Porisma

Worked solution

Recover f from a transformed input graph before reciprocating

The given graph is G(x)=f(3−x/2)G(x)=f(3-x/2), with stationary points (8,−2), (14,2) and x-intercepts 6,10,18. The source diagram shows a vertical asymptote x=0 and left horizontal asymptote y=−4.

Sketch separately:

(a) y=1/f(3−x/2)=1/G(x)y=1/f(3-x/2)=1/G(x);

(b) y=f(x)y=f(x).

Clearly show asymptotes, stationary points and axial intercepts.

Expand diagram

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Source qualitative graph G(x)=f(3-x/2), with pole x=0, min (8,-2), max(14,2), zeros 6,10,18, left horizontal asymptote y=-4 and unbounded decreasing right tail. No exact G formula is supplied; interpolation is schematic.
Source qualitative graph G(x)=f(3-x/2), with pole x=0, min (8,-2), max(14,2), zeros 6,10,18, left horizontal asymptote y=-4 and unbounded decreasing right tail. No exact G formula is supplied; interpolation is schematic.
Source qualitative graph G(x)=f(3-x/2), with pole x=0, min (8,-2), max(14,2), zeros 6,10,18, left horizontal asymptote y=-4 and unbounded decreasing right tail. No exact G formula is supplied; interpolation is schematic.

[2009/AJC/I/11]

CJC · Discussion · Question 8

Answer

(a) Poles 6,10,18; maximum (8,−1/2), minimum (14,1/2); horizontal −1/4 left,0 right; open (0,0). (b) Pole 3, right asymptote −4; maximum (−4,2), minimum (−1,−2); zeros −6,−2,0.

(a) Map reciprocal features without changing x

Zeros 6,10,18 become reciprocal vertical asymptotes at those x-values. The negative minimum (8,−2) becomes a maximum (8,−1/2); the positive maximum (14,2) becomes a minimum (14,1/2). The left horizontal asymptote y=−4 becomes y=−1/4; the unbounded right tail gives reciprocal horizontal asymptote y=0.

How did this part go?

(a) Preserve the original excluded origin

G is undefined at its original vertical asymptote x=0. Its reciprocal tends to 0 there, but(0,0) is an open limiting point, not the filled intercept in the printed sketch. There are no actual axial intercepts of 1/G.

How did this part go?

(b) Retain the source forward transformation chain

The source shows how f produces G: f(x)→f(3+x)f(x)\to f(3+x) by a translation 3 left; then f(3+x/2)f(3+x/2) by horizontal scale 2; then f(3−x/2)f(3-x/2) by reflection in the y-axis.

How did this part go?

(b) Reverse the printed chain

Starting from G, reflect in the y-axis to get f(3+x/2)f(3+x/2); scale horizontally by 1/2 to get f(3+x)f(3+x); translate 3 right to get f. Equivalently a source point (X, Y) of G corresponds to (3−X/2,Y)(3-X/2, Y) on f.

How did this part go?

(b) Label all recovered source coordinates

The stationary points become (−1,−2), (−4,2). Zeros 6,10,18 become 0,−2,−6. The pole x=0 maps to x=3; the left G horizontal asymptote becomes f’s right horizontal asymptote y=−4. Thus f has maximum (−4,2), minimum (−1,−2), x-intercepts −6,−2,0, and y-intercept 0.

How did this part go?

Compare your sketch

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First reciprocal G has poles 6,10,18, maximum (8,-1/2), minimum (14,1/2), left horizontal -1/4, right horizontal 0, and an open limiting point (0,0). Second original f has poles x=3, right horizontal -4, zeros -6,-2,0, maximum (-4,2), minimum (-1,-2). Branches are qualitative reconstructions preserving source features.
First reciprocal G has poles 6,10,18, maximum (8,-1/2), minimum (14,1/2), left horizontal -1/4, right horizontal 0, and an open limiting point (0,0). Second original f has poles x=3, right horizontal -4, zeros -6,-2,0, maximum (-4,2), minimum (-1,-2). Branches are qualitative reconstructions preserving source features.
First reciprocal G has poles 6,10,18, maximum (8,-1/2), minimum (14,1/2), left horizontal -1/4, right horizontal 0, and an open limiting point (0,0). Second original f has poles x=3, right horizontal -4, zeros -6,-2,0, maximum (-4,2), minimum (-1,-2). Branches are qualitative reconstructions preserving source features.

Common mistakes

The reciprocal does not define a new value at G’s original pole x=0. The source filled origin is a limiting-point ambiguity.

Solution notes

Both source transformation chains and all 3 source graph panels retained. Original zero-limit origin in the reciprocal is explicitly open. All source extrema/intercepts/asymptotes and side-of-tail behaviour preserved in qualitative reconstructions.

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