Graphing Functions:

To graph a function, you want to draw a chart as shown below. The red column is your input
and the blue column is the output of your function. For the red column, you will pick numbers
that you will insert for x, and for the blue column you will solve the function with the x value
chosen. In example, let’s do a chart for 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 , using the red and blue columns below. I will
pick the values, 0, 1, 2 for x, find the output for the function.
x y=𝑥 &
0
1
2

Ex 1: Make a chart for the following function Ex2: Make a chart for the following function
with at least 5 values: with at least 5 values.

𝒚=𝒙 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙 + 𝟑

Ex 3: Make a chart for the following function Ex 4: Make a chart for the following function
with at least 5 values: with a least 5 values:

𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟑 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑
You may ask ‘What does this have to do with graphing?’. Well, let’s figure out was it matters.
Using the example from above with adding a few numbers: How does this chart correspond to
the blank graph to the right?
X y=𝒙𝟐
-1 1
-2 4
0 0
1 1
2 4

The relationship it has is the that for a

graph you have what is called a point.

What is a Point? ________________________________________________________

Looking at the definition of a point and the chart to the left, what are the five points that will be
used to help us graph?

________________________________________________________________________

Plot those five points on the blank graph above and connect the lines. This is the graph of the
function 𝑦 = 𝑥 & .
Now let’s graph Ex 1-4, you should already have the chart done from the above examples, but it
would be wise to practice the concept of making the chart.

1. 𝒚 = 𝒙 2. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙 + 𝟑

3. 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙𝟑 4. 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑