Sketching a graph based on certain conditions

In summary, Sketching a graph based on certain conditions can be difficult. However, with some help, it is possible.
  • #1
BlackMamba
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Sketching a graph based on certain conditions...

Hello,

I'm supposed to sketch a graph of f based on condtions I'm given. However some of the conditions I'm given I'm not sure exactly what is supposed to happen. A little help would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the condtions, some of which I think I know what f is supposed to do, some I do not:

[itex]f'(1) = f'(-1) = 0[/itex] : Does this mean there are horizontal asymptotes at y = 1 and y = -1?
[itex]f'(x) < 0[/itex] if [itex]|x| < 1[/itex] : I believe f is decreasing here on (-1, 1)
[itex]f'(x) > 0[/itex] if [itex]1 < |x| < 2[/itex] : I believe f is increasing here on (-2, -1) and (1, 2)
[itex]f'(x) = -1[/itex] if [itex]|x| > 2[/itex] : I don't have any guesses for this one.
[itex]f''(x) < if -2 < x < 0[/itex] : I believe f is concave down on (-2, 0)
inflection point (0, 1) : I believe concavity changes at this point.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm confident that I can draw the final graph, but it's just determining what f is doing based on the conditions given of f'(x) and f''(x).

Thanks in advance.
 
  • #3
BlackMamba said:
Hello,
I'm supposed to sketch a graph of f based on condtions I'm given. However some of the conditions I'm given I'm not sure exactly what is supposed to happen. A little help would be greatly appreciated.
Here are the condtions, some of which I think I know what f is supposed to do, some I do not:
[itex]f'(1) = f'(-1) = 0[/itex] : Does this mean there are horizontal asymptotes at y = 1 and y = -1?
Not asymptotes but horizontal tangent lines at x= 1 and x= -1. You don't know what f(1) and f(-1) are.

[itex]f'(x) < 0[/itex] if [itex]|x| < 1[/itex] : I believe f is decreasing here on (-1, 1)
Yes, and so you now know that f(-1)>= f(1).

[itex]f'(x) > 0[/itex] if [itex]1 < |x| < 2[/itex] : I believe f is increasing here on (-2, -1) and (1, 2)
Yes, and so there is a local maximum at x=-1, a local minimum at x= 1

[itex]f'(x) = -1[/itex] if [itex]|x| > 2[/itex] : I don't have any guesses for this one.[/tex]
This is the most specific one of all! Since f'(x) is a constant for |x|> 2, y= f(x) is a line with slope -1 for x< -2 and x> 2.

[itex]f''(x) < if -2 < x < 0[/itex] : I believe f is concave down on (-2, 0)
inflection point (0, 1) : I believe concavity changes at this point.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yes, the curve is concave down between -2 and 0 and concave up between 0 and 2. Your graph should be a straight line with slope -1 for x< -2, then an "s" curve going up to a maximum at x= -1 then down to a minimum at x= 1, then up to x= 2 where the graph changes to a straight line with slope -1.
The only y-value you are given is that f(0)= 1 since we are told that there is an inflection point at (0,1). There are, of course, an infinite number of graphs, y= f(x), that satisfy these conditions.
 
  • #4
Thanks again, HallsofIvy. I appreciate you giving the extra explanations. They help me understand these concepts a little more.
 

FAQ: Sketching a graph based on certain conditions

What is the purpose of sketching a graph based on certain conditions?

The purpose of sketching a graph based on certain conditions is to visually represent data and relationships between variables. This can help in understanding patterns and trends in the data and making predictions.

What are the steps involved in sketching a graph based on certain conditions?

The steps involved in sketching a graph based on certain conditions are:

  1. Identifying the variables and their relationships
  2. Determining the scale and units for each axis
  3. Plotting the points based on the given conditions
  4. Drawing a line or curve connecting the points
  5. Labeling the axes and providing a title for the graph

How do you determine the scale and units for each axis when sketching a graph?

The scale and units for each axis can be determined by looking at the range and increments of the data. It is important to choose a scale that allows for all data points to be plotted and clearly shows the relationship between the variables. The units should also be clearly labeled on each axis.

What should be considered when drawing a line or curve connecting the points on a graph?

When drawing a line or curve connecting the points on a graph, it is important to consider the overall shape of the data and the trend it represents. The line or curve should pass through or be as close as possible to all data points and should accurately represent the relationship between the variables.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when sketching a graph based on certain conditions?

Some common mistakes to avoid when sketching a graph based on certain conditions include:

  • Not labeling the axes or providing a title for the graph
  • Choosing an inappropriate scale that distorts the data
  • Not plotting all data points accurately
  • Drawing a line or curve that does not accurately represent the relationship between the variables

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