CURVE SKETCHING

When the equation of the curve is unfamiliar, the

shape of the curve requires valid and extensive Horizontal asymptote
considerations. It’s impossible to study every shape The degree of the numerator and denominators are
of the curve but we can discuss those which occur the same
most frequently. For the horizontal asymptote
(1) Intercepts: These are points where the curve leading co - efficient of the numerator
crosses the coordinate axes y=
leading co - efficient of the denominator
(2) Stationary points: These are points on the 𝑥 1
curve at which the gradient of the curve is zero For the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥−2 𝑦 = 1= 1
𝑑𝑦 𝑥
(𝑑𝑥 = 0). In curve sketching the absence of The horizontal asymptote of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥−2 is 𝑦 =
1
stationary points is as important as their =1
1
presence. Alternatively: To obtain the horizontal asymptote
𝑥
of 𝑦 = 𝑥−2, we divide the numerator and
(3) Linear asymptotes of rational functions:
denominator by the highest power of x that appears
a x n  a x n 1  a1 x  a0
Given the curve y  n m n 1 m 1 in the denominator and then letting x 

bm x  bm 1 x  b1 x  b0 𝑥
The vertical asymptotes of y are the line 𝑥 = 𝑐 𝑦=
𝑥−2
where c is the set of roots of the equations 𝑥
bm xm  bm1 xm1  ...b1 x  b0  0 𝑦= 𝑥
𝑥 2
𝑥−𝑥
Note: For the vertical asymptotes, y  
1
(denominator = 0) 𝑦=
2
(i) If n < m, then y has a horizontal asymptote 𝑦 = 0 1−𝑥
a As x   , y = 1
(ii) if m = n then y has a horizontal asymptote y  n
bn
 y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
(iii) if n > m, then y has no horizontal asymptote
Example II
Given the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to find the horizontal Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes of the
asymptote (if any), we divide the numerator and the
3x 2  2 x  1
denominator by the highest power of 𝑥 that appears curve y  2
2 x  3x  2
in the denominator and then letting x 

Solution
Example 3x 2  2 x  1
y 2
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptote of the 2 x  3x  2
curve y 
x For the vertical asymptote y  
x2 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 2 = 0
Solution (2𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 2) = 0
x 1
y 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = −2
x2 2
Horizontal asymptote
For the vertical asymptote, the denominator is zero leading co-efficient of the numerator
( y  ) y  ±∞ )
leading co-efficient of the denominator
𝑥−2=0 3
x = 2 is a vertical asymptote 𝑦=
2

295
 3x 2  2 x  1 4 x2
Which can also be obtained from y  Find the vertical asymptotes of the curve y 
2 x 2  3x  2 x2  8
3𝑥 2 2𝑥 1 Solution
2 − 2 − 𝑥2
𝑦= 𝑥2 𝑥 4𝑥 2
2𝑥 3𝑥 2 𝑦=
+ 2− 2 𝑥2 + 8
𝑥2 𝑥 𝑥 For the vertical asymptotes y  
2 1 2
𝑥 +8=0
3−𝑥− 2
𝑦= 𝑥 4𝑥 2
3 2 The curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 +8 has no vertical asymptotes (since
2+𝑥− 2
𝑥 there are no real values of x for which x2 + 8 = 0.
3 For the horizontal asymptote, x  
 , y 
As x   4𝑥 2
2 𝑦= 2
3 3x 2  2 x  1 𝑥 +8
y is a horizontal asymptote of y  2 4𝑥 2
2 2 x  3x  2 2
Example II 𝑦 = 2𝑥
𝑥 8
Find the vertical and horizontal asymptote of the +
𝑥2 𝑥2
x2  4 x  4
curve y  2 4
9x  9x  2 𝑦=
8
Solution 1+
𝑥2
Horizontal asymptote As x 
 , y = 4
x2  4 x  4
y 2
9x  9x  2 4 x2
y = 4 is a horizontal asymptote of curve y 
2  2  2
x2 4x 4
x2  8
 9xx2 x9 x x2
x2
 x2  x2 Example IV
x 1
1  4x  4 Find the asymptotes of the curve y 
 x2
x( x  4)
9  9x  2
x2
Solution
1 For the vertical asymptotes y  
as x   y  
9 x(𝑥 + 4) = 0
1
 y  is a horizontal asymptote x = 0 and x = -4 are the vertical asymptote of the
9 x 1
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 curve y 
𝑦= 2 x( x  4)
9𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 2
x 1
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 Horizontal asymptote: y 
⇒𝑦= x( x  4)
(3𝑥 − 1)(3𝑥 − 2)
For the vertical asymptote y   x 1
y
x  4x2
 (3𝑥 − 1)(3𝑥 − 2) = 0
1 2 Note: The degree of the numerator is less than the
𝑥 = ,𝑥 = denominator (the rational fraction is proper)
3 3
The curve has a horizontal asymptote of y = 0.
x
1 and x  2 are the vertical asymptotes.
3 3 Alternatively:
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 𝑥+1
𝑦= 𝑦=
(3𝑥 − 1)(3𝑥 − 2) 𝑥(𝑥 + 4)
x 1
y 2
Example IV x  4x

358
 𝑥 1 3𝑥 − 9 −𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒
2 + 2
𝑦 = 𝑥2 𝑥 (x – 2)(x + 1) +𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒
𝑥 4 𝑦 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒
+
𝑥2 𝑥2
1 1 When y is positive, the curve lies above the x-axis
𝑥 + 𝑥2 and when y is negative, the curve lies below the x-
𝑦=
4
1+ 2 axis.
𝑥
As x  
The empty section of the curve can be represented.
As y  0
y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
x 1
y
x( x  1)

Slant Asymptotes
𝑃(𝑥)
If 𝑦 = 𝑄(𝑥) is a rational fraction in which the degree
of the numerator is greater than the degree of the
denominator, we use long division to find the
slanting asymptote of the curve.
𝑅(𝑥)
𝑦 = (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) +
𝑄(𝑥)
Where the degree of R is less than the degree of Q
and 𝑎 ≠ 0. This means that as x  
R( x) 𝑃(𝑥)
  0 ; so the graph 𝑦 = 𝑄(𝑥) approaches the
Q( x)
graph 𝑦 = (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏). In this situation, 𝑦 = (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)
is a slant asymptote.

4. Empty Sections of a Curve Region of restriction

These are regions where no part of the curve lies. It is a region of the graph where the curve doesn’t lie.
They can be adopted using the following method. We normally have a region of restriction if the curve
3𝑥 − 9 has a maximum and minimum point
𝑦= 2
𝑥 −𝑥−2 For example, if a curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) has a maximum
3𝑥 − 9 point (2, 1) and a minimum point (-1, 3).
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) Its implies that there is no curve in the interval
To find whether the curve lies above or below the x- 1
1 < 𝑦 < 3. If a curve has a maximum point (5, 3)
axis we equate the numerator and denominator to
and a minimum point (1, 3). It implies that there is no
zero 1
curve in the interval < 𝑦 < 3.
3
3𝑥 − 9 = 0 We can now find the region of restriction for the
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0 3x  9
curve y 
3𝑥 − 9 = 0 ( x  2)( x  1)
𝑥=3 3𝑥 − 9
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −1 𝑦[(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)] = 3𝑥 − 9
 x = -1, x = 2, x = 3 𝑦[𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2] = 3𝑥 − 9
𝑦𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 9
x < -1 -1 < x < 2 2 < x < 3 x > 3
𝑦𝑥 2 − (3 + 𝑦)𝑥 + 9 − 2𝑦 = 0

359
 B2 – 4AC ≥ 0
For real values of x (for the curve to be defined) Steps involved when sketching curves of
 (3 + 𝑦)2 − 4𝑦(9 − 2𝑦) > 0 rational functions:
9 + 6𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 36𝑦 + 8𝑦 2 > 0 (1) Find x and y intercepts
9𝑦 2 − 30𝑦 + 9 > 0 (2) Investigate the nature of stationary points
3𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 3 > 0 (3) Find the asymptotes of the curve vertical
3𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 3 > 0 slanting or horizontal.
Factors are -1, 9 and the product 9 (4) Determine where the curve lies either
3𝑦 2 − 𝑦 − 9𝑦 + 3 > 0 above or below the x- axis
𝑦(3𝑦 − 1) − 3(3𝑦 − 1) > 0 (5) Determine the region where the curve has
(𝑦 − 3)(3𝑦 − 1) > 0 got restrictions
1 (6) Sketch the curve
𝑦 = 3, 𝑦 =
3
1 1 <y<3 𝑦>3
𝑦< Example I
3 3
(𝑦 − 3) -ve -ve +ve 3x  9
Sketch the curve y 
(3𝑦 − 1) -ve +ve +ve  x  2  x  1
(y–3)(3y–1) +ve −ve +ve Solution
3𝑥 − 9
For real values of x, (𝑦 − 3)(3𝑦 − 1) must be 𝑦=
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)
positive Intercepts:
1
There is no curve on the interval < 𝑦 < 3. For the x- axis y = 0
3
We can now represent the empty section for the 3𝑥 − 9
⇒ =0
3x  9 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)
curve y  𝑥=3
( x  2)( x  1)
The curve cuts the y – axis at (3, 0)
For y – axis, x = 0
3× 0−9
𝑦=
(0 − 2)(0 + 1)
𝑦 = 4.5
The curve crosses the y – axis at (0, 4.5)
Stationary points of the curve:
3x  9
y 2
( x  x  2)
du dv
v u
u dy
y   dx 2 dx
v dx v
dy ( x  x  2)(3)  (3x  9)(2 x  1)
2
 
dx ( x 2  x  2)2
dy (3x 2  3x  6)  (6 x 2  3x  18 x  9)

dx ( x 2  x  2) 2
dy 3x 2  18 x  15

dx ( x 2  x  2)2
𝑑𝑦
At stationary point 𝑑𝑥 = 0
−3𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 − 15
=0
(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2)2

360
 −3𝑥 2 + 18𝑥 − 15 = 0 3𝑥 − 9
𝑦=
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5 = 0 (𝑥 2
− 𝑥 − 2)
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 1) = 0 3𝑥 9
2 − 𝑥2
𝑥 = 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 1 𝑦 = 2𝑥
For x = 1 𝑥 𝑥 2
− −
3x  9 𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2
y 3 9
x x2
2
𝑥 − 𝑥2
3 × 1−9 𝑦=
𝑦= 2 1 2
1 −1−2 1−𝑥− 2
𝑥
6
For x = 1, y   , y 
As x  0
2
y=3 𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
(1, 3) is a stationary point
3 × 5−9 3𝑥 − 9
For x = 5, 𝑦 = 𝑦=
52 −5−2 (𝑥 2− 𝑥 − 2)
6
𝑦= 3𝑥 − 9
18 𝑦=
1 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)
𝑦=
3
1
(5, 3 ) is a stationary point For the vertical asymptote y 
 ±∞

⇒ (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
Nature of stationary points:
L x=1 R x = 2 and x = -1 are vertical asymptotes of the curve
dy 3𝑥 − 9
𝑦= 2
dx (𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2)
L x=5 R
Empty Sections
3𝑥 − 9 = 0
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
1
(1, 3) is a minimum point of the curve and (5, 3 ) is a 𝑥 = 3, 𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −1
maximum point of the curve.
𝑥 < −1 -1<x<2 2<x<3 x>3
Since the curve has a maximum and minimum point, 3x – 9 -ve -ve -ve +ve
it implies that there is no curve in the region (x – 2)(x+1) +ve −𝑣𝑒 +ve +ve
1 y -ve +ve -ve +ve
 y  3 (to be proved at a later stage)
3 The negative value of y shows the curve lies below
the x-axis. The positive value shows that the curve
3x  9 lies above the x-axis.
Asymptotes of the curve y
( x  x  2)
2
3𝑥−9
Region of restriction 𝑦 = (𝑥−2)(𝑥+1)
a x n  a x n 1  a1 x  a0
For the curve, y  n m n 1 m 1
bm x  bm 1 x  b1 x  b0
𝑦(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 3𝑥 − 9
If n < m, the curve has a horizontal asymptote of y= 0 y(x2 – x – 2) = 3x – 9
𝑦𝑥 2 − 𝑦𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 9
3𝑥−9
Since 𝑦 = is a proper fraction, it implies that 𝑦𝑥 2 − (𝑦 + 3)𝑥 + 9 − 2𝑦 = 0
(𝑥 2 −𝑥−2)
it has a horizontal asymptote of y = 0 𝐵2 − 4𝐴𝐶 > 0
(For real values of x)
Alternatively, (𝑦 + 3)2 − 4𝑦(9 − 2𝑦) > 0
y2 + 6y + 9 – 36y + 8y2 > 0

361
 6𝑦 + 𝑦 2 − 36𝑦 + 8𝑦 2 > 0 x 2  3x
Stationary points of the curve y
9𝑦 2 − 30𝑦 + 9 > 0 x2  5x  4
3𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 3 > 0 dy ( x  5 x  4)  2 x  3  ( x  3 x )(2 x  5)
2 2

3𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 3 > 0 
dx ( x 2  5 x  4) 2
Factors are -1, 9 and the product 9
3𝑦 2 − 𝑦 − 9𝑦 + 3 > 0 𝑑𝑦 −2𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 12
=
𝑦(3𝑦 − 1) − 3(3𝑦 − 1) > 0 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4)2
(𝑦 − 3)(3𝑦 − 1) > 0 𝑑𝑦
1 At stationary point, 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝑦 = 3, 𝑦 =
3 −2𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 12 = 0
For the boundary conditions;
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 6 = 0
1 1
𝑦< <𝑦<3 −4 ± √16 − 4(1)6
3 3 𝑦>3
𝑥=
(𝑦 − 3) −𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 2
(3𝑦 − 1) −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 −4 ± √−8
(y – 3)(3y – 1) +𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 𝑥=
2
3x  9
We can now sketch the curve y  The curve has no stationary points
( x  2)( x  1) Asymptotes:
𝑥(𝑥 − 3)
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4)
For the vertical asymptotes y  
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) = 0
𝑥 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 4 are vertical asymptotes of the curve
𝑥(𝑥−3)
𝑦 = (𝑥−1)(𝑥−4)
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥
𝑦=
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4
1

x2−5x+4 x – 3x
2

x2 − 5x + 4
2x – 4

2𝑥 − 4
𝑦 =1+
𝑥2
− 5𝑥 + 4
Example II 2𝑥 4
𝑥(𝑥−3)
Sketch the curve 𝑦 = (𝑥−1)(𝑥−4) 2 − 𝑥2
𝑦 = 1 + 2𝑥
𝑥 5𝑥 4
Solution − +
𝑥2 𝑥2 𝑥2
𝑥(𝑥 − 3) 2 4
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) 𝑥 − 𝑥2
𝑦=1+
Intercepts 5 4
1−𝑥+ 2
For the x-axis y = 0 𝑥
𝑥(𝑥 − 3) = 0 As x   , y  1
𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 3 𝑦 = 1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
The curve cuts the x- axis at (0, 0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (3, 0)
For the y- axis, 𝑥 = 0 Does the curve cross the horizontal asymptote?
𝑦=0 𝑥 2 −3𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+4 , 𝑦 = 1 is a horizontal asymptote
The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 0)
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥
1=
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4

362
 𝑦𝑥 2 − 4𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 10
2 2
𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥 − 3𝑥 𝑦𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 10 − 4𝑦 = 0
2𝑥 = 4 For the real values of 𝑥
𝑥=2 𝐵2 − 4𝐴𝐶 > 0
∴ (2, 1) (−4)2 − 4(𝑦)(10 − 4𝑦) > 0
The curve crosses the horizontal asymptote at (2, 1) (−4)2 − 4𝑦(10 − 4𝑦) > 0
Empty sections: 16 − 40𝑦 + 16𝑦 2 > 0
𝑥(𝑥 − 3) 4𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 4 > 0
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) 2y2 – 5y + 2 > 0
𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 3, 𝑥 = 1, 𝑥 = 4 2(𝑦 − 2)(2𝑦 − 1) > 0
X<0 0<x<1 1<x<3 3<x<4 X > 4 (𝑦 − 2)(2𝑦 − 1) > 0
x(x – 3) +ve −ve −ve +ve +ve For the boundary conditions
(x–1)(x–4) +ve +ve −ve −ve +ve 1
𝑦 +ve −ve +ve −ve +ve 𝑦 = 2, 𝑦 =
2
The positive sign indicates that the curve lies above y< 1 1
<y<2 y > 2
2 2
the x-axis and the negative sign shows that the curve
y–2 −ve −ve +ve
lies above the x-axis.
2y – 1 −ve +ve +ve
x 2  3x (y-2)(2y-1) +ve −ve +ve
We can now sketch the curve y 
x2  5x  4 1
There is no curve in the region 2 < 𝑦 < 2
x( x  3) When a curve comes from up and reaches the line y =
Or y  2, it turns upwards and when the curve comes from
( x  1)( x  4) 1
downwards and reaches the line 𝑦 = it moves
2
downwards
1
At y = 2 we have a minimum point and at 𝑦 = , we
2
have a maximum point

y=2

1
𝑦=
2

Example III From

4 x  10 4𝑥 − 10
Given that y  2 𝑦=
x 4 𝑥2 − 4
(a) find the range of values where the curve doesn’t 4𝑥 − 10
2= 2
lie 𝑥 −4
(b) hence determine the stationary points of the curve 2𝑥 2 − 8 = 4𝑥 − 10
(c) state the equations of the three asymptotes of the 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 2 = 0
curve , sketch the curve 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 = 0
Solution (𝑥 − 1)2 = 0
4𝑥 − 10 𝑥=1
𝑦= 2
𝑥 −4 If x = 1, y = 2
𝑦(𝑥 2 − 4) = 4𝑥 − 10

363
(1, 2) is a point of minima For the x- intercepts y = 0.
4𝑥 − 10 0 = 4𝑥 − 10
𝑦= 2
𝑥 −4 𝑥 = 2.5
1 4𝑥 − 10 The curve cuts the x-axis at (2.5, 0)
= 2
2 𝑥 −4 For the y- intercept, x = 0
𝑥 2 − 4 = 8𝑥 − 20 −10
𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 16 = 0 𝑦=
−4
(𝑥 − 4)2 = 0 𝑦 = 2.5
𝑥=4 The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 2.5)
1
(4, 2) is a point of maxima
Asymptotes:
4𝑥 − 10
𝑦=
𝑥2 − 4
4𝑥 10
2 − 2
𝑦 = 𝑥2 𝑥
𝑥 4
−
𝑥2 𝑥2
4 10
𝑥 − 𝑥2
𝑦=
4
1− 2
𝑥
x   , y = 0
y = 0 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve
4𝑥 − 10
𝑦= 2 Example IV
𝑥 −4
2 x2  8
For the vertical asymptote, y   Sketch the curve y 
2x  5
 𝑥 −4=0
2
Solution
𝑥2 = 4
2𝑥 2 − 8
𝑥 = ±2 𝑦=
2𝑥 − 5
x = 2 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of the curve
Intercepts:
4𝑥 − 10
𝑦= 2 For the x- intercepts, y = 0
𝑥 −4 2𝑥 2 − 8
Whether the curve lies either above or below the 0=
x- axis: 2𝑥 − 5
4𝑥 − 10 2𝑥 2 − 8 = 0
𝑦= 2 𝑥2 = 4
𝑥 −4
4𝑥 − 10 = 0 𝑥 = ±2
𝑥 = 2.5 The curve cuts the x- axis at (2, 0) and (-2, 0)
2
𝑥 −4=0 For the y- intercepts, x = 0
−8
𝑥 =±2 𝑦= = 1.6
𝑥 < −2 −2 < 𝑥 2<𝑥 𝑥 > 2.5 −5
<2 < 2.5 The curve cuts the y- axis at (0, 1.6)
4x – 10 −𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 Asymptotes:
𝑥2 − 4 +𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 2𝑥 2 − 8
𝑦 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒 −𝑣𝑒 +𝑣𝑒
𝑦=
2𝑥 − 5
The positive sign indicates that the curve lies above For the vertical asymptote, y  
the x-axis and the negative sign shows that the curve 2𝑥 − 5 = 0
lies above the x-axis. 𝑥 = 2.5

Intercepts:

364
 x=1
𝑥 = 2.5 is a vertical asymptote of the curve L
dy
R
2𝑥 2 − 8 dx
𝑦=
2𝑥 − 5
x+
Since the curve has a maximum point at (1, 2) and
2x – 5 2x2 – 8 minimum point at (4, 8)
2x2 − 5x  There is no curve in the region 2 < 𝑦 < 8 where
5x – 8 the curve lies
5x – 25/2 Where the curve lies:
9/2 2𝑥 2 − 8 = 0
𝑦=
5 9/2 2𝑥 − 5 = 0
𝑦 = (𝑥 + ) + 2x2 – 8 = 0
2 2𝑥 − 5
⇒ 𝑥 = ±2
5 9/2𝑥 2x – 5 = 0
𝑦 = (𝑥 + ) +
2 5 ⇒ 𝑥 = 2.5
2−
𝑥
x < -2 -2 < x < 2 2 < x < 2.5 x > 2.5
5
As x   , y  x  2𝑥 2 − 8 +ve −ve +ve +ve
2
2𝑥 − 5 −ve −ve −ve −ve
5
y x is a slanting asymptote of the curve 𝑦 −ve +ve −ve +ve
2
2 x2  8
y
2x  5
Stationary points:
𝑑𝑦 (2𝑥 − 5). 4𝑥 − (2𝑥 2 − 8). 2
=
𝑑𝑥 (2𝑥 − 5)2
2
𝑑𝑦 4𝑥 − 20𝑥 + 16
=
𝑑𝑥 (2𝑥 − 5)2
𝑑𝑦
At stationary point 𝑑𝑥
=0
2
4𝑥 − 20𝑥 + 16 = 0
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 4 = 0
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 4) = 0
𝑥 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 4
If x = 4, y = 8
If x = 1, y = 2
(4, 8) and (1, 2) are stationary points of the curve
2𝑥 2 − 8
𝑦= Example V
2𝑥 − 5
Nature of stationary points Find the Cartesian equation of the curve
x=1 1 t
x
dy 1 t
L R
dx 2t 2
y
1 t
Hence sketch the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) where 𝑓(𝑥) is the
Cartesian equation of the curve
x=4 Solution
1 t 2t 2
x , y
1 t 1 t

365
 1 t 𝑥 = −1 is the vertical asymptote of the curve 𝑦 =
From x  𝑥 2 −2𝑥+1
1 t
𝑥+1
𝑥(1 − 𝑡) = 1 + 𝑡
x–3
𝑥 − 𝑥𝑡 = 1 + 𝑡
𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 x+1 x – 2x + 1
2

𝑥 − 1 = 𝑡(𝑥 + 1) x2 + x
𝑥−1 -3x + 1
𝑡= -3x – 3
𝑥+1 4
2t 2
y 4
1 t 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 3) +
𝑥−1 2 𝑥+1
2 (𝑥 + 1) 4
𝑦= 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 3) + 𝑥
𝑥−1 1
1 − (𝑥 + 1) 1+𝑥
2(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) As x   , y  x – 3
(𝑥 + 1)2 y = (x – 3) is the slanting asymptote
𝑦=
(𝑥 + 1) − (𝑥 − 1
( 𝑥+1 )
Stationary point:
𝑑𝑦 (𝑥 + 1)(2𝑥 − 2) − (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1)1
2(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) =
(𝑥 + 1)2 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 + 1)2
𝑦= 𝑑𝑦 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3
2 =
𝑥+1 𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 + 1)2
2
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 3 = 0
𝑦= (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1) = 0
𝑥+1
𝑥 = −3, 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 2 −2𝑥+1 If x = -3, y = -8
𝑦= 𝑥+1
is the Cartesian equation of the curve
If x = 1, y = 0
Intercepts: (-3, -8) and (1, 0) are stationary points
For x- intercepts y = 0 Nature of the stationary points:
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 x=1
=0 dy
𝑥+1 L
dx
R

(𝑥 − 1)2 = 0
𝑥=1
The curve cuts the x- axis at (1, 0)
(1, 0) is a point of minima
For the y- intercept x = 0 x=1
dy
1 L
dx
R
𝑦=
1
The curve cuts the y – axis at (0, 1)
Asymptotes :
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1
𝑦= (-3, -8) is a point of maxima
𝑥+1
For the vertical asymptote y   There is no curve in the interval -8 < y < 0
Where the curve lies:
𝑥+1=0
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 = 0
𝑥 = −1 𝑦=
𝑥+1=0

366
 𝑥=1 1
𝑥 = 2 is the vertical asymptote of the curve 𝑦 =
𝑥 = −1 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+5
x < -1 -1 < x < 1 x>1 2𝑥−1
x2 – 2x + 1 +ve +ve +ve
x+1 −ve +ve +ve
y −ve +ve +ve
2x − 1 x2 – 6x + 5
x2 −

9
𝑥 11 4
𝑦 =( − )+
2 4 2𝑥 + 1
9
𝑥 11 4𝑥
𝑦 =( − )+
2 4 1
2+𝑥
x 11
As x   ±∞, y   
2 4
x 11
 is the slanting asymptote of the curve
2 4
Stationary points.
Example V
dy (2 x  1)(2 x  6)  ( x 2  6 x  5)(2)
x2  6 x  5 
Sketch the curve y  dx (2 x  1) 2
2x  1
𝑑𝑦 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 4
Solution =
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5 𝑑𝑥 (2𝑥 − 1)2
𝑦= At a stationary point
2𝑥 − 1 𝑑𝑦
For the x- intercept; y = 0 =0
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5 𝑑𝑥
0= 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 4 = 0
2𝑥 − 1
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2 = 0
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5 = 0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 5) = 0
x = 1 and x = 5 𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −1
If x = 2, y = -1 and if x = -1, y = -4
 (1, 0) and (5, 0)
(2, -1) and (-1, -4) are stationary points.
The curve cuts the x- axis at(1, 0) and (5, 0)
x=2
For the y- axis, x = 0 dy
5 L R
dx
𝑦=
−1
The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, -5)
Asymptotes
(2, -1) is a point of minima
𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5 x=1
𝑦=
2𝑥 − 1 L
dy
R
For the vertical asymptote y   ±∞ dx

2𝑥 − 1 = 0
1
𝑥=
2

367
 (-1, -4) is a point of maxima. (3) If f(x) has a maximum turning point at a
There is no curve in the interval -4 < y < -1 1
given value if x, 𝑓(𝑥) has minimum turning
Where the curve lies:
point at that given value of x and vice versa
x2  6 x  5  0
y Example I
2x 1  0
𝑥 = 1, 𝑥 = 5 Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 4 + 3𝑥 − 𝑥 2 hence
1
1 sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥=
2 Solution
x < 1 1 <x <1 1 < x < 5 x > 5
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
2 2
x2–6x + 5 +ve +ve −ve +ve 𝑦 = 4 + 3𝑥 − 𝑥 2
2x - 1 −ve +ve +ve +ve 𝑑𝑦
= 3 − 2𝑥
y −ve +ve −ve +ve 𝑑𝑥
dy
At a stationary point, =0
dx
3 − 2𝑥 = 0
𝑥 = 1.5
When x = 1.5, y = 6.25
(1.5, 6.25) is a turning point
d2y
 2
dx 2
⇒ (1.5, 6.25) is a point of maxima

Intercepts:
For x–axis y = 0
0 = 4 + 3𝑥 − 𝑥 2
Reciprocal Curves 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4 = 0
x = 4 and x = -1
Consider the curves whose equations are 𝑦1 =
1 The curve cuts the x–axis at (4, 0) and (-1, 0)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦2 = 𝑓(𝑥). When the graph of the function 𝑦 = 4 + 3𝑥 − 𝑥 2
f(x) is familiar, the following simple properties For y – intercept, x = 0
provide the means to adapt the known graph of f(x)  y = 4 + 0 − 02 = 4
1
in order to sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, 4)

If the graph of f(x) is known, to sketch the graph

1
𝑓(𝑥)
the following steps are involved

1
(1) For a given value of x, f(x) and have the
𝑓(𝑥)
same sign when f(x) lies above the x–axis,
1
𝑓(𝑥)
lies above the x–axis and when f(x) lies
1
below the x–axis also 𝑓(𝑥) also lies below the x-
axis)
1
(2) If f(x) 
 0, 𝑓(𝑥) 
 ±∞ so that x–intercepts
1
became the vertical asymptotes of the curve 𝑓(𝑥) From the above information we can now sketch
1
the graph of 𝑓(𝑥), using the known graph of f(x).
Using the following properties

368
 1 −4 32
(1) For a given value of x, f(x) and 𝑓(𝑥)
have the ( ,
3 27
) is a stationary point
same sign. For x <-1, f(x) lies below the x – axis
1 Intercept:
implying that 𝑓(𝑥) also lies below the x – axis For the x–intercept, y = 0
For −1 < 𝑥 < 4 f(x) lies above the x–axis 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 2) = 0
1
⇒ also lies above the x- axis 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = −2
𝑓(𝑥)
The curve cuts the x – axis at (0, 0) and (-2, 0)
For x > 4, f(x) lies below the x– axis implying
1 For the y – axis, x = 0 and 𝑦 = 0
that also lies below the x– axis. The curve cuts the y–axis at (0, 0)
𝑓(𝑥)
At x = 1.5, f(x) has a maximum point at (1.5, We can now sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) =
6.25) 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 2).
1
⇒ 𝑓(𝑥) has minimum point at (1.5, 0.16)
1
If f(x) 
 0, 𝑓(𝑥) 
± ∞
x = 4 and x = -1 are the vertical asymptotes of
1
the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

For 𝑥 < −2, 𝑓(𝑥) lies below the x–axis implying

1
that 𝑓(𝑥) also lies below the x – axis
For −2 < 𝑥 < 0, f(x) lies above the x–axis
1
Example II implying that 𝑓(𝑥)also lies above the x – axis
Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 2) hence For 𝑥 > 0, 𝑓(𝑥) lies above the x – axis implying
1 1
sketch the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) that also lies above the x – axis
𝑓(𝑥)
Solution −4
2 (𝑥
At 𝑥 = 3
, 𝑓(𝑥) has a maximum point at
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2) −4 32
Let 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) ( 3 , 27 )
𝑑𝑦 At 𝑥 =
−4 1
,
−4 27
has a minimum point at ( 3 , 32 )
= 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 1
At a stationary point At (0, 0), 𝑓(𝑥) has a minimum point. 𝑓(𝑥)
has
𝑑𝑦 1 1
=0 maximum point (0, 0), ⇒ 𝑓(𝑥) has only one
𝑑𝑥
2 −4 27
3𝑥 + 4𝑥 = 0 turning with a minimum at ( 3 , 32 ) because the
1
𝑥(3𝑥 + 4) = 0 maximum point (0, 0) is not defined.
1
−4 When f(x) 
 0, 𝑓(𝑥) 
 ±∞
𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 =
3 x = 0 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of the
1
If x = 0, y = 0 curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
−4 32
If 𝑥 = 3
, 𝑦 = 27

369
 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥
𝑦=
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 6
6  4x
y 1 2 (By long division)
x  x6
6 4
𝑥 2−𝑥
𝑦=1−
1 6
1−𝑥− 2
𝑥
As x   , y  1
y = 1 is a horizontal asymptote of the curve 𝑦 =
𝑓(𝑥)
For vertical asymptote f(x)  
x –x –6=0
2

x = 3 and x = -2 are vertical asymptotes of f(x)

Example
𝑥(𝑥−5) Does the curve 𝒇(𝒙) cut the horizontal
Show that 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥−3)(𝑥+2) has no turning points. asymptote?
1
Sketch the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). If 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥
𝑦= 2
Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) on the same axes 𝑥 −𝑥−6
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥
Solution 1= 2
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 −𝑥−6
𝑥 − 𝑥 − 6 = 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥
2
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥
𝑦= 2 4𝑥 = 6
𝑥 −𝑥−6 𝑥 = 1.5
dy ( x 2  x  6)(2 x  5)  ( x 2  5 x)(2 x  1)
 The curve 𝑓(𝑥) cut the horizontal asymptote at
dx ( x 2  x  6) 2 (1.5, 1)
4𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 30 = 0 Where does the curve of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) lie.
2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 15 = 0
𝑥(𝑥 − 5)
6  62  4  2 15 𝑦= = 𝑓(𝑥)
x (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)
2 2 𝑥(𝑥 − 5) = 0
6 ± √−48 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) = 0
𝑥=
4 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 5, 𝑥 = 3, 𝑥 = −2
The curve has no turning point
x<-2 -2<x<0 0<x<3 3<x<5 x>5
Intercepts: x(x-5) +ve +ve −ve −ve +ve
For the x-intercept, y = 0 (x-3)(x+2) +ve −ve −ve +ve +ve
𝑥(𝑥 − 5)
=0 y +ve −ve +ve −ve +ve
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)
𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 5
The curve 𝑓(𝑥) cuts the x – axis at (0, 0) and (5,
0)
For the y – axis, x = 0
0
𝑦= , 𝑦=0
−6
The curve 𝑓(𝑥) cuts the y – axis at (0, 0)
Asymptotes
𝑥(𝑥 − 5)
𝑦=
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)

370
 1
We can now sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) using the known
graph of 𝑓(𝑥)
For 𝑥 < −2 the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) lies above the x – axis
implying that 𝑔(𝑥)lies above the x – axis
For −2 < 𝑥 < 0
𝑓(𝑥) lies below the x–axis implying that 𝑔(𝑥) also
lies below the x–axis
For 0 < 𝑥 < 3, 𝑓(𝑥) lies above the x–axis implying
that 𝑔(𝑥) also lies above the x – axis
For 3 < 𝑥 < 5, 𝑓(𝑥) lies below the x – axis, 𝑔(𝑥)also
lies below the x – axis
For 𝑥 > 5, 𝑓(𝑥) lies above the x – axis also 𝑔(𝑥) lies
above the x – axis
When f(x)  0
1
g(x) =  ±∞
f ( x)
( x  3)( x  2)
g(x) =
x( x  5)
1
 x = 0 and x = 5 are vertical asymptotes of
f ( x)

371