Pre-Calculus 120 A Section 2.
Square Root of a Function
Graphing y = f ( x)
• To graph y = f (x ) , you can set up a table of
values for the graph of the related function
y = f(x). Then, take the square root of the
y-values while keeping the x-values the same.
The mapping of this transformation would be
(x , y ) → ( x , y ) .
• Note that the graph of y = f ( x) does not exist
when f ( x) 0 since you cannot take the square
root of negative numbers.
• When graphing y = f (x ) , pay attention to
the invariant points, which are points that are
the same for both y = f ( x ) and y = f (x ) .
The invariant points are at (x, 0) and (x, 1)
because if f (x ) = 0 then f (x ) = 0 , and if
f (x ) = 1 then f (x ) = 1 .
Location of y = f ( x ) relative to y = f ( x) :
Value of f(x) f (x ) 0 f (x ) = 0 0 f (x ) 1 f (x ) = 1 f (x ) 1
The graph of The graphs of The graph The graphs of The graph
y = f (x ) is y = f (x ) of y = f (x ) y = f (x ) of y = f (x )
undefined. and y = f (x ) is above the and y = f (x ) is below the
intersect on graph of intersect. graph of
the x-axis. y = f (x ) . y = f (x ) .
Domain and Range of y = f (x )
• The domain of y = f (x ) consists only of the values in the domain of f ( x ) for which f (x ) 0 .
• The range of y = f (x ) consists of the square roots of the positive and zero values in the range
of y = f (x ) .
1
Pre-Calculus 120 A Section 2.2
Example 1: Compare Graphs of a Linear Function and the Square Root of the Function
a. Use the related function y = 4x − 3 to help you graph the function y = 4x − 3 .
b. Compare the graphs.
Solution:
a. x y = 4x − 3 y = 4x − 3
0
0.5
0.75
0.8
0.9
1
2
3
4
b. Comparison:
• The graphs of y = 4x − 3 and y = 4x − 3 intersect at ____________ and at ____________.
These are referred to as __________________ points.
• The x-intercept of the graph of y = 4x − 3 is also the x-intercept and the __________________
of the graph of the y = 4x − 3 .
• The graph of f (x ) = 4x − 3 is above the graph of f (x ) = 4x − 3 when ____________________.
The graph of f (x ) = 4x − 3 is below the graph of f (x ) = 4x − 3 when _______________.
• Domain of f (x ) = 4x − 3 : _______________, Range of f (x ) = 4x − 3 : _______________
Domain of f (x ) = 4x − 3 : __________________, Range of f (x ) = 4x − 3 : ________________
2
Pre-Calculus 120 A Section 2.2
Example 2: Graph the Square Root of a Function from the Graph of the Function
and Explore the Invariant Points, Domains and Ranges
Sketch the graph of the square root function using the graph of the related function. Determine the coordinates
of the invariant points, domain and range for y = f ( x) and y = f ( x) .
a. y = −x − 2 d. y = 9 − x 2
1
b. y = x 2 − 6x + 13 e. y = (x − 5)2
9
c. y = (x + 3)2 − 4 f. y = −x 2 − 1
Solution:
To graph y = f (x ) on the same grid as the graph of y = f(x):
• Plot (and determine the coordinates of) the invariant points.
• Plot a few other points. If possible, choose values of f(x) which have simple square roots.
• Connect the points with a smooth curve, making sure that the graph of y = f (x ) is above the graph of
y = f(x) for 0 y 1 .
a. y = −x − 2
Function y = −x − 2 y = −x − 2
Domain
Range
Invariant
Points
3
Pre-Calculus 120 A Section 2.2
b. y = x 2 − 6x + 13
Function y = x 2 − 6x + 13 y = x 2 − 6x + 13
Domain
Range
Invariant
Points
c. y = (x + 3)2 − 4
Function y = (x + 3)2 − 4 y = (x + 3)2 − 4
Domain
Range
Invariant
Points
4
Pre-Calculus 120 A Section 2.2
d. y = −x 2 + 9
Function y = −x 2 + 9 y = −x 2 + 9
Domain
Range
Invariant
Points
1
e. y = (x − 3)2
9
Function 1 1
y = (x − 3)2 y = (x − 3)2
9 9
Domain
Range
Invariant
Points
5
Pre-Calculus 120 A Section 2.2
f. y = −x 2 − 1
Function y = −x 2 − 1 y = −x 2 − 1
Domain
Range
Invariant
Points
Example 3: Determine Invariant Points, Domain and Range of y = f ( x) and y = f ( x)
For the functions in each pair:
• Determine the coordinates of the invariant points.
• Sketch the graph of y = f ( x) using key points (invariant points, vertex, etc.), then use this graph
to help you sketch the graph of y = f ( x) .
• Determine the domain and range of each function.
a. y = 4x − 2 and y = 4x − 2
Invariant points: Sketches:
Domain and Range:
Domain of y = 4x − 2 : _______________ Range of y = 4x − 2 : _______________
Domain of y = 4x − 2 : _______________ Range of y = 4x − 2 : _______________
6
Pre-Calculus 120 A Section 2.2
b. y = −3x 2 + 12 and y = −3x 2 + 12
Invariant points: Sketches:
Domain and Range:
Domain of y = −3x 2 + 12 : _______________ Range of y = −3x 2 + 12 : _______________
Domain of y = −3x 2 + 12 : _______________ Range of y = −3x 2 + 12 : _______________
1 1
( x − 5) − 1 and y = ( x − 5) − 1
2 2
c. y =
16 16
Invariant points: Sketches:
Domain and Range:
1 1
( x − 5) − 1 : _______________ Range of y = ( x − 5) − 1 : ________________
2 2
Domain of y =
16 16
1 1
( x − 5) − 1 : __________________ Range of y = ( x − 5) − 1 : ____________
2 2
Domain of y =
16 16
