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Functions worksheet - Grade 11

Pinelands High School

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Abstract
A worksheet on functions

1 Functions  Grade 11
• Relationship between x and y.
• Given as a rule or an equation
• Notation: f(x) = ...
• Remember: If you know an x value you can get a y value from the formula and vice versa.

1.1 Basic Forms

f (x) = mx + q
Straight line:
Parabola:f (x) = ax2 + q
k
Hyperbola: f (x) = a + q
x
x
Exponential: f (x) = a · b + q

1.2 The eect of a and q

Lets look at the parabola to see what eect a and q have on graphs.

1.2.1 The eect of a

There are three cases:
Case 1: When a>1 (e.g. g (x) = 2x2 )
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Figure 1

We see from the graph that when we change a the graph gets wider.
Case 2: When 0<a<1 (e.g. g (x) = 12 x2 )

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Figure 2

We see that the graph gets narrower.

Case 3: a = −1 (e.g. g (x) = −x2 )

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Figure 3

We see that the graph gets reected in the x-axis.

From this you can explain the transformation of any a value.

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1.2.2 The eect of q

Figure 4

We see that q shifts the graph up or down on the y-axis.

1.3 Horizontal shifts

We have seen that the eect of adding q so that y = . . .. + q causes a vertical shift. If we add or
subtract something from formula y formula it logically causes a shift on the y-axis. It also then makes
sense that to move something horizontally along the x-axis, you should subtract or add something to the x
value in the formula. For example moving formula y = 3xformula by 1 unit horizontally is either formula
y = 3 (x − 1)formula or formula y = 3 (x + 1)formula depending on whether you move right or left.

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1.3.1 Moving LEFT and RIGHT:

If we have the graph formula y = 3x + 1formula, then the point (1;4) would be on the graph. If we were to
move the graph 2 units to the left, the coordinate would now be (-1;4). If we moved the graph 2 units to
the right the point would become (3;4). Draw these in on the graph below to convince yourself:

Figure 5

How could we alter the formula to move the graph 2 units left?
How could we alter the formula to move the graph 2 units right?

1.4 Graphs: Plotting and formulas

1.4.1 Straight line
Formula: y = mx + c
Plotting: Need 2 points  easiest are the intercepts. If it goes through (0 ; 0), you will need another
point!

1.4.2 Parabola
2
Formula: f (x) = ax2 + bx + c or f (x) = a(x − p) + q or y = a (x − x1 ) (x − x2 )
Plotting: You need the x-intercept(s), the y-intercept and the turning point. If there are no x-intercepts
then you will need one point on the graph.

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1.4.3 Hyperbola
k k
Formula: f (x) =
x or f (x) = a x−p + q
Plotting: Need shape, vertical asymptotes, horizontal asymptotes, y-intercept (if it exists), x-intercept
(if it exists) and one point on each arm of graph for shape.

1.4.4 Exponential
Formula: f (x) = a · bx + q or f (x) = a · bx−p + q
Plotting: Need shape, horizontal asymptote, x-intercept (if it exists), y-intercept and one other point to
help with shape.

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