DIFFERENTIATION & FUNCTIONS (Q 6, 7 & 8, PAPER 1)
LESSON NO. 12: QUADRATIC GRAPHS
2006
6 (c) Let f ( x) = 3 + 8 x − 2 x 2 , x ∈ R.
(i) Find the co-ordinates of the point at which the curve y = f (x) cuts the y-axis.
(ii) Find the value of x for which f (x) is a maximum.
(iii) For what range of values of x is f ′( x) > 4 ?
SOLUTION
6 (c) (i)
f ( x) = 3 + 8 x − 2 x 2 Graph cuts y axis: Put x = 0.
⇒ f ( x) = 3 + 8(0) − 2(0) 2 = 3
The graph cuts the y-axis at (0, 3).
6 (c) (ii)
f ( x) = 3 + 8 x − 2 x 2
dy
⇒ f ′( x) = 0 + 8 − 2 × 2 x Turning Point ⇒ =0 ....... 6
dx
⇒ f ′( x) = 8 − 4 x
To find the value of x of the turning point which you To find the turning points set
are told is a maximum, put f ′( x) = 0. dy
= 0 and solve for x.
f ′( x) = 0 ⇒ 8 − 4 x = 0 dx
⇒ 2− x = 0
⇒x=2
6 (c) (iii)
f ′( x) > 0 ⇒ 8 − 4 x > 4
⇒ 2− x >1
⇒ − x > −1 [Multiply across by a negative number. Remember to reverse the inequality.]
⇒ x <1
2003
6 (c) Let f ( x) = 3 − 5 x − 2 x 2 , x ∈ R.
(i) Find f ′( x), the derivative of f (x), and hence find the co-ordinates of the
local maximum point of the curve y = f (x).
(ii) Solve the equation f (x) = 0.
(iii) Use your answers from parts (i) and (ii) to sketch the graph of
f : x → 3 − 5 x − 2 x 2, showing scaled and labelled axes.
SOLUTION
6 (c) (i)
STEPS FOR FINDING THE LOCAL MAXIMUM AND LOCAL MINIMUM OF A FUNCTION:
STEPS
dy d2y
1. Differentiate the function to find . Differentiate again to find .
dx dx 2
dy
2. Set = 0 and solve for x to find the turning points.
dx
d2y
3. Substitute the turning points into to decide if they are a local
dx 2
maximum or a local minimum.
4. Find the y coordinates of the turning points by substituting the x values
back into the equation of the original function.
1. y = f ( x) = 3 − 5 x − 2 x 2
dy
= f ′( x) = −5 − 4 x
dx
d2y
= f ′′( x) = −4
dx 2
dy
2. = 0 ⇒ −5 − 4 x = 0
dx
⇒ −5 = 4 x
∴ x = − 54
3. You are told that this point is a maximum.
4. y = f (− 54 ) = 3 − 5(− 54 ) − 2(− 54 ) 2
= 3 + 254 − 2( 16
25
) = 3 + 254 − 258 = 49
8 ⇒ (− 54 , 49
8 ) is the local maximum.
6 (c) (ii)
f ( x) = 0 ⇒ 3 − 5 x − 2 x 2 = 0
⇒ 2 x2 + 5x − 3 = 0
Graph cuts x-axis: Put f (x) = 0.
⇒ (2 x − 1)( x + 3) = 0
⇒ x = −3, 1
2 CONT....
6 (c) (iii)
From part (i) you have found out the coordinates of the local maximum: (− 54 , 49
8 )
From part (ii) you have found out where the graph cuts the x-axis: (−3, 0), ( 12 , 0)
Draw the quadratic graph using these points.
f (x)
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-3 -2 -1 1
1996
6 (b) Let g ( x) = x 2 + bx + c, x ∈ R.
The solutions of g(x) = 0 are symmetrical about the line x = 1.
If x = −3 is one solution of g(x) = 0, find the other solution.
Find the value of b and the value of c.
SOLUTION
g ( x) = x 2 + bx + c is a quadratic graph as shown to the right.
The line x = 1 is its axis of symmetry. g(x)
−3 is a solution (root) which is a place where the graph 4 4
cuts the x-axis. x
-3 1 5
You can see from the diagram that the other solution is x = 5.
If you substitute solutions for x in the function g(x), you get
zero.
x = −3 : g (−3) = (−3) 2 + b(−3) + c = 0 ⇒ 9 − 3b + c = 0
∴−3b + c = −9....(1)
x = 5 : g (5) = (5) 2 + b(5) + c = 0 ⇒ 25 + 5b + c = 0
∴ 5b + c = −25....(2)
Solve equation (1) and (2) simultaneously.
−3b + c = −9....(1)(× − 1) 3b − c = 9
5b + c = −25..(2)
→ 5b + c = −25
8b = −16 ⇒ b = −2
Substitute this value of b into Eqn. (2).
5(−2) + c = −25 ⇒ −10 + c = −25 ⇒ c = −15
