GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

13.1 Cubic, reciprocal and exponential graphs — Practise

Work independently. Questions and answers are checked from the same problem bank. Questions marked H extend the Higher work.

  1. H For y=x3−4xy=x^3-4x, work out the xx-intercepts and the yy-intercept.
  2. H For y=x3y=x^3, work out yy when x=−2,−1,0,1,2x=-2,-1,0,1,2.
  3. H Find where y=x3−3xy=x^3-3x meets the xx-axis.
  4. H Complete the values of y=1/xy=1/x for x=−2,−1,1,2x=-2,-1,1,2.
  5. H State the asymptotes of y=1/xy=1/x and explain why the graph has two branches.
  6. H For y=2xy=2^x, work out yy when x=−1,0,1,2x=-1,0,1,2.
  7. H A quantity follows y=3×2xy=3\times2^x. Work out yy when x=3x=3 and describe the growth factor.
  8. H Match each description to cubic, reciprocal or exponential: (a) S-shape through the origin; (b) two branches approaching both axes; (c) positive curve through (0,1)(0,1) that doubles each step right.
  9. H H For y=x3−3x2−4xy=x^3-3x^2-4x, find and list the xx-intercepts.
Answers and concise solutions

1. Intercepts of y=x3−4xy=x^3-4x

Answer: The xx-intercepts are (−2,0),(0,0),(2,0)(-2,0),(0,0),(2,0). The yy-intercept is (0,0)(0,0). Factor: x(x−2)(x+2)=0x(x-2)(x+2)=0.

2. Values for y=x3y=x^3

Answer: The outputs are −8,−1,0,1,8-8,-1,0,1,8 respectively. The graph falls left and rises right.

3. Cubic and xx-axis intersections

Answer: Set y=0y=0: x(x2−3)=0x(x^2-3)=0. Thus x=−3,0,3x=-\sqrt3,0,\sqrt3.

4. Values for y=1/xy=1/x

Answer: The outputs are −1/2,−1,1,1/2-1/2,-1,1,1/2 respectively.

5. Reciprocal asymptotes

Answer: The axes x=0x=0 and y=0y=0 are asymptotes. The rule is undefined at x=0x=0, so the branches cannot join there.

6. Values for y=2xy=2^x

Answer: The outputs are 1/2,1,2,41/2,1,2,4 respectively.

7. Exponential growth

Answer: y=3×23=24y=3\times2^3=24. Each unit step in xx multiplies yy by 22.

8. Match graph families

Answer: (a) cubic; (b) reciprocal; (c) exponential.

9. Higher cubic intercepts

Answer: x(x−4)(x+1)=0x(x-4)(x+1)=0, so the intercepts are (−1,0),(0,0),(4,0)(-1,0),(0,0),(4,0).

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