MATHS WORKSHOP
FUNCTIONS
STRAIGHT LINE, PARABOLA AND
HYPERBOLA
8 – 10 APRIL 2022
ERRORS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
2b
➢ Use incorrect formula for calculating axis of symmetry for parabola e.g x = −
a
➢ Failure to find axis of symmetry when given 2 x-intercepts
➢ Candidates fail to find values of a, b and c when given f ( x) = ax 2 + bx + c
➢ Misunderstanding of decreasing and increasing function
➢ Writing notation and inequality signs incorrectly
➢ Incorrect equation of asymptotes for hyperbola e.g vertical asymptote = 1 or
p = 1 instead of x = 1
➢ Wrong sketched graphs and forgetting to label intercepts, TP and asymptotes,
➢ Wrong equation of the axis of symmetry for hyperbola, mostly use wrong gradient
➢ Failing to write domain and range correctly e.g y −5 instead of y −5
or y ¡ ; y = 1 instead of y ¡ ; y 1
➢ Incorrect interpretation of intersecting graphs
ERRORS AND MISCONCEPTIONS: POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
❖Teachers should pay attention to the concepts and definitions
a
❖ In hyperbola, start with the basic graph y = and develop the general hyperbola
a x
y= + q . This will enable learners to understand effects of a, p and q.
x+ p
❖Teachers need to illustrate how transformation influence the equation of a graph.
There should be a good understanding of how the graph changes when the equation
changes and vice versa.
❖Teach learners both formats of the equation of the parabola, namely y = a ( x + p ) + q
2
and y = ax 2 + bx + c . Also finding equation when given a graph.
❖Inequalities need to be taught properly as Paper 1 had inequalities in most questions.
STRAIGHT LINE
shape
a a0 a=0 a0 undefined
domain x¡ x¡ x¡
range y¡ y=q y¡
Increasing/ decreasing Increasing
decreasing
PARABOLA
SHAPE
for a 0 for a 0
Graph has maximum value Graph has minimum value
y = ax + q y = a ( x + p ) + q y = ax 2 + bx + c
2
y = ax 2 2
Y-intercept y=0 y=q y = a. p + q 2 y=c
Axis of
x=0 x=0 x = −p x=−
b
symmetry 2a
Turning ( 0;0 ) ( 0; q ) ( − p; q ) b 4ac − b 2
− ;
Point 2 a 4 a
Domain x¡ x¡ x¡ x¡
Range 4ac − b 2
y0 yq yq y
(a > 0) 4a
Range yq yq 4ac − b 2
y0 y
(a < 0) 4a
The roots/ x-intercepts are determined by letting y = 0 and solve for x.
FINDING EQUATION OF A GIVEN PARABOLA
• Given two roots and a point use y = a( x − x1 )( x − x2 )
y = a ( x + p) + q
2
• Given turning point and a point use
HYPERBOLA
SHAPE
a0 a0
Dotted lines represent asymptotes
a a a
y= y = +q y= +q
x x x+ p
Vertical x=0 x=0 x = −p
Asymptotes
Horizontal y=q y=q
y=0
Asymptotes
Axis of y = x y = x + q y = ( x + p) + q
symmetry
Domain x¡ ;x 0 x¡ ;x 0 x¡ ;x −p
Range y¡ ; y 0 y¡ ; y q y¡ ; y q
• For x-intercept, let y = 0 and solve for x.
• For y-intercept, let x = 0 and solve for y.
TRANSFORMATION OF GRAPHS
TRANSFORMATION EFFECT ON THE GRAPH VALUES AFFECTED
f ( x) + q Shift graph of f q units
Upward (vertical shift)
Only y values are affected
f ( x) − q Shift graph of f q units
downward (vertical shift)
Only y values are affected
f ( x + p) Shift graph of f p units to
Only x values are affected
the left (horizontal shift)
Shift graph of f p units to
f ( x − p) the right (horizontal shift)
Only x values are affected
Reflect graph of f about x-
− f ( x) axis or line y = 0. Only y values are affected
f (− x) Reflect graph of f about y-
axis or line x = 0. Only x values are affected
INTERSECTING GRAPHS
For which value(s) Point(s) or interval on the given graphs
of x is:
f ( x) = g ( x) x-coordinates of the point(s) of intersection.
f ( x) g ( x) Interval where the graph of f is above the graph of g.
f ( x) g ( x) Interval where the graph of f is below the graph of g.
f ( x).g ( x) 0 Interval where the graph of f and g are both above x-axis/ both below x-axis.
f ( x).g ( x) 0 Interval where the graph of f is above x-axis and graph of g is below x-axis or
vice-versa
For or remember to include critical value(s) in your interval unless critical
value(s) are the asymptotes.
Thank you very much
The end
