23

Graphs (2)

CHAPTER

23.1 Graphs of quadratic functions

All these expressions contain a letter squared.
They are called quadratic expressions, or quadratic functions.
The highest power in a quadratic expression is 2
All quadratic functions using the variable x can be written
in the form ax2
bx
c where a( 0), b and c represent
numbers. ax2
bx
c  0 is called a quadratic equation.
Graphs of quadratic functions can sometimes be used to
solve quadratic equations.

3 x2
x  7

x2
2

p  p2

x2  3 x
4

t2  4t  6

To draw the graph of a quadratic function a table of values can be used.

Example 1
y
10

Draw the graph of y  x2.

Use values of x from x  3 to x  3

Solution 1
When x  3,
When x  2,
When x  1,
When x  0,
When x  1,
When x  2,
When x  3,

y33
y22
y11
y00
y  (1)  (1)
y  (2)  (2)
y  (3)  (3)

9
4
1
0
1
4
9

y  x2
6
4
2

These results can be shown in a table of values.

x
y

3 2 1

9 4 1

3

2

1

O
2
4

The lowest point of this graph is where the graph turns. It is the origin (0, 0).
It is called the minimum point.

Example 2
a Complete this table of values for y  4  x2.

x
y

3 2 1
5

3

b Draw the graph of y  4  x2 from x  3 to x  3

c Write down the values of x where the graph crosses the x-axis.
380

3 x

23.1 Graphs of quadratic functions

Solution 2
a
i When x  3,
ii When x  2,
iii When x  0,
iv When x  2,

x
y

CHAPTER 23

y  4  x2
y433
 4  9 
5
y422
440
y400
4
y  4  (2)  (2)  4  4  0

3 2 1

3

5 0 3

5

y
8

6
4
2

x  2

3

2

y  4  x2

1

x2

3 x

2
4
6

c x  2 and x  2
The highest point of this graph is where the graph turns.
It is the point (0, 4).
It is called the maximum point.
Graphs of quadratic functions always look like

or

Example 3
a Complete this table of values for y  x2
x  6

x
y

4 3 2 1 0
6 0 4

6

3
6

b Draw the graph of y  x2
x  6 from x  4 to x  3.

c Write down the values of x where the graph crosses the x-axis.
d

i Draw the line of symmetry of your graph.

ii Write down the equation of this line of symmetry.

e Use your graph to find an estimate for the minimum value of y.

381

Graphs (2)

CHAPTER 23

Solution 3
a
i When x  2,
ii When x  1,
iii When x  1,

x
y

y  x2
x  6
y22
26
4
260
y11
16
 1
1  6 
4
y  (1)  (1)
(1)  6  1  1  6 
6

4 3 2 1 0 1

6 0 4
6 6
4

6
c x  3 and x  2
d ii The blue line is the line of
symmetry of the graph.
ii x  0.5
e Minimum value of y is 6.3

y
8

y  x2
x  6

x  3

4

3

2

x2

1

3 x

2
4
6

Exercise 23A
1 Here is a table of values for y  x2  1
a Draw the graph of y  x2  1 from
x  3 to x  3
b On the same grid draw the graph of y  x2  5

3 2 1 0

8 3 0 1

2 a Copy and complete this table of values for

x 3 2 1 0
y  2  x2.
y 7 2 1
b Draw the graph of y  2  x2 from
x  3 to x  3
c Write down the coordinates of the maximum point.
d Estimate the values of x where the graph crosses the x-axis.

2

3 a Copy and complete this table of values for

y  2x2.
b Draw the graph of y  2x2 from
x  3 to x  3

x
y

x
y

3 2 1

8

18

4 a Copy and complete this table of values for

x 3 2 1
y  x2  x.
y 12
2
b Draw the graph of y  x2  x from
x  3 to x  3
c Write down the values of x where the graph crosses the x-axis.
d i Draw the line of symmetry of your graph.
ii Write down the equation of this line of symmetry.
e Use your graph to find an estimate for the minimum value of y.
382

0
0

2

3
6

23.2 Using graphs of quadratic functions to solve equations

CHAPTER 23

5 a Copy and complete this table of values for

x 4 3 2 1 0
y  x2
2x  3
y 5 0 3
3
b Draw the graph of y  x2
2x  3 from
x  4 to x  2
c Write down the values of x where the graph crosses the x-axis.
d Write down the coordinates of the minimum point.

23.2 Using graphs of quadratic functions to solve equations

The grid shows the graph of y  x2
x  6
This graph can be used to solve the quadratic equation x2
x  6  0
y
8
6

y  x2
x  6

x  3

4

3

2

x2

1

3 x

2
4
6

The solutions of the equation x2
x  6  0 are the values of x where y  0, that is the values of x
where the graph crosses the x-axis.
From the graph, when y  0, x  3 and x  2

x  3 and x  2 are the solutions of the equation x2
x  6  0

Example 4

y
20

The diagram shows the graph of y  2x2  x  3

Use the graph to write down the solutions of
the equation 2x2  x  3  0

15

Solution 4
Comparing the equation
2x2  x  3  0
y  2x2  x  3
gives y  0
with the graph
From the graph, when y  0,
the values of x are 1 and 1.5
The solutions of the equation
2x2  x  3  0 are x  1 and x  1.5

10

y  2x 2  x  3

3

2

1

3 x

5
10

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Graphs (2)

CHAPTER 23

Example 5
The diagram shows the graph of y  6  x2.
a Use the graph to find estimates of the solutions to
the equation 6  x2  0
b i On the grid draw the graph of y  2
ii Write down the values of the x-coordinates of
the points where the two graphs cross.
c Use the graph of y  6  x2 to find estimates of
the solutions to the equation 6  x2  2

y
8
6

y  6  x2

4
2

3

2

1

3 x

2
4

Solution 5
a Comparing the equation 6  x2  0
y  6  x2
gives y  0
with the graph

y
8

From the graph, when y  0, the estimated

solutions are x 
2.4 and x  2.4

i The red line shows the graph of y  2

ii x 
2 and x  2

3

From the graph, when y  2, the estimated

solutions are x 
2.8 and x  2.8

y2

c Comparing the equation 6  x2  2

x 
2.4
y  6  x2
gives y  2
with the graph
The green line shows the graph of y  2

y  6  x2

x 
2
2

1

x 
2.8

x  2.4

x2
O

3 x

x  2.8

2

y  2

4

Exercise 23B
1 The diagram shows the graph of y  x2  x  2

y
10

Use the graph to write down the solutions

of the equation x2  x  2  0

y  x2  x  2

6
4
2

3

2

1

O
2

384

3 x

23.2 Using graphs of quadratic functions to solve equations

CHAPTER 23

2 a Draw the graph of y  x2 from x  3 to x  3

b i On the same axes, draw the graph of y  4
ii Write down the values of the x-coordinates of the points where the two graphs cross.
c Use the graph of y  x2 to find estimates of the solutions to the equation x2  7
3 The diagram shows the graph of y  2x2  3x.
a Use the graph to find the solutions of the equation
2x2  3x  0
b Use the graph to find the solutions to the equation
2x2  3x  5

y
10

y  2x 2  3x

8
6
4
2

2

1

3 x

2

4 The diagram shows the graph of y  8
3x  2x .

2

y
10

y  8
3x  2x 2

8
6
4
2

2

1

3 x

2
4
6

a Use the graph to find estimates of the solutions to the equation 8
3x  2x2  0
b Use the graph to find the solutions to the equation
8
3x  2x2  3
c Use the graph to find the solutions to the equation
8
3x  2x2  6
5 a Draw the graph of y  3
x  x2 from x  2 to x  3
b Use your graph to find
i an estimate for the maximum value of y
ii estimates of the solutions of the equation 3
x  x2  0
385

Graphs (2)

CHAPTER 23

23.3 Using graphs of quadratic and linear functions to solve

quadratic equations
y
10

y  x2
8

yx
2

6
4
2

3

2

1
x 
1

3 x

x2

The diagram shows the graphs of y  x2 and y  x
2

The graphs cross at two points.
The coordinates of these two points are (
1, 1) and (2, 4).
and y  x
2
These coordinates satisfy both equations y  x2
1  (
1)2 and 1 
1  2
4  (2)2 and 4  2  2

simultaneously because

Eliminating y from y  x2 and y  x
2 gives the equation x2  x
2 or x2  x  2  0

From the graph, the solutions of the quadratic equation x2  x  2  0 are x 
1 and x  2

Example 6
The diagram shows the graph of y  x2 .
y
10

y  x2
8
6
4
2

3

2

1

3 x

a By drawing suitable straight lines on this graph it is possible to solve the equations
ii x2  5x
6  0
i x2  2x
3 and
Find the equation of each straight line.
b By drawing a suitable straight line on this graph estimate the solutions of the equation x2
x  3
386

23.3 Using graphs of quadratic and linear functions to solve quadratic equations

Solution 6
a i Comparing
x2  2x
3
gives y  2x
3
with the graph y  x2

CHAPTER 23

The equation x2  2x
3 can be compared

directly with y  x2.

The equation of the required line is y  2x
3

The equation x2  5x
6  0 cannot be
directly compared with y  x2 so rearrange.

ii x2  5x
6  0 so x2  5x  6
Comparing
x2  5x  6
gives y  5x  6
with the graph y  x2

The equation x2  5x  6 can be compared

with y  x2.

The equation of the required line is y  5x  6

The equation x2
x  3 cannot be directly
compared with y  x2 so rearrange.

b x2
x  3 so x2  x
3

x2  x
3
y  x2
gives y  x
3

Comparing
with the graph

The equation x2  x
3 can be compared

with y  x2.
Draw the graph of y  x
3 by drawing a
line through the points (0, 3) and (3, 0).
x-coordinates of the points of intersection
of the line and curve give solutions of
x2
x  3

10

y  x2
8
6
4
2

3

2

1
x  2.3

y  x
3
O

2
x  1.3

3 x

x  2.3 and x  1.3

Read off the solutions.

Example 7
The diagram shows the graph of y  2x  x2 .
By drawing a suitable straight line on this graph
estimate the solutions of the equation
x2  4x
3  0

y
2

y  2x  x 2

1
2

1

O
1

4 x

2
3
4
5
6
7
8

387

Graphs (2)

CHAPTER 23

Solution 7

The equation x2  4x
3  0 cannot be directly compared with y  2x  x2

so rearrange.

x  4x
3  0
2

3  x2
4x

Subtract x2 from both sides and add 4x to both sides.

3  x2
2x
2x

Write 4x as 2x
2x since 2x is needed to compare with y  2x  x2.

2x
3  2x  x2

Subtract 2x from both sides and then rearrange.

Comparing
 2x
3  2x  x2
with the graph
y  2x  x2 gives y  2x
3
y
3

y  2x 

Draw the graph of y  2x
3 by drawing a

line through the points (0,3) and (1.5, 0).
x-coordinates of the points of intersection of the
line and curve give solutions of x2  4x
3  0

x2

1
2

1

O
1
2
3

The equation 2x x2  2x
3 can be

compared with y  2x  x2.

x1

4 x
x3

y  2 x
3

4
5
6
7
8

x  1 and x  3

Read off the solutions.

Exercise 23C
1 The diagram shows the graph of y  2x2  3x .

y
10

By drawing suitable straight lines on this graph

it is possible to solve the equations
a 2x2  3x  x
5
b 2x2  5x
1  0

y  2x 2  3x

8
6

Find the equation of each straight line.

4
2

2

1

O
2

2 a Draw the graph of y  x2 from x  3 to x  3

b On the same axes, draw the graph of y  x
6
c i Write down the x-coordinates of the two points where the graphs cross.
ii Hence find the quadratic equation whose solutions are these values.
388

3 x

23.3 Using graphs of quadratic and linear functions to solve quadratic equations

CHAPTER 23

3 By drawing suitable straight lines on the graph of y  x2, estimate the solutions of the equation
b x2
2x  1
c x2  3x
1  0
a x2  x
1
4 a Draw the graph of y  x2  2x from x  2 to x  4
b By drawing suitable straight lines on the graph, estimate the solutions of the equation
ii x2  x  3
i x2  2x  2x  1
5 a Draw the graph of y  5  2x2 from x  2 to x  2
b By drawing suitable straight lines on the graph, find the solutions of the equation
ii 4  2x  2x2  0
iii 2x2  x  3  0
i 5  2x2  x
2
6 a Draw the graph of y  x2
x  2 from x  3 to x  3.
b By drawing suitable straight lines on the graph estimate the solutions of the equation
ii x2
2x  2  0
iii x2  2x  1  0
i x2
x  2  x
5

Chapter summary
You should now know that:

a quadratic function is an expression that can be written in the form ax2
bx
c where
a( 0), b and c represent numbers. The highest power in a quadratic function is 2

to draw the graph of a quadratic function from a given equation and given values of x you
draw a table of values for calculated values of y
plot the points from the table of values
join the points with a smooth curve

the graph of a quadratic function has either a minimum point or a maximum point and
the minimum point is the lowest point and is where the graph turns
the maximum point is the highest point and is where the graph turns

all quadratic equations can be written in the form ax2
bx
c  0 where a( 0), b and c
represent numbers

x2
5x  0 is an example of a quadratic equation, which can be solved from the graph of

y  x2
5x by finding the values of x at the points where y  0, that is where the graph
crosses the x-axis

the points of intersections of the graphs of y  ax2
bx
c and the line y  mx
c can be
used to solve the equation ax2
bx
c  mx
c. For example to solve the equation
x2  3x
2  0 from the graph of y  x2 draw the graph of the line y  3x  2 and read off
the x-coordinates of the points where the graphs cross.

Chapter 23 review questions

1 a Copy and complete the table of values for y  x2
x.

x
y

3 2 1

6 2

b Draw the graph of y  x2
x from x  3 to x  3

(1388 November 2005)

389

Graphs (2)

CHAPTER 23

2 a Copy and complete this table of values for

x 3 2 1
y  6  x2.
y 3
b Draw the graph of y  6  x2 from
x  3 to x  3.
c Write down the coordinates of the maximum point.
d Estimate the values of x where the graph crosses the x-axis.

3 a Copy and complete this table of values for

x 2 1
y  x2  2x.
y
 3
b Draw the graph of y  x2  2x from
x  2 to x  3
c Write down the values of x where the graph crosses the x-axis.
d i Draw the line of symmetry of your graph.
ii Write down the equation of this line of symmetry.
e Use your graph to find an estimate for the minimum value of y.

3
3

4 a Copy and complete the table of values

x 2 1
0 1 2 3
4
for y  x2  3x  1
y

3 1 3
3
b Draw the graph of y  x2  3x  1 from
x  2 to x  4
(1388 March 2003)
c Use your graph to find an estimate for the minimum value of y.
y

5 The diagram shows the graph of the equation

y  2x2  4x  3
Use the graph to find the approximate values
of x when 2x2  4x  3  0

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
2

1

O
2

4 x

4
6
(1388 November 2005)

6 a Draw the graph of y  x2  x  4 Use values of x between 2 and
3

b Use your graph to write down an estimate for
i the minimum value of y
ii the solutions of the equation x2  x  4  0

(1385 June 1998)

7 By drawing the graph of y  x2
x  6, for values of x from 4 to
3

a write down the solutions of the equation x2
x  6  0
b write down an estimate for the solutions of the equation x2
x  6  1
8 a Copy and complete the table of values for
the graph of y  4x(11  2x)
b Draw the graph of y  4x(11  2x) from
x  0 to x  6
c Use your graph to find the maximum value of y.
390

x
y

0
0

3
60

 6
24

(1388 January 2004)

Chapter 23 review questions

9 a Copy and complete the table of values for

y  x2  6x
10
b Draw the graph of y  x2  6x
10 from
x  0 to x  6

CHAPTER 23

x
y

10

6
10

(1388 January 2005)

10 a Draw the graph of y  5
2x  x2 for 2  x  4

b By drawing a suitable straight line on your graph, find the approximate solutions
(1385 November 1997)
to x
4  5
2x  x2.
11 a Copy and complete the table for
x 2 1 0 1 2
3
4
y  x2  3x
1
y 11
1 1
1
5
b Draw the graph of y  x2  3x
1 from
x  2 to x  4
c Use your graph to find an estimate for the minimum value of y.
d Use a graphical method to find estimates of the solutions to the equation
x2  3x
1  2x  4
(1387 November 2003)
12 The graph shows part of the curve with equation
y  2x2  6x
3
a i Use the graph to find estimates of the solutions to
the equation 2x2  6x
3  0
ii Use the graph to find estimates of the solutions to
the equation 2x2  6x
2  0
b By drawing a clearly labelled straight line on the
resource sheet, find estimates of the solutions to the
equation 2x2  7x
5  0

y
4
3
2
1
O

4 x

1
2

391