1.

Functions

understand the terms: function, domain, range (image set), one-one function, inverse
function and composition of functions
use the notation 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥, 𝑓: 𝑥 ↦ 𝑙𝑔 𝑥, (𝑥 > 0), 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) and 𝑓 2 (𝑥) [=
𝑓(𝑓(𝑥))]
Function Notation
e.g. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥
e.g. 𝑓: 𝑥 ↦ 𝑙𝑔 𝑥
One-one function
function with no 2 points have the same y-coordinate
Can be tested with the horizontal line test
draw a horizontal line and move it across
a function is one-one is the line does not touch two point on the curve at
once
explain in words why a given function does not have an inverse
find the inverse of a one-one function
use sketch graphs to show the relationship between a function and its inverse
Inverse function
𝑥 and 𝑦 value exchanges when 𝑓(𝑥) become 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)
The domain and range exchanges
Notation - 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)
A function has an inverse when it is one-one
Finding the inverse function

Figure 1

Graph between function and its inverse (Figure 1)

The inverse function is the reflection of the function in 𝑦 = 𝑥
form composite functions
 Composition of Functions
Notation
When plugging 𝑔(𝑥) into 𝑓(𝑥) – 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) or 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))
When plugging 𝑓(𝑥) into 𝑓(𝑥) - 𝑓 2 (𝑥) or 𝑓(𝑓(𝑥))
For fg(k) and k is a given value, first calculate g(k), and then plug the result of g(k)
into f(x)

why a given function is a function – one x value only corresponds to one y

Domain and Range
Domain Range
set of values of x set of values of y
Notation e.g. (𝑥 > 0) Notation e.g. (𝑦 > 0)
understand the relationship between 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑦 = |𝑓(𝑥)|, where 𝑓(𝑥) may
be linear, quadratic or trigonometric
Modulo functions
Notation: 𝑦 = |𝑓(𝑥)|
any part of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) below the x axis is reflected
upwards
2. Quadratic Function

solve quadratic equations for real roots

Solving quadratic equations for real roots
By factorizing
1. Rearrange the equation so one side is zero
2. Factorize into the form (𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏)(𝑐𝑥 − 𝑑) (a,b,c and d is constants)
3. Solve the 2 (or 1) linear equation 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏 = 0 and 𝑐𝑥 − 𝑑 = 0
By completing the square
1. Put the constant at the right of the equal sign
2. If the coefficient of 𝑥 2 is not 1, divide through to make it 1

coefficient of 𝑥 2
3. Find and add the square number (= ) to both sides
2

4. Complete the square

5. Square root both sides and solve
NOTE: when square rooting both sides, make sure
RHS have ±
By the Quadratic formula
Arrange the equation into the form 𝑎𝑥 2 +
𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

−𝑏±√∆
𝑥= , where ∆ (discriminant) = 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 (This will be provided
2𝑎

on formula sheet)
NOTE: do not divide each side by x
find the maximum or minimum value of the quadratic function 𝑓: 𝑥 ↦ 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
by any method
Maximum and minimum values
1. Find the vertex of the parabola
a) Method 1
i. Arrange the function into the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
𝑏
ii. The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = − 2𝑎 : Therefore, the vertex is
 𝑏 𝑏
(− , 𝑓(− ))
2𝑎 2𝑎
b) Method 2
i. Find the two roots – 𝑝 and 𝑞
𝑝+𝑞
ii. The axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = : Therefore, the vertex is
2

𝑝+𝑞 𝑝+𝑞
( , 𝑓( ))
2 2
c) Method 3
i. Arrange into the form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 by by completing the
square
ii. The vertex is (ℎ, 𝑘)
2. Determine if the vertex is the maximum or minimum
a) Arrange the function into the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
b) If 𝑎 > 0 then it is a minimum, if 𝑎 < 0 then it is a maximum
use the maximum or minimum value of 𝑓(𝑥) to sketch the graph or determine the
range for a given domain
Sketching the graph of quadratic function
1. For 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑏)2 + 𝑐, 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑏)(𝑥 + 𝑐), 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐:

2. Find the x-intercept (the roots) by finding 𝑥 for 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

3. Find the y-intercept by finding the value of 𝑓(0)
4. Find the vertex
5. Pinpoint the important points – intercepts and vertex
6. Draw using the fact that the graph of quadratic function is always symmetric
7. Label the axis
MARKING: 1 point for correct shape + max/min in correct quadrant; 1 mark
for labeling all the intercept
Determining the range
If the vertex is a maximum: 𝑦 < (𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑥)
 If the vertex is a minimum: 𝑦 > (𝑦 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑥)
Discriminant
know the conditions for 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 to have (i) two real roots, (ii) two equal roots, (iii) no
real roots
conditions of root for 𝑓(𝑥) = 0
1. Rearrange into the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
2. Find ∆
∆ CONDITIONS OF ROOT FOR 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟎
>𝟎 two real roots
=𝟎 two equal roots
<𝟎 no real roots
related conditions for a given line to
(i) intersect a given curve, (ii) be a tangent to a given curve, (iii) not intersect a given
curve
related conditions for a given line to (i) intersect a given curve, (ii) be a
tangent to a given curve, (iii) not intersect a given curve
1. Substitute the function of the line into the quadratic function
2. Rearrange into the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
3. Find ∆
∆ CONDITIONS
>𝟎 The line intersects a given curve
=𝟎 The line is a tangent to the given curve
<𝟎 The line did not intersect the curve

find the solution set for quadratic inequalities

Solving quadratic inequalities
1. Solve for x
2. Sketch a graph
3. Determine the values according to the graph
3. Equations, inequalities and graphs

solve graphically or algebraically equations of the type |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| = 𝑐(𝑐 ⩾ 0)

and |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| = |𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑|
Solving modulo equations
Graphically
1. Graph both side of the equal sign (e.g. graph 𝑦 = |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| and 𝑦 = 𝑐
for the equation |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| = 𝑐 )
2. the point(s) of intersection is the solution
Algebraically
When on one side the modulo sign is removed, a ± has to be added to
the other side
𝐼𝑓 |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| = 𝑐
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = ±𝑐
When removing modulo on both sides, only one ± has to be added
𝐼𝑓 |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| = |𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑|
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = ±(𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑) 𝑜𝑟 ± (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) = 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑
solve graphically or algebraically inequalities of the type |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| > 𝑐(𝑐 ⩾ 0),
|𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| ⩽ 𝑐(𝑐 > 0) and |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| ⩽ |𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑|
Solving modulo inequalities
Graphically
Draw each side of the equation
(e.g. for |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| ⩽ |𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑|, draw 𝑦 = |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏|, and 𝑦 =
|𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 | on the same axis, and parts of the 𝑦 = |𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏| graph
under 𝑦 = |𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑| is the solution)
Algebraically - Follow the same when solving modulo equations – expect the
sign need to change direction (e.g. < 𝑡𝑜 >, ≥ 𝑡𝑜 ≤) when both sides is
divided by a negative number
sketch the graphs of cubic polynomials and their moduli, when given in factorised form
𝑦 = 𝑘(𝑥 – 𝑎)(𝑥 – 𝑏)(𝑥 – 𝑐)
Graphing Cubic polynomials in form 𝑦 = 𝑘(𝑥 – 𝑎)(𝑥 – 𝑏)(𝑥 – 𝑐)
1. Find the x-intercept (root): x=a, x=b, x=c
 2. Find the y intercept by substituting 0 for x
3. 𝑘
k>0 k<0

k affects the expansion vertically – do not affect x-intercept

4. For 𝑦 = 𝑘(𝑥 − 𝑎)2 (𝑥 − 𝑏)
Curve will touch the x-axis at 𝑥 = 𝑎, and cut the
curve at 𝑥 = 𝑏
5. For 𝑦 = 𝑘(𝑥 − 𝑎)3
Curve will meet the curve at x=a:

solve cubic inequalities in the form 𝑘(𝑥 – 𝑎)(𝑥 – 𝑏)(𝑥 – 𝑐) ⩽ 𝑑 graphically

Solving cubic inequalities in the form 𝑘(𝑥 – 𝑎)(𝑥 – 𝑏)(𝑥 – 𝑐) ⩽ 𝑑 by graphing
1. Graph the cubic curve
2. Graph the line y=d
3. Any part of the curve that is under the line x=d is the solution of the
inequality
use substitution to form and solve a quadratic equation in order to solve a related
equation
Problem solving with Quadratics
1. Translate the words to algebraic equation, define what x is
2. Solve the equation
3. Check if the results are practical (e.g. numbers of objects present cant be
negative)
4. Give the answers in a sentence
4. Indices and surds

perform simple operations with indices and with surds, including rationalising the
denominator
Operations with indices
A negative base raised to odd index is always negative; a negative base
raised to even index is always positive
𝑎𝑚 × 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛 𝑎 𝑎𝑛
(𝑏 )𝑛 = 𝑏𝑛 (𝑏 ≠ 0)
𝑎𝑚
= 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 (𝑎 ≠ 0)
𝑎𝑛 𝑎0 = 1 (𝑎 ≠ 0)
1
(𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚×𝑛 𝑎−𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛
𝑚
(𝑎𝑏)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑛 𝑛
𝑎 𝑛 = √𝑎𝑚 (𝑎 > 0, 𝑛 ∈ ℤ+ ,
𝑚 ∈ ℤ)
Operation with surds
√𝑎 ≥ 0, 𝑎 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 ≥ 0 𝑎 √𝑎
√𝑏 = √𝑏
√𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎 × √𝑏 (for 𝑎, 𝑏 ≥ 0)
𝑎√𝑘 + 𝑏√𝑘 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)√𝑘
Rationalizing the denominator

𝑏 √𝑎
for : multiply by (since it equals to 1)
√𝑎 √𝑎

𝑐 𝑎−√𝑏
for : multiply by
𝑎+√𝑏 𝑎−√𝑏
5. Factors of polynomials

BASE KNOWLEDGE
Zero for polynomial and root for equations

Adding and subtraction of polynomials can be done by collecting like

terms
Scalar can be multiplied to a polynomial by multiplying each term
Multiplying polynomials - each term of the first polynomial is multiplied
with each term of the second polynomial
Dividing polynomials

By long division
 TIP: 𝟎𝒙 can be inserted when there are no that kind of term
find factors of polynomials
Factors of a polynomial
If 𝑥 − 𝑎 is a factor of 𝑃(𝑥), then there exists a polynomial 𝑄(𝑥) such that
𝑃(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 𝑎)𝑄(𝑥)
If one factor is found, other factor could be obtained by performing division –
the quotient is the other factor
know and use the remainder and factor theorems
Remainder theorem
When polynomial 𝑃(𝑥) is divided by 𝑥 − 𝑘 until a constant remainder 𝑅 is
obtained ⟺ 𝑅 = 𝑃(𝑘)
We can use the theorem to determine the value of the remainder
Factor theorem
𝑘 is a zero of the polynomials 𝑃(𝑥) ⟺ 𝑥 − 𝑘 is a factor of 𝑃(𝑥)
𝑏
TIP: if 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏 is a factor of 𝑃(𝑥) ⟺ one of the zero is 𝑎
We can use the theorem to determine whether x-k is a factor of P(x)
solve cubic equations
Solving cubic equations
1. Identify the constant term
2. Factorize the constant term
3. Substitute the possible factor of constant term into the cubic equation until
a) the factor that allow the equation to =0 is one of the root of the cubic
equation
4. One factor is obtained by utilizing the factor theorem
5. The other quadratic factor is obtained by performing long division of the
equation with the factor
6. Solve the quadratic equation
6. Simultaneous equations

solve simple simultaneous equations in two unknowns by elimination or substitution

solve simple simultaneous equations in two unknowns
by elimination
4𝑥 − 𝑦 = 0
𝑒𝑥𝑚𝑎𝑝𝑙𝑒 {
𝑦−𝑥 =3

𝐼𝑓 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑 4𝑥 − 𝑦 = 0 𝑡𝑜 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 3, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛:
3𝑥 = 3
𝑥=1
𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑥 = 1 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 3
𝑦−1=3
𝑦=4
by substitution
2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 0
𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 {
𝑦=5

𝑆𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑦 = 5 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 0:
2𝑥 − 5 = 0
2𝑥 = 5
5
𝑥 = 2,𝑦 = 5
7. Logarithmic & exponential functions

know simple properties and graphs of the logarithmic and exponential functions
including ln 𝑥 and 𝑒 𝑥 (series expansions are not required) and graphs of 𝑘𝑒 𝑛𝑥 +
𝑎 and 𝑘 ln(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) where 𝑛, 𝑘, 𝑎 and 𝑏 are integers
graphs of the exponential functions
for 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑏 𝑥−𝑐 + 𝑑
𝑏 controls the steepness
𝑐 controls horizontal translation
𝑑 controls vertical translation, so that the horizontal asymptote of the
graph is 𝑦 = 𝑑

MARKING: 1 mark for correct shape; 1 mark for intercept labeled; 1 mark for the
asymptote
Logarithms
If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = log 𝑎 𝑥
Logarithm in base 10 is written as lg 𝑎
Logarithm in base 𝑒 is written as ln 𝑎
Simple properties
log 𝑎 (𝑔(𝑥)) is defined only when 𝑎 and 𝑔(𝑥) > 0
TIP: This can be used to determine the domain/range of a logarithmic
function
log 𝑎 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑥
𝑎log𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑥 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 > 0)
𝐼𝑓 𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑥 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = log 𝑎 𝑏 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎, 𝑏 > 0)
ln 𝑥 = log 𝑒 𝑥
lg 𝑥 = log10 𝑥
 graphs of the logarithmic functions
find the inverse function (the exponential function) of the given logarithmic
function
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑦 = 𝑘 ln(𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠: 𝑥 = 𝑘 ln(𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏)
𝑥
ln(𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏) = 𝑘
𝑥
𝑎𝑦 + 𝑏 = 𝑒 𝑘
𝑥
𝑎𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑘 − 𝑏
1 𝑥 𝑏
𝑦= 𝑒𝑘 −
𝑎 𝑎
graph the inverse function
reflect the graph of the inverse function in the line y=x
know and use the laws of logarithms (including change of base of logarithms) solve
equations of the form 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏
laws of logarithms
log 𝑐 𝑎 + log 𝑐 𝑏 = log 𝑐 𝑎𝑏
𝑎
log 𝑐 𝑎 − log 𝑐 𝑏 = log 𝑐 𝑏
nlog 𝑐 𝑎 = log 𝑐 ( 𝑎)𝑛
log 𝑎
log 𝑏 𝑎 = log𝑐 𝑏 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 > 0, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏, 𝑐 ≠ 1) (Change of base rule)
𝑐

Nature logarithms follows the same rule

Solving equations
By equating indices
𝐼𝑓 𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑘 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑘
By using logarithms
Logarithms can be added to both sides of the equal sign
Then solve the logarithmic equation formed - Utilize the laws of
logarithms to solve
8. Straight line graph

interpret the equation of a straight-line graph in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐

Equation of a straight-line graph is 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
∆𝑦 𝑦2 −𝑦1
Slope = 𝑚 = =
∆𝑥 𝑥2 −𝑥1

y-intercept = 𝑐
transform given relationships, including 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 and 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑏 𝑥 , to straight line form
and hence determine unknown constants by calculating the gradient or intercept of the
transformed graph
Transforming 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 and 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑏 𝑥 to to straight line form
Add logarithms to both side of the equarion (𝑙𝑔, 𝑙𝑛 etc)
E.g. for 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 E.g. for 𝑦 = 𝐴𝑏 𝑥
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 ln 𝑦 = ln 𝐴𝑏 𝑥
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑎 + ln 𝑥 𝑛 ln 𝑦 = ln 𝐴 + ln 𝑏 𝑥
ln 𝑦 = ln 𝑎 + 𝑛 ln 𝑥 ln 𝑦 = ln 𝐴 + 𝑥 ln 𝑏
Gradient: 𝑛; Gradient: ln 𝑏;
y-intercept: ln 𝑎 y-intercept: ln 𝐴
Axis: ln 𝑦 on vertical, ln 𝑥 Axis: ln 𝑦 on vertical, 𝑥 on
on horizontal horizontal
determine unknown constants by calculating the gradient or intercept
by substituting x and y value of two point (may be given by the question
or may need to be obtained from a graph)
NOTE: the two point you choose should be as far from each other as
possible (to be precise)
solve questions involving mid-point and length of a line
Midpoint of points (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is

𝑥1 +𝑥2 𝑦1 +𝑦2
𝑀( , )
2 2

Length of a line between points (𝑥1, 𝑦1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is

𝑑 = √(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2
know and use the condition for two lines to be parallel or perpendicular, including
finding the equation of perpendicular bisectors
condition for two lines to be parallel
the slope of the two-line equals
condition for two lines to be perpendicular
1
if one line has slope 𝑚, then the second line have the slope − 𝑚 (Opposite
reciprocal)
when multiplying the slope of two perpendicular lines together, the result is -1
Finding the equation of perpendicular bisector
1. Find the gradient of the given line by using the 2 points
2. Find the gradient of the perpendicular bisector, 𝑚
3. Find the midpoint, (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ), of the given line (since it the perpendicular
bisector bisects the line)
4. Plug the midpoint, gradient into the equation 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1 ) or
𝑦−𝑦1
=𝑚
𝑥−𝑥1