Section 1.

5 • Analyzing Graphs of Functions 17

Name______________________________________________
Section 1.5 Analyzing Graphs of Functions

Objective: In this lesson you learned how to analyze graphs of

functions.

Important Vocabulary Define each term or concept.

Graph of a function The collection of ordered pairs (x, f(x)) such that x is in the
domain of f.
Even function A function y = f(x) is even if, for each x in the domain of f,
f(– x) = f(x).
Odd function A function y = f(x) is odd if, for each x in the domain of f,
f(– x) = – f(x).

I. The Graph of a Function (Pages 54−55) What you should learn

How to use the Vertical
To find the domain of a function from its graph, . . . examine Line Test for functions
the graph to see for which x-values the graph is plotted.

To find the range of a function from its graph, . . . examine the

graph to see for which y-values the graph is plotted.

The Vertical Line Test for functions states that. . . a set of

points in a coordinate plane is the graph of y as a function of x if
and only if no vertical line intersects the graph at more than one
point.

Example 1: Decide whether each graph represents y as a

function of x.
(a) (b)
y y
5 5

3 3

1 1

x x
-5 -3 -1-1 1 3 5 -5 -3 -1-1 1 3 5

-3 -3

-5 -5
(a) Yes, represents a function (b) No, does not represent a function

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18 Chapter 1 • Functions and Their Graphs

II. Zeros of a Function (Page 56)

What you should learn
How to find the zeros of
If the graph of a function of x has an x-intercept at (a, 0), then a
functions
is a zero of the function.

The zeros of a function f of x are . . . the x-values for

which f(x) = 0.

To find the zeros of a function, . . . set the function equal to

zero and solve for the independent variable.

Example 2: Find the zeros of the function

f ( x) = 4 x 2 + 19 x − 5 .
The zeros are − 5 and 1/4.

III. Increasing and Decreasing Functions (Pages 57−58) What you should learn
How to determine
A function f is increasing on an interval if, for any x1 and x2 in intervals on which
the interval, . . . x1 < x2 implies f(x1) < f(x2). functions are increasing
or decreasing and
A function f is decreasing on an interval if, for any x1 and x2 in determine relative
the interval, . . . x1 < x2 implies f(x1) > f(x2). maximum and relative
minimum values of
A function f is constant on an interval if, for any x1 and x2 in the functions
interval,. . . f(x1) = f(x2).

A function value f(a) is called a relative minimum of f if . . .

there exists an interval (x1, x2) that contains a such that
x1 < x < x2 implies f(a) ≤ f(x).

A function value f(a) is called a relative maximum of f if . . .

there exists an interval (x1, x2) that contains a such that
x1 < x < x2 implies f(a) ≥ f(x).

To approximate the relative minimum or maximum of a function

using a graphing utility, . . . use the zoom and trace features or
the minimum feature to estimate the lowest or highest point on
the graph, OR use the table feature to approximate numerically
the relative minimum or maximum.

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

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 Section 1.5 • Analyzing Graphs of Functions 19
Name______________________________________________
IV. Average Rate of Change (Page 59) What you should learn
How to determine the
For a nonlinear graph whose slope changes at each point, the average rate of change of
average rate of change between any two points is . . . the a function
slope of the line through the two points.

The line through the two points is called the

secant line , and the slope of this line is denoted as
msec .

Let (a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)) be two points on the graph of a
nonlinear function f. The average rate of change of f from a to b
is given by:

[f(b) − f(a)]/(b − a) = (change in y)/(change in x)

V. Even and Odd Functions (Page 60) What you should learn
How to identify even and
A function whose graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis odd functions
is a(n) even function. A function whose graph is
symmetric with respect to the origin is a(n) odd
function.

Can the graph of a nonzero function be symmetric with respect

to the x-axis? No

Example 3: Decide whether the function f ( x) = 4 x 2 − 3x + 1

is even, odd, or neither.
Neither

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20 Chapter 1 • Functions and Their Graphs

Additional notes

y y y

x x x

y y y

x x x

Homework Assignment

Page(s)

Exercises

Larson/Hostetler Precalculus/Precalculus with Limits Notetaking Guide IAE

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