Worked solution
Sketch an exact rational function and two different modulus graphs
Given , find:
(i) the asymptotes;
(ii) where the curve cuts the axes;
(iii) the stationary point.
Hence sketch F and use it to obtain separate graphs of and .
CJC · Discussion · Question 5
Answer
F:asymptotes y=−1, x=−1,3; intercepts (0,0), (2,0); minimum (1,−1/4). |F|: horizontal 1, maximum (1,1/4). F(|x|): poles ±3, zeros −2,0,2, minima(±1,−1/4), horizontal −1.
(i) Separate the constant and denominator factors
. Thus horizontal asymptote y=−1 and vertical asymptotes x=−1,3.
(ii) Find intercepts without cancelling excluded inputs
At x=0, y=0. Setting the numerator gives x=0,2. Both are allowed, so the axial intercepts are (0,0), (2,0).
(iii) Differentiate and classify
The denominator is positive on the domain. F′=0 at x=1, where F=−1/4; the sign changes from negative to positive, so this is a minimum (1,−1/4).
First modulus: reflect negative ordinates
keeps the zeros 0,2 and poles −1,3. Its horizontal asymptote is y=1. The negative minimum becomes a positive local maximum (1,1/4), and the zero crossings become sharp minima.
Second modulus: use only nonnegative inputs, then reflect horizontally
is even. Retain the x≥0 branch and reflect it in the y-axis. Its poles are x=±3, not x=−1; zeros are −2,0,2; minima are (±1,−1/4); horizontal asymptote is y=−1. The origin is a sharp local maximum, not an additional stationary point of the original differentiable F.
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Common mistakes
Do not retain the negative-input pole −1 when forming F(|x|).
Solution notes
Every printed ask, algebraic rewrite, derivative and all 3 source graphs retained. Modulus bars absent from extraction restored from the PDF image. These panels plot the exact supplied expression, not a qualitative inferred formula.