ACT Math : How to graph a function

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Graph A Function

Suppose

To obtain the graph of , shift the graph  a distance of  units              .

Possible Answers:

Up and right

To the left

To the right

Upwards

Downwards

Correct answer:

Upwards

Explanation:

There are four shifts of the graph y = f(x):

y = f(x) + c shifts the graph c units upwards.

y = f(x) – c shifts the graph c units downwards.

y = f(x + c) shifts the graph c units to the left.

y = f(x – c) shifts the graph c units to the right.

Example Question #11 : How To Graph A Function

Which of the following graphs does NOT represent a function?

Possible Answers:

All of the graphs are functions.

Act_math_159_10

Act_math_159_14

Act_math_159_12

Act_math_159_13

Correct answer:

Act_math_159_13

Explanation:

This question relies on both the vertical-line test and the definition of a function. We need to use the vertical-line test to determine which of the graphs is not a function (i.e. the graph that has more than one output for a given input). The vertical-line test states that a graph represents a function when a vertical line can be drawn at every point in the graph and only intersect it at one point; thus, if a vertical line is drawn in a graph and it intersects that graph at more than one point, then the graph is not a function. The circle is the only answer choice that fails the vertical-line test, and so it is not a function.

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