1.

3 Exploring Properties
of Parent Functions

GOAL YOU WILL NEED

• graphing calculator or
Explore and compare the graphs and equations of five basic functions. graphing technology
• graph paper
EXPLORE the Math

Communication Tip
!x always means the positive
square root of x.
As a child, you learned how to recognize different animal families.

In mathematics, every function can be classified as a member of a family. Each family

member of a family of functions is related to the simplest, or most basic, function a collection of functions (or lines
sharing the same characteristics. This function is called the parent function. Here are or curves) sharing common
some members of the linear and quadratic families. The parent functions are in green. characteristics

parent function
Linear Functions Quadratic Functions the simplest, or base, function in
a family
y y
4 4 y
2 2 4
x x 2

4
2 0 2 4
4
2 0 2 4 x

2
2
4
2 0 2 4

4
4
2

4
Parent function: f(x) 5 x Parent function: f(x) 5 x 2
Family members: f(x) 5 mx 1 b Family members: f(x) 5 a(x 2 h) 2 1 k
Examples: f(x) 5 3x 1 2, Examples: f(x) 5 5(x 2 3) 2 2 1,
f(x) 5 2 12 x 2 2 f(x) 5 2x 2 1 3

Introduction to Functions 25
 Three more parent functions are the square root function f (x) 5 !x , the
absolute value 1
reciprocal function f (x) 5 x , and the absolute value function f (x) 5 |x|.
written as |x|; describes the
distance of x from 0; equals x What are the characteristics of these parent functions that
?
when x $ 0 or 2x when x , 0;
distinguish them from each other?
for example, |3| 5 3 and
|23| 5 2 (23) 5 3 A. Make a table like the one shown.

Equation of Name of Special Features/

Function Function Sketch of Graph Symmetry Domain Range
f(x) 5 x linear function y • straight line that
goes through
the origin
• slope is 1
x • divides the plane
exactly in half
diagonally
• graph only in
quadrants 1
and 3

f(x) 5 x2 quadratic function y • parabola that

opens up
• vertex at the
origin
x • y has a minimum
value
• y-axis is axis of
symmetry
• graph only in
quadrants 1
and 2
f(x) 5 "x square root function
1
f(x) 5 reciprocal function
x
f(x) 5 |x| absolute value function

Tech Support B. Use your graphing calculator to check the sketches shown for f (x) 5 x and
Use the following WINDOW f (x) 5 x 2 and add anything you think is missing from the descriptions.
settings to graph the functions:
Explain how you know that these equations are both functions.
C. In your table, record the domain and range of each of f (x) 5 x and f (x) 5 x 2.
D. Clear all equations from the equation editor. Graph the square root function,
f (x) 5 !x. In your table, sketch the graph and describe its shape. Is it a
function? Explain. How is it different from the graphs of linear and quadratic
functions?
You can change to these
settings by pressing
ZOOM 4 .

26 Chapter 1 NEL
 1.3
E. Go to the table of values and scroll up and down the table. Does ERR: appear
in the Y column? Explain why this happens.
Tech Support
For help with the TABLE
F. Using the table of values and the graph, determine and record the domain function of the graphing
and range of the function. calculator, see Technical
1 Appendix, B-6.
G. Repeat parts D through F for the reciprocal function f (x) 5 . Use the table To graph f(x) 5 |x|, press
x
of values to see what happens to y when x is close to 0 and when x is far from MATH 1
0. Explain why the graph is in two parts with a break in the middle. X,T,U,n )
.
H. Where are the asymptotes of this graph?
asymptote
I. Repeat parts D through F for the absolute value function f (x) 5 |x|. Which a line that the graph of a
of the other functions is the resulting graph most like? Explain. When you relation or function gets closer
have finished, make sure that your table contains enough information for you and closer to, but never meets,
to recognize each of the five parent functions. on some portion of its domain

y
Reflecting
J. Explain how each of the following helped you determine the domain and range.
a) the table of values
x
b) the graph asymptotes
c) the function’s equation
K. Which graphs lie in the listed quadrants?
a) the first and second quadrants Quadrants
b) the first and third quadrants
L. Which graph has asymptotes? Why? II I

M. You have used the slope and y-intercept to sketch lines, vertices, and
directions of opening to sketch parabolas. What characteristics of the new III IV
parent functions f (x) 5 !x, f (x) 5 , and f (x) 5 |x| could you use to
1
x
sketch their graphs?

In Summary
Key Idea
• Certain basic functions, called parent functions, form the building blocks for
families of more complicated functions. Parent functions include, but are not
limited to, f(x) 5 x, f(x) 5 x2, f(x) 5 "x, f(x) 5 , and f(x) 5 |x|.
1
x
(continued)

NEL Introduction to Functions 27

 Need to Know
• Each of the parent functions f(x) 5 x, f(x) 5 x2, f(x) 5 ! x, f(x) 5
1
, and
x
f(x) 5 |x| has unique characteristics that define the shape of its graph.

Equation of Function Name of Function Sketch of Graph

f(x) 5 x linear function y

4

2
x

4
2 2 4

2

4

f(x) 5 x 2 quadratic function
4

y

2
x

4
2 2 4

2

4

f(x) 5 ! x square root y

4
function
2
x

4
2 2 4

2

4

1 y
f(x) 5 reciprocal function
4
x

2
x

4
2 2 4

2

4

f(x) 5 |x| absolute value
4

y

function
2
x

4
2 2 4

2

4

FURTHER Your Understanding

1
1. Sketch the graphs of f (x) 5 x and g (x) 5
x on the same axes. What do the
graphs have in common? What is different about the graphs? Write equations
of the asymptotes for the reciprocal function.
2. Sketch the graphs of f (x) 5 x 2 and g(x) 5 |x| on the same axes. Describe
how these graphs are alike and how they are different.
3. Sketch the graph of f (x) 5 x 2 for values of x $ 0. On the same axes, sketch
the graphs of g(x) 5 !x and h(x) 5 x. Describe how the three graphs are
related.

28 Chapter 1 NEL