F.
Cubic Functions
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑑
To sketch a cubic function you need:
The x- and y-intercepts
To find the y-intercept make x = 0.
And to find the x-intercepts (of which there are usually 3) make y = 0
and then factorise.
For example: 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
To find the y-intercept →
x = 0 ∴ 𝑓(0) = (0)3 − 2(0)2 − 5(0) + 6
y = 6 when x = 0
To find the x-intercept → y = 0.
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 0 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 (find a factor using your SHARP
= (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6) EL-W535 calculator in table
∴ −𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 = −2𝑥 2 mode.)
∴ 𝑥 2 = −𝑥 2
∴ = −1
= (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6) Now factorise trinomial
∴ (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 3) = 0
So the x-intercepts are (1; 0), (-2; 0) and (3; 0).
The Turning Points (also known as Stationary Points)
In a cubic function the maximum and minimum points or the turning
points of the graph have a gradient of zero. A cubic function always
has a maximum and a minimum so you are looking for two different
turning points.
In order to find the turning points you differentiate (by inspection)
the original cubic function and make it equal to zero. Then you solve
for x. Once you have found “x” you substitute it back into the
original equation to find the corresponding y-coordinate.
From the previous example:
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 0 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
∴ 𝑓 ′ (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 make equal to zero and solve for x.
∴ 0 = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5
You cannot factorise this equation so you use the formula:
− √ 2 −4
∴ 𝑥=
2
4 √42 −4(3)(−5)
∴𝑥= Simply substitute this into your
2(3)
∴ 𝑥 = 2,12 𝑟 𝑥 = −0,79 SHARP EL-W535 Calculator.
Now substitute these values back into the original equation to get
your matching y-coordinate:
∴ 𝑓 (2,12) = (2,12)3 − 2(2,12)2 − 5(2,12) + 6
= −4 06
(2,12; -4,06)
∴ 𝑓 (−0,79) = (−0,79)3 − 2(−0,79)2 − 5(−0,79) + 6
= 8,21
(-0,79; 8,21)
Shape of the graph.
Just as in other graphs – “a” determines the shape and slope of the
graph. If “a” is positive then the graph is generally increasing so it
will look like this:
If “a” is negative then the graph is generally decreasing so it will look
like this:
Point of Inflection
The point of inflection is the point where the gradient of the cubic
function changes from positive to negative OR negative to positive.
To find the point of inflection you derive the equation a second
time. Then set the 2nd derivative to zero and solve for x.
From the previous example:
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
∴ 𝑓 ′ (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 First derivative
′′ ( )
∴ 𝑓 𝑥 = 6𝑥 − 4 Second derivative
∴ 0 = 6𝑥 − 4
2
∴ =𝑥 The x-coordinate of the point of inflection.
3
To find the matching y-coordinate substitute the x-value back into
the original equation.
∴ 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
2 2 2 2
∴ 𝑓 ( ) = ( )3 − 2( )2 − 5 ( ) + 6
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
∴ 𝑓( ) = 2 ∴( 2 )
3 27 3 27
Activity 5.5
Draw the following graphs indicating clearly all turning points, intercepts
with the axes, and the point of inflection.
1. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 4
2. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 − 60
3. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 3 − 13𝑥 2 + 19𝑥 + 6
4. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 9
5. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 3 + 27𝑥 2 − 117𝑥 + 162
G. Tangents to a Cubic Function
A tangent is a straight line (y =mx +c) that touches the cubic function at a
certain point.
The tangent has the same gradient as the cubic function at that point.
In order to find the gradient of the tangent first derive the cubic function
and then substitute the x-coordinate of where the two graphs intercept
into the derivative.
If you are given the gradient of either the tangent or cubic function at a
certain point and asked to find the coordinate, you would derive the cubic
function and make it equal to the given gradient. Then solve for x.
Example 1:
Given the graph 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 3 + 27𝑥 2 − 117𝑥 + 162
Find the equation of the tangent that intercepts with the f(x) at
(4; -2).
First find the derivative of f(x) :
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 3 + 27𝑥 2 − 117𝑥 + 162
∴ 𝑓 ′ (𝑥 ) = −6𝑥 2 + 54𝑥 − 117
Now substitute x = 4 into the derivative to find the gradient:
∴ 𝑓 ′ (4) = −6(4)2 + 54(4) − 117
=3
Now that you have the gradient, substitute it into your straight-line
formula:
𝑦 = 3𝑥 + To find the y-intercept, substitute the
−2 = 3(4) + original co-ordinates into the straight-
−2 − 12 = line formula.
∴ = −14
Now write down your completed equation:
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 14
Example 2:
Given that the graph 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 − 60 intercepts a tangent
with a gradient of -1. Find the coordinates of this point of interception as
well as the equation of the tangent.
First derive f(x) and make it equal to the gradient → -1.
∴ 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 − 60
∴ 𝑓 ′ (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 17 = −1
3𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 16 = 0
(𝑥 + 4)(3𝑥 − 4) = 0
4
∴ 𝑥 = −4 𝑟 𝑥=
3
Now substitute these x’s into the original cubic function:
∴ 𝑓 (−4) = (−4)3 + 4(−4)2 − 17(−14) − 60
∴𝑦= 8
4 4 4 4
OR 𝑓 ( ) = ( )3 + 4( )2 − 17 ( ) − 60
3 3 3 3
5
∴ 𝑦 = −73
27
There are two sets of coordinates so there must be two different tangent
equations:
∴ 𝑦 = −1𝑥 + 𝑦 = −1𝑥 +
5
4
∴ 8 = −1(−4) + −73 = −1 ( ) +
27 3
5 4
8−4= −73 + =
27 3
23
4= −71 =
27
23
∴ 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 4 ∴ 𝑦 = −𝑥 − 71
27
Activity 5.6
1. Find the equation of the tangent to
a) 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −3𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 − 8 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2
b) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 2 − 17 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = −3
c) ℎ(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 7 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1
d) 𝑗(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 − 27 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 3
e) (𝑥 ) = −𝑥 3 + 5𝑥 − 12 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = −2
2. Find the equation of the tangent to the graph:
a) 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 3 − 17𝑥 + 3 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 10
2
b) 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 7𝑥 + 6 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = −7
3
c) ℎ(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 + 128 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 24
d) 𝑗(𝑥 ) = −𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 6 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = −8
e) (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 15 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = −11
