Porisma

Worked solution

Sketch each curve from its domain, intercepts and asymptotes

Sketch each graph, clearly indicating asymptotes, axial intercepts and coordinates of any turning points.

(a) y=2x3−5x2+x−2y=2x^3-5x^2+x-2.

(b) y=4x2exy=4x^2e^x.

(c) y=ln⁡x/(2x)y=\ln x/(2x).

(d) y=(x2+2x−8)/(x2+2x−3)y=(x^2+2x-8)/(x^2+2x-3).

(e) y=∣2x−x2∣y=|2x-x^2|.

(f) y=(ax+1)/(x−b)y=(ax+1)/(x-b), where (i)−1<a<0,0<b<1; or (ii)a<−1,b>1. What happens if ab+1=0?

CJC · Discussion · Question 1

Answer

All nine sketches shown; intercepts, turns and asymptotes listed in the working. If ab+1=0: y=a for x≠b, with a hole at (b,a).

(a) Polynomial intercepts and turns

The source gives intercepts (0,−2) and approximately (2.46,0); local maximum (0.107,−1.95) and local minimum (1.56,−5.02). A polynomial has no vertical, horizontal or oblique line asymptotes here. For verification, y′=6x2−10x+1y'=6x^2-10x+1 has zeros (5±19)/6(5\pm\sqrt{19})/6; the smaller gives the maximum and the larger the minimum.

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(b) Positive exponential factor and one-sided asymptote

As x→−∞x\to-\infty, 4x2ex→0+4x^2e^x\to0^+, so y=0 is a horizontal asymptote on the left. Since ex>0e^x>0, 4x2ex=04x^2e^x=0 only when x=0; hence (0,0) is the only axial intercept. Turning points are a minimum (0,0) and local maximum (−2.00,2.17), the latter exactly (−2,16/e2)(-2,16/e^2). The product limit uses exponential decay dominating polynomial growth; eˣ→0 alone is not a general product-limit argument.

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(c) Restrict the logarithm domain

For x>0, asymptotes are x=0 and y=0; the only axial intercept is (1,0), with no y-intercept. The maximum is approximately (2.72,0.184), exactly (e,1/(2e))(e,1/(2e)). As x→0⁺ the curve tends to−∞; as x→∞ it tends to 0 from above.

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(d) Divide and factor the denominator

y=1−5/[(x+3)(x−1)]y=1-5/[(x+3)(x-1)]. Thus asymptotes are x=−3,x=1,y=1. Intercepts are (−4,0),(2,0),(0,8/3); the middle branch has a minimum (−1,2.25). Outside the two poles the curve approaches y=1 from below; between the poles it lies above y=1.

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(e) Reflect only the negative portions

The absolute-value bars are present in the source image. On 0≤x≤2, y=2x−x2y=2x-x^2; outside this interval, y=x2−2xy=x^2-2x. Intercepts are (0,0),(2,0), with a smooth local maximum (1,1). The source lists this maximum; the two intercepts are also non-differentiable cusp minima. They must be retained when “turning points” includes changes of direction. There are no asymptotes.

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(f) Divide before choosing the branch orientation

ax+1=a(x−b)+(1+ab)ax+1=a(x-b)+(1+ab), so y=a+(1+ab)/(x−b)y=a+(1+ab)/(x-b), with x≠b. Provided 1+ab≠0, the asymptotes are x=b,y=a, and intercepts are (0,−1/b)(0,-1/b) and (−1/a,0)(-1/a,0). This retains the source long-division quotient a and remainder 1+ab. For either nondegenerate regime, y′=−(1+ab)/(x−b)2y'=-(1+ab)/(x-b)^2 is never zero, so there are no turning points.

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(f)(i) Position the zero to the right of the pole

For −1<a<0 and 0<b<1, −1/a>1-1/a>1, hence b<−1/ab<-1/a. Also 1+ab>0: the branch right of x=b runs from+∞down toward y=a, while the left branch lies below y=a.

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(f)(ii) Reverse the branch orientation

For a<−1 and b>1, 0<−1/a<10<-1/a<1, so −1/a<b-1/a<b. Here 1+ab<0: the branch left of x=b rises toward+∞near the pole, and the right branch lies below y=a.

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(f) Keep the excluded input after cancellation

If ab+1=0, then y=a+0/(x−b)=ay=a+0/(x-b)=a only for x≠b. The graph is the horizontal line y=a with a hole at (b,a). The source shows both a<0,b>0 and a>0,b<0 sign cases. This cancellation is a general extension: neither of the two strict parameter regimes above allows ab=−1. There is no vertical asymptote at the removable hole.

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Compare your sketch

Expand diagram

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Nine labelled graph panels: cubic, exponential product, logarithmic quotient, rational curve, absolute-value parabola, two rational parameter regimes, and two horizontal lines with holes. The working gives all intercepts, turns and asymptotes; parameter panels use explicitly labelled illustrative values.
Nine labelled graph panels: cubic, exponential product, logarithmic quotient, rational curve, absolute-value parabola, two rational parameter regimes, and two horizontal lines with holes. The working gives all intercepts, turns and asymptotes; parameter panels use explicitly labelled illustrative values.
Nine labelled graph panels: cubic, exponential product, logarithmic quotient, rational curve, absolute-value parabola, two rational parameter regimes, and two horizontal lines with holes. The working gives all intercepts, turns and asymptotes; parameter panels use explicitly labelled illustrative values.

Common mistakes

Absolute value reflects negative outputs upward; cancellation does not restore the excluded input. Parameter example plots illustrate regimes, not additional given values.

Solution notes

The absolute-value graph has cusp minima at (0,0) and (2,0), in addition to the smooth local maximum (1,1).

The parameter panels use labelled examples to show branch shapes; the conclusions hold for the full stated regimes.

The cancellation case is a general extension outside both strict parameter regimes. The excluded input remains a hole.

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