Nelson Advanced Functions 12 – Study
Sheet
Absolute Maximum / Minimum (p. 131)
These are the highest and lowest values a function reaches over its entire domain.
- Absolute Maximum: The greatest y-value on the graph.
- Absolute Minimum: The smallest y-value on the graph.
Example: f(x) = -x² + 4 → Vertex at (0, 4); Absolute maximum = 4; No absolute minimum.
Absolute Value (p. 73)
The distance a number is from 0 on the number line. Always non-negative.
Definition:
|x| = x if x ≥ 0; |x| = -x if x < 0
Example: |5| = 5, |-3| = 3
Absolute Value Functions (pp. 14–17, 25, 53)
Functions involving absolute value expressions. Basic form: f(x) = |x| (V-shaped graph)
Example: f(x) = |x - 2| + 1 → Vertex at (2, 1), opens upward.
Asymptotes (pp. 20, 25)
Lines that a graph approaches but never touches.
- Vertical: often from division by zero.
- Horizontal/oblique: describe end behaviour.
Example: f(x) = 1/x → Vertical: x = 0; Horizontal: y = 0
Characteristics of Functions (p. 26)
Features include domain, range, intercepts, symmetry, increasing/decreasing intervals, and
discontinuities.
Example: f(x) = x² → Domain: all reals; Range: y ≥ 0; Symmetry: even
Discontinuity (p. 25)
Points where the graph jumps, breaks, or has holes.
Example: f(x) = (x² - 1)/(x - 1) simplifies to x + 1, but has a hole at x = 1 (removable
discontinuity).
Domain (pp. 15, 19, 25, 27, 30)
All possible input (x) values for which the function is defined.
Examples:
- f(x) = √(x - 3) → Domain: x ≥ 3
- f(x) = 1/x → Domain: x ≠ 0
End Behaviour (pp. 25, 27)
Describes what happens to f(x) as x approaches ±∞.
Example: f(x) = x² → As x → ±∞, f(x) → ∞
Graphing (pp. 16, 26, 29–35)
Includes intercepts, shape, transformations, asymptotes.
Example: f(x) = |x - 3| + 2 → Shift right 3, up 2; Vertex at (3, 2)
Intervals of Increase/Decrease (pp. 22, 25, 27, 30)
Where the graph increases or decreases as you move left to right.
Example: f(x) = x² → Decreasing on (-∞, 0); Increasing on (0, ∞)
Range (pp. 15, 19, 20, 25, 27, 30)
The set of all possible output (y) values of a function.
Examples:
- f(x) = x² → Range: y ≥ 0
- f(x) = √(x - 3) → Range: y ≥ 0
Symmetry (pp. 15, 25)
Describes if a graph mirrors across an axis.
- Even functions: symmetric about the y-axis (e.g., f(x) = x²)
- Odd functions: symmetric about the origin (e.g., f(x) = x³)
Transformations (p. 16)
Shifting, stretching, compressing, or reflecting a graph.
Example: f(x) = -2(x - 3)² + 1 → Vertical stretch by 2, reflect over x-axis, shift right 3, up 1.
Turning Point (p. 30)
The point where the graph changes direction from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.
Example: For f(x) = x², the turning point is the vertex at (0, 0).
Y-intercepts (pp. 25, 27)
The point where the graph crosses the y-axis (x = 0).
Example: f(x) = x² - 4 → y-intercept at (0, -4)
Zeros (pp. 19, 25)
The x-values for which f(x) = 0 (where the graph crosses the x-axis).
Example: f(x) = x² - 4 → Zeros at x = -2 and x = 2
Absolute Value Notation (p. 60)
The notation |x| indicates the absolute value (distance from zero). Always positive or zero.
Example: |x - 2| = x - 2 if x ≥ 2, else -(x - 2)
Acceleration Due to Gravity (p. 205)
A constant value used in physics: approximately 9.8 m/s². Often appears in quadratic
models of motion.
Example: h(t) = -4.9t² + vt + h₀
Addition of Functions (pp. 523–525, 528)
Combining functions by adding their outputs.
If f(x) = x², g(x) = x, then (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x) = x² + x.
Addition Identities (p. 416)
Trigonometric identities for adding angles.
Example: sin(A + B) = sinAcosB + cosAsinB
Algebraic Approach/Model/Strategy (pp. 4–5)
Using algebra (like factoring, solving equations) to model and solve problems.
Exponential Equations – Algebraic Strategy (pp. 480–482)
Solving exponential equations using logarithms or by making bases the same.
Example: Solve 2^x = 8 → x = 3
Instantaneous Rate of Change (p. 82)
The slope of the tangent to a curve at a single point.
Approximated using limits or small intervals.
Example: In physics, it’s the instantaneous speed.
Inverse Relation (p. 58)
The reverse of a function: switches x and y.
Example: f(x) = 2x → inverse is f⁻¹(x) = x/2
