y = ax + b
-3 = a + b --- (2)
(2) – (1) -3 - 3 = a- (-2a)
a = -2
Sub a = -2 into (2) b = -1.
∴ a = -2, b = -1

 (c) From the graph,

− 3 ≤ x ≤ −2
[As the range of x is given in the question, include this condition!]

by using the graph y = f(x), the inequality f(x) > k (or f(x) < k ) can be solved graphically.
 Steps
1. Consider the graph y = f(x).
2. Add a straight line y = k onto the graph
3. Locate the region of y > k (or y < k)

 Example 3.2
Given the graph y = x3 – 4x2 + x – 6. Solve x3 – 4x2 + x – 6 < -8 graphically.

P. 7/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

 [The following shows the steps]

[1. Consider the graph y = f(x).]

[2. Add a straight line y = -8 onto the graph]

[3. Locate the region of y < - 8]

 From the graph,

− 1 ≤ x ≤ −0.5 or − 1 ≤ x ≤ 3.5
[-0.5 and 3.5 may not be the exact values. As the question as you to solve the graph graphically,
correct the answers to 1 decimal place in this case.]

P. 8/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

For solving quadratic inequality graph

 For the graph opening upward and α and β are the roots of ax2 + bx + c = k.
 1. y > k, for x < α or x > β
2. y < k, for α < x < β
if k is greater than the y-coordinate of the vertex of f(x)
 For the graph opening downward and α and β are the roots of ax2 + bx + c = k.
 1. y < k, for x < α or x > β
2. y > k, for α < x < β
if k is less than the y-coordinate of the vertex of f(x)

3.4 Solving Simultaneous Equations Algebraically

The same way to solve simultaneous equations with one linear equation and one quadratic equation in
two unknowns.

Method of substitution
 change as y as subject of the linear equation, then substitute into the quadratic equation
 Example 4.1
Solve y = −2 x 2 − 8 x − 10 = −4 x − 8

 y = −2 x 2 − 8 x − 10
 [ y = −2 x − 8 x − 10 = −4 x − 8 is the same as 
2
,
 y = −4 x − 8
but it is easier to consider the second equal sign only.]
y = −2 x 2 − 8 x − 10 = −4 x − 8
− 2 x 2 − 8 x − 10 = −4 x − 8
2 x 2 + 4 x + 10 = 0
x 2 + 2x + 1 = 0
x = -1 (repeated)
Sub x = -1, y = -4
∴ x = -1, y = -4 (repeated)

Method of Elimination
 See if there are similar terms can be eliminated.
 Example 4.2

2 x 2 + y − x − 3 = 0
Solve 
3x − y − 1 = 0
 2 x 2 + y − x − 3 = 0 --- (1)
3x − y − 1 = 0 --- (2)
(1) + (2) 2x2 – x – 3 + (3x – 1) = 0
2x2 + 2x – 4 = 0
x2 + x – 2 = 0

P. 9/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

(x - 1)(x + 2) = 0
x = 1 or x = -2
x = 1  x = −2
 or 
y = 2  y = −7

 Example 4.3

2 x 2 + 3 x + 4 = y
Solve 
x + 2 y − 3 = 0
 2 x 2 + 3x + 4 = y --- (1)
x + 2y −3 = 0 --- (2)
(1) x 2 4x 2 + 6x − 2 y + 8 = 0 --- (3)
(2) + (3) 4 x 2 + 7 x + 5 = 0

− 7 ± 7 2 − 4(4)(5)
x=
2( 7 )

− 7 ± − 31
x=
14
∴ There is no real roots / solutions

3.5 Solving Simultaneous Equations Graphically

Relationship between the algebraic method and graphical method
The Algebraic Method The Graphical Method
The solution(s) of the corresponding system of The point(s) of intersection(s)
equations
Number of solution(s) Number of Intersection(s)
2 △>0 2
1 △=0 1
0 △<0 0
Method of substitution or Using table to plot the graph or read the
method of elimination information from the graph

The solutions of the simultaneous equations reading from the coordinates of the points intersection are
approximation only.

P. 10/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

 Example 5.1
 The figure shows the graph y = 3 x + a and y = − x 2 + bx + 8 . A is one of the points of
intersection of two graphs.
 (a) Referring to the figure,
find a solution of

 y = − x 2 + bx + 8

 y = 3x + a
(b) Find the values of a and b.
(c) Based on the answer to (b),
find another solution of

 y = − x 2 + bx + 8

 y = 3x + a

 (a) [i.e. Find the coordinate(s) of the intersections of two graph.]

From the graph, x = 3 and y = 5
 (b) Sub (3, 5) into y = 3 x + a Find the suitable points on the graphs.
5 = 3(3) + a ⇒ a=-4
Sub (4, 0) into y = − x 2 + bx + 8
0 = -(4)2 + b(4) + 8 ⇒ b=2
 (c) From (b)
y = − x 2 + 2 x + 8 --- (1)
y = 3x − 4 --- (2)
sub (2) into (1)
3x − 4 = − x 2 + 2 x + 8
x 2 + x − 12 = 0
( x + 4 )( x – 3 ) = 0
x = - 4 or x = 3(rejected as one of the solution from (a)
Sub x = -4 into y = 3 x − 4 , y = - 16
∴ Another solution is x = - 4, y = - 16.

3.6 The Pro’s and Con’s of using Graphical Method

Pro’s
 1. It is efficient that the solution(s) can be read directly from the graph
2. All the equations can be solved graphically

Con’s
 1. The solution(s) obtained are approximation
2. Sometimes it is hard to find the suitable range of x or y

P. 11/12
Math Ch 3 Equations and Graphs S.4 / KC

3.7 Graphs of Different Functions

There are many kinds of functions and bare in mind of their shapes.
 Other examples

 Degree 3 polynomial
y = x3 − 4x 2 + 4x + 1

 Inverse Function
8
y= +3
x+4

 Exponential Function
y = 2x

 Trigonometric Function
y = sin ( x )

P. 12/12