Lesson 8.

6
Identifying Function Types

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Warm-Up

What patterns do you notice in each table?

x −1 0 1 2 3 4

y 1 2 4 8 16

x −4 −2 0 2 4 6
y 3 0.5 −2 −4.5 −7 −9.5

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Learning Target:
Identify the function family to which a function belongs.

Success Criteria:
• I can graph various types of functions.
• I can recognize transformations of parent functions.
• I can identify function families from equations, graphs, and tables.

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KEY
IDEA
Parent Functions
Linear Absolute Value Exponential
f(x) = x f(x) = | x | f(x) = bx

Quadratic Cubic Square Root Cube Root

f(x) = x2 f(x) = x3 f(x) = f(x) =

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Example 1 Identifying Functions from Equations

Identify the function family to which g belongs.

a. g(x) = −2x b. g(x) = + 5 c. g(x) = (x − 4)2

SOLUTION

a. Notice that g(x) = −f(x), where f(x) = 2x. So, g is an exponential function because it is a
transformation of a parent exponential function.

b. Notice that g(x) = f(x) + 5, where f(x) = . So, g is a square root function because it is a
transformation of the parent square root function.

c. Notice that g(x) = f(x − 4), where f(x) = x2. So, g is a quadratic function because it is a
transformation of the parent quadratic function.

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Identify the function family to which g belongs.
2. g(x) = x +
1. g(x) = −

3. g(x) = 4. g(x) = x3 − 6

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 Example 2 Identifying Functions from Graphs

Identify the function family to which g belongs.

a. b. c. d.

SOLUTION
a. The graph of g is a translation 1 unit up of the graph of the parent
cubic function. So, g is a cubic function.
MODEL A b. The graph of g is a reflection in the x-axis of the graph of the parent
PROBLEM square root function. So, g is a square root function.
Use what you know
about transformations c. The graph of g is a reflection in the x-axis of the graph of a parent
to write a function for exponential function. So, g is an exponential function.
each graph.
d. The graph of g is a translation 3 units left of the graph of the parent
absolute value function. So, g is an absolute value function.
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Identify the function family to which g belongs.

5. 6. 7.

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8. The graph of a function decreases to its minimum, and then begins to increase.
Can you determine the function type? Explain your reasoning.

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Identifying Function Families from Tables
When given data in a table of values, you can graph the data to determine what type
of function might represent the data.

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 Example 3 Identifying Functions from Tables
USE ANOTHER
Plot the points. Tell whether the points can be represented METHOD
by a linear, an exponential, or a quadratic function. How can you use y-values
to identify which table
a. x 2 0 1 2 4 represents a linear function
and which represents an
y 4 0 0 4 exponential function?
SOLUTION
a. b. c.
b.
x 4 2 0 2 4

y 5 2 1 4 7

c.
x 2 1 0 1 2

y 1 2 4 8 The points can be The points can be The points can be

represented by a represented by a represented by an
quadratic function. linear function. exponential function.
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Plot the points. Tell whether the points can be represented by a linear, an exponential,
or a quadratic function.
9. x −1 0 1 2 3 10. x −3 −2 −1 0 1
y 5 −1 −3 −1 5 y 32 8 2

11. x −4 −3 0 1 2 12. x −2 −1 0 1 2
y 7 5 −1 −3 −5 y

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13. Create a table with inputs and outputs that show a constant rate of change. What type
of function is represented by the table?

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 KEY
IDEA

STUDY TIP Differences and Ratios of Functions

Linear functions have a
constant rate of change. You can use patterns between consecutive data pairs to determine which type
So, for equally spaced of function models the data. The differences of consecutive y-values are called
x-values, the differences first differences. The differences of consecutive first differences are called
of consecutive y-values
second differences.
are constant.
Exponential and • Linear Function The first differences are constant.
quadratic functions do
not have a constant rate • Quadratic Function The second differences are constant.
of change.
• Exponential Function Consecutive y-values have a common ratio.
In all cases, the differences of consecutive x-values need to be constant.

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Example 4 Using Differences or Ratios to Identify Functions

Tell whether each table of values represents a linear, an exponential, or a

quadratic function.
a. b.
x 3 2 1 0 1 x 2 1 0 1 2

y 11 8 2 1 y 1 2 4 8 16

c.
x 2 1 0 1 2

y 2 2 7

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 Example 4 Using Differences or Ratios to Identify Functions

STUDY TIP Tell whether each table of values represents a linear, an exponential, or a
First determine that the quadratic function.
differences of consecutive
x-values are constant. a.
Then check whether the x 3 2 1 0 1
first differences are
constant or consecutive
y-values have a common y 11 8 2 1
ratio. If neither of these is
true, then check whether SOLUTION
the second differences +1 +1 +1 +1
are constant.
a. The first differences are
x 3 2 1 0 1 constant. So, the table
represents a linear function.
y 11 8 2 1

3 3 3 3

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Example 4 Using Differences or Ratios to Identify Functions

Tell whether each table of values represents a linear, an exponential, or a

quadratic function.
b.
x 2 1 0 1 2

y 1 2 4 8 16

SOLUTION
+1 +1 +1 +1
b. Consecutive y-values have
x 2 1 0 1 2 a common ratio. So, the
table represents an
y 1 2 4 8 16 exponential function.

×2 ×2 ×2 ×2

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Example 4 Using Differences or Ratios to Identify Functions

Tell whether each table of values represents a linear, an exponential, or a

quadratic function.
c.
x 2 1 0 1 2

y 2 2 7

SOLUTION +1 +1 +1 +1
c.
x 2 1 0 1 2 The second differences
are constant. So, the
y 2 2 7 table represents a
quadratic function.
first differences
1 1 3 5
second differences
+2 +2 +2
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Tell whether the table of values represents a linear, an exponential, or a quadratic
function.
14. x −1 0 1 2 3 15. x −3 −2 −1 0 1
y 1 3 9 27 81 y 16 7 2 1 4

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Example 5 Modeling Real Life
Time Height
The table shows the height y of a golf ball x seconds after
(seconds), (meters), y
being hit on the moon. What type of function can you use to x
model the data? When is the ball about 100 meters high?
0 0
SOLUTION 5 80
1. Understand the Problem You are asked to identify the 10 120
type of function that can model the table of values and 15 120
then to find when the ball is at a specific height. 20 80
2. Make a Plan Create a scatter plot of the data. Then use
the relationship shown in the scatter plot to estimate
when the ball is 100 meters high.

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Example 5 Modeling Real Life
Time Height
The table shows the height y of a golf ball x seconds after
(seconds), (meters), y
being hit on the moon. What type of function can you use to x
model the data? When is the ball about 100 meters high?
0 0
SOLUTION 5 80
3. Solve and Check 10 120
Step 1: Create a scatter plot. Step 2: Sketch the curve. 15 120
20 80

The curve shows that y ≈ 100 when x = 7 and when x = 18.

So, you can model the data with a quadratic function.
The graph shows that the ball is about 100 meters high
after 7 seconds and after 18 seconds.
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Example 5 Modeling Real Life
Time Height
The table shows the height y of a golf ball x seconds after
(seconds), (meters), y
being hit on the moon. What type of function can you use to x
model the data? When is the ball about 100 meters high?
0 0
SOLUTION 5 80
10 120
Check Reasonableness To check that your solution
15 120
is reasonable, analyze the values in the table.
20 80
Because 100 is between 80 and 120, the time is
between 5 seconds and 10 seconds, and between 15
seconds and 20 seconds.
5 sec < 7 sec < 10 sec ✓
15 sec < 18 sec < 20 sec ✓

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16. In Example 5, about how long is the ball in the air? Time Height
Explain your reasoning. (seconds), (meters), y
x
0 0
5 80
10 120
15 120
20 80

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17. The table shows file sizes (in megabytes) of 4K videos that are x minutes long. What
type of function can you use to model the data? Estimate the file size of a 4K video that
is
90 seconds long.
Time (minutes), x 0.25 0.5 0.8 1 2
File size (megabytes), y 95 190 304 380 760

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 In-Class Practice
Mini-Assessment

1. Identify the function family to which g belongs.

a. g(x) = 0.5x3 b. g(x) = 20x c.

2. Plot the points. Tell whether the points can be

represented by a linear, an exponential, or a
quadratic function.
x −2 −1 0 1 2
y 8 4 2 1 0.5

3. Tell whether the table of values x 0 1 2 3 4

represents a linear, an exponential, y 8 3 0 −1 0
or a quadratic function.
4. The table shows the profit y (in dollars) a company earns for selling
x backpacks. What type of function can you use to model the data?
How many backpacks does the company sell in order to earn $600 profit?
Backpacks, x 5 10 15 20 25
Profit (dollars), y 60 120 180 240 300

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