Australian International Academy, Kellyville

Year 9
Unit: X Attack
Due Date: 7th June 2017
Functions Investigation
For this investigation you will be exploring various functions and will be identifying
patterns in order to better understand how we create functions. You will be using
Excel to assist in graphing and will also be using Word to summarise your findings.

Once you have graphed both functions you need to copy them from Excel and
transfer them into Word.

You can view this video for your reference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ITgT3YPDeLs

1. Graph the following functions in Excel (on the same set of axes):

o y=2 x
o y=2 x+ 4
o y=2 x+ 6
 2. Copy your graph into Word and then discuss your findings by comparing and
contrasting the graphs, i.e. comment on what features of each graph are
similar and what are different.
All the gradients are the same; they are positive, parallel gradients.

3. Graph the following functions in Excel (on the same set of axes):
o y=2 x
o y=2 x3
o y=2 x5

Chart Title
15

10

0
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15
-5

-10

-15
a b c
4. Copy your graph into Word and then discuss your findings by comparing and
contrasting the graphs, i.e. comment on what features of each graph are
similar and what are different.

They are all positive, and parallel. The gradient is the same. They y intercept
for y = 2 X 3 is -3 and for y = 2 X 5 is -5.

5. Graph the following functions in Excel (on the same set of axes):
o y=x2
o y=3 x2
o y=5 x2
 Chart Title
60

40

20

0
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15
-20

-40

-60
A B C

6. Copy your graph into Word and then discuss your findings by comparing and
contrasting the graphs, i.e. comment on what features of each graph are
similar and what are different.

They all have the intercept, -2, and they are all positive. They are not parallel
and the gradients are different. The higher the gradient is the steeper the line.

7. Calculate the gradient of each of your functions from question 6.

 y=X2=1

y=3X-2=3

y=5X-2=6

8. Graph the following functions in Excel (on the same set of axes):
o y=x+ 4
o y=2 x+ 4
o y=4 x+ 4

Chart Title
50
40
30
20
10
0
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15
-10
-20
-30
-40
-50
A B C

9. Copy your graph into Word and then discuss your findings by comparing and
contrasting the graphs, i.e. comment on what features of each graph are
similar and what are different.
They are all negative gradients, they are not parallel and they cross over.

10. Calculate the gradient of each of your functions.

Y=x+4=1

Y=2x+4=2

Y=4x+4=4

11. Graph the following functions in Excel (on the same set of axes):
o y=x +5
o y=2 x3
o 2
y=x +5
o 2
y=2 x 3
 Chart Title
12

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

12. Copy your graph into Word and then discuss your findings by
comparing and contrasting the graphs, i.e. comment on what features of
each graph are similar and what are different.
Series 1 and 2 are positive; series 3 is negative and series 4 and 5 are
parabolas.
 13. Linear functions take the form: y=mx +b . Using your findings from
questions 1-12 summarise what the coefficients m and c represent in a
linear function. Ensure that you are specific about what occurs. Provide some
examples for full justification.

The M represents the gradient/slope and the b represents the y intercept. The y
intercept is where the line crosses the y-axis.

Example of questions:

Y=3x+1

M is 3, B is -1

Y = -5 x + 6

M is -5, B is 6

14. A travel agent took a tour bus on a sightseeing trip to The Sydney
Opera House when there were 30 people aboard. The tour bus company
charged the travel agent $240. The following week, the travel agent had 50
people on board and the tour bus company charged them $220. How much is
the "base rate" for the empty bus? How much does each person cost?
Show this using y=mx +b form. Link your answers to your findings from
question 13.

15. Using your knowledge from this investigation predict what the following
linear functions would look like when it is graphed. Ensure you are using
correct mathematical terminology during your discussion.
o y=2 x+ 5
o y=4 x+7

Look back at your graphs from question 11. When you reflect on these graphs some
of them were linear functions however the others were non-linear functions.
Investigate what type of non-linear functions they are. How can you easily identify

the type of function in the future? Y = x^2+5 Y= -2x^2-3 The easiest and most
identifiable method is to notice that parabolic functions have the curved U
shape.