2.5.7
Graphs of Common Functions 3
Common Functions
Common Functions
You need to be able to draw the following graphs for your exam. Make sure you know their shapes, intercepts, and behavior at large values.


Square root graph
Square root graph
- There are no real values for the square root of a negative number, so the square root graph exists only in quadrant I of the Cartesian plane.
- Only positive values of are plotted so that the graph is a function.
- The reason for this is explained further when we look at functions in more detail.


Cube root graph
Cube root graph
- The cube root of a negative number gives a negative number, so the graph exists in both quadrants I and III.


Absolute value function
Absolute value function
- The absolute value function is written as .
- The function takes each value of and gives the magnitude of the value as its output.
- For example,
- The graph exists only in the upper two quadrants of the Cartesian plane.


Piecewise function
Piecewise function
- A piecewise function is a function that is composed of multiple functions defined on different ranges of .
- The convention for writing the function is shown alongside the graph.


Step function
Step function
- The step function is a special type of piecewise function.
- The step function is 0 for negative values of and 1 for positive values of and for .
1Proof
1.1Types of Numbers
1.2Notation
2Algebra & Functions
2.1Powers & Roots
2.2Quadratic Equations
2.3Inequalities
2.4Polynomials
2.5Graphs
2.7Transformation of Graphs
3Coordinate Geometry
3.1Straight Lines
3.2Circles
3.2.1Equations of Circles centred at Origin
3.2.2Finding the Centre & Radius
3.2.3Equation of a Tangent
3.2.4Circle Theorems - Perpendicular Bisector
3.2.5Circle Theorems - Angle at the Centre
3.2.6Circle Theorems - Angle at a Semi-Circle
3.2.7Equation of a Perpendicular Bisector
3.2.8Equation of a Circumcircle
3.2.9Circumcircle of a Right-angled Triangle
3.3Parametric Equations (A2 only)
4Sequences & Series
4.1Binomial Expansion
5Trigonometry
5.2Trigonometric Functions
5.3Triangle Rules
6Exponentials & Logarithms
6.1Exponentials & Logarithms
7Differentiation
7.1Derivatives
7.2Graphs & Differentiation
7.3Differentiation With Trigonometry and Exponentials
7.4Rules of Differetiation (A2 only)
7.5Parametric & Implicit Differentiation
8Integration
8.1Integration
9Numerical Methods
9.1Finding Solutions
9.2Finding the Area
10Vectors
10.12D Vectors
10.23D Vectors
10.3Vector Proofs
Jump to other topics
1Proof
1.1Types of Numbers
1.2Notation
2Algebra & Functions
2.1Powers & Roots
2.2Quadratic Equations
2.3Inequalities
2.4Polynomials
2.5Graphs
2.7Transformation of Graphs
3Coordinate Geometry
3.1Straight Lines
3.2Circles
3.2.1Equations of Circles centred at Origin
3.2.2Finding the Centre & Radius
3.2.3Equation of a Tangent
3.2.4Circle Theorems - Perpendicular Bisector
3.2.5Circle Theorems - Angle at the Centre
3.2.6Circle Theorems - Angle at a Semi-Circle
3.2.7Equation of a Perpendicular Bisector
3.2.8Equation of a Circumcircle
3.2.9Circumcircle of a Right-angled Triangle
3.3Parametric Equations (A2 only)
4Sequences & Series
4.1Binomial Expansion
5Trigonometry
5.2Trigonometric Functions
5.3Triangle Rules
6Exponentials & Logarithms
6.1Exponentials & Logarithms
7Differentiation
7.1Derivatives
7.2Graphs & Differentiation
7.3Differentiation With Trigonometry and Exponentials
7.4Rules of Differetiation (A2 only)
7.5Parametric & Implicit Differentiation
8Integration
8.1Integration
9Numerical Methods
9.1Finding Solutions
9.2Finding the Area
10Vectors
10.12D Vectors
10.23D Vectors
10.3Vector Proofs

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered