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Algebraic Functions

Table of contents
1. Functional Tables
2. Plotting and Drawing a curve
3. Roots of the equation
4. Gradient of the curve
5. Line of symmetry
6. Drawing a line
7. Roots of simultaneous equations
8. Translated curve
9. Area under a curve
10. Interpreting a curve

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FUNCTIONAL TABLES
To draw a curve you need to find the values of x and y. This is possible
when using a functional table which is used to find the corresponding
values of y given x-axis coordinate
We are going to use a standard question to demonstrate all the principles
in this ebook. Also note that the first concept that is tested on almost all
Functional graph question is to find the missing values in a given
functional table
QUESTION
The following is an incomplete table of values for the function
y = x(4 – x ).
x -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y p 0 3 4 q 0 -5

(a) Calculate the value of p [1]

(b) Calculate the value of q. [1]
Solution
To find the values of p and q we use the equation and substitute the
corresponding value of x into the equation. Also note that the values of p
and q are the values of y when x = -1 and when x = 3.
(a) Corresponding x-value of p is -1, therefore we substitutes -1 for
x into the equation
y=x(4–x)
p = -1 (4 – (-1)) = -1(5) = - 5

(b) y = x (4 – x)

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 q = 3 (4 – 3) = 3(1) = 3

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2. PLOTTING AND DRAWING
We now have our complete functional table and can use it to plot and
draw our points. This our complete Functional Table
x -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y -5 0 3 4 3 0 -5

Using a scale of 2cm to represent 1 unit x-axis and 2cm to represent 2

units on y – axis , lets now plot our graph…

You can see that I have plotted my points on the graph according to the
functional table given above. It’s now time to join the points by a
smooth curve.

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NB: Your curve must pass through all the plotted points as shown below

Done!!!
In the next chapter, we are going to look at how to locate the roots of the
equation on the graph.

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3. ROOTS OF THE EQUATION
You can be asked to write down the roots of the equation using the
graph.
The roots of the equation are the points where the curve cuts across the
x-axis. We only take the x-axis value and that will be the solution of the
equation.
If it is a quadratic function, there will be two roots since the curve cuts
the x-axis twice. If it’s a cubic function, the curve cuts the x-axis thrice
and this means there are three roots.
(a) Quadratic Function

Roots

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From the graph we drew in the last chapter, the solution of the equation
is
x = 0 and x = 4

(b) Cubic Function

A cubic function will have 3 roots of the equation and the curve cuts
across the x-axis thrice as shown.

Roots

The solution for this graph will be

x = 0, x = 2 or x = 4

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 (c) Twice Roots
If the curve does not cut across but touches the x-axis, it has a twice
root.

Roots

In this case, the solution of the equation will be

x = 2 twice

These are the three cases you are likely to meet in an exam. Its
imperative that you master the concepts and know where to find roots in
each of these cases.

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4. GRADIENT OF THE CURVE
In this section we want to find the gradient of the curve at a given point.
For simplicity sake lets continue with the question we used in the first
chapter. The function was y = x(4 – x)
This was part (c) of the question
(c.) Use the graph in b(i) to find the gradient of the curve when
x = 3. [2]
NB: Draw a tangent on the curve at the point where x = 3 and then
calculate the gradient of that tangent. The gradient of the tangent is equal
to the gradient of the curve at any given point

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Now, we have to calculate the gradient of the tangent. We can pick any
two points where the line passes through.
Let me use the point of tangency (3;3) and another point (4:1).

m= = = -2

Therefore, the gradient of the curve at the point where x = 3 is -2

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 5. Line of symmetry
A line of symmetry is a line that divides a shape into two identical parts.
For example a circle can be divided into two identical semi circle. This
means a diameter is a line of symmetry.
The same applies to functional graphs. They can be U shaped of n-
shaped and can have a line of symmetry.
Let’s continue with our question from the first chapter.
To find the line of symmetry, take two points where the curve cuts
across x-axis (roots) and find a midpoint. In this case we will take
x = 0 and x = 4.

Therefore our midpoint is x = =2

This means the equation of the line of symmetry is x = 2. You must

therefore draw the line x = 2 as shown in the following diagram

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You can see that my line of symmetry divides the curve into two
identical parts.
Now let’s move on to another concept under Algebraic Functions. For
video explanations Download Our Android App, The Figtree App or
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 Drawing a line
In almost all algebraic questions, you can be asked to draw a straight
line or find a solution to a given equation (simultaneous) using the
graph. You must be able to use the coordinate geometry principles to
draw a straight line.
It’s advisable to use the table of values given in the question.
In this question, you were required to draw the line y = x. We are going
to use the table of values to find the coordinates of the line, at least two.
y=x
x -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

You can notice that the values used for x (dependent variable) are the
same with those used for the curve.
Let’s now plot and draw our line on the same graph with the curve

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Remember to label your line and curve with respective equations as
shown above.
This curve and the line will be used to solve simultaneous equation in
the next chapter.

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 6. Roots of simultaneous equations
The roots of the simultaneous equations are the coordinates of points
where the two curves or a curve and a line intersect. You can be tested in
different ways but they usually require candidates to find the solution of
the equation (in this case)
x(4-x) = x.
This equation is solved using your graph but neither by calculations nor
using quadratic formula. You must have two curves y = x(4-x) and y = x

By using the graph, the solution for the equation is

x = 0 or x = 3 (Take x-values )

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 7. Translated curve
In other questions on functional graphs you can be required to find
solution of the equation but equal to a given value.
In the previous chapters we learnt that the roots of the equation on a
functional graph is found where the curve cuts the x-axis if it equals zero
In this case roots of x(4 – x) = 0 is found where the curve cuts the x-axis
and the solutions are x = 0 or x = 4.
You can be required to use your graph to find the solution for
x(4 – x) = 3.
This one is found by drawing the line y = 3 and take the x-values of the
points where the line cuts the curve (as shown below)

Therefore the solution of the equation, using my graph is

x = 1 or x = 3

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 8. Area under a curve
In this question, the last part was to find the area bounded by the curve
y = x(4 – x) and the line y = x
the area must be inside the region specified and you must be able to
identify it. Shade the region and then calculate the area of the squares in
the region bounded by the line and the curve.
Each large square area = (1 × 2) cm = 2 cm2
NB: You take the value of each side on the x-axis and y-axis. Check the
axis labels
The next step will be to estimate how many small squares (2mm2) are in
the region. In the 2cm square there are 100 small squares.
Try to estimate number of small squares in the shaded region below

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My estimate was 200 small squares which is equal to 2 large (2cm)
squares.
You then multiply by the value of each squares by the number of
available squares.
2 large squares × 2cm2 = 4 cm2 (area)

Also note that the value of each square differs with your scale. Use your
scale to calculate the area of each large square.
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 9. Velocity Functions
Velocity functions are part of functional graphs and almost the same
with quadratic graphs except few differences in terminology used.
Also Note that its different from Speed Time graphs that are usually
tested in paper 1.
These are some of the things to note
(a) y – axis : Velocity Axis
(b) x – axis: Time Axis
(c) gradient: is acceleration
(d) Area : distance covered

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android app called Figtree App

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 10. Interpreting a curve
You can be given a already drawn curve and be required to calculate
gradient, find roots, area bounded by the curve, translate or find
maximum or minimum points of the curve.
This is what we have been learning throughout this eBook.
Use all the principles to interpret the curve. For revision sake, I will put
an exercise on that and expected answers.

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EXERCISE

The diagram shows the graph of the function y = x2 – 2x – 1. Use the

graph to find
a) The roots of the equation x2 – 2x – 1 = 0.
b) The minimum value of x2 – 2x – 1.
c) The equation of the line of symmetry
d) The area bounded by the curve, the x-axis, the y-axis and the line
x=2.

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Thank You For Downloading Our Ebook
For more ebooks on Transformations, Vectors, Sets, Circle Geometry
and Variations contact the Author
Admire Chatsakarira
WhatsApp +263 733 796 118
adchakara@gmail.com
Website adchakara.com

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