Finding the equation of a cubic graph

Example 1: Three x-intercepts

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 is drawn below. Find the value of b, c and d?

(-1;0) (1;0) (3;0)

Example 2: Two x-intercepts and a y-intercept

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 is drawn below. Find the value of b, c and d?

(0;9)

(-2;0) (3;0)

Example 3: Random point and gradient of tangent at that point

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 is drawn below. Find the value of a and b if the
gradient of the tangent at A is -18?

A (-2;16)

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Example 4: Two turning points

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 is drawn below. Find the value of b, c and

d?

(1;4)

(-1;0)

Example 5: Two turning points

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 is drawn below. Find the value of b, c and d?

(2;10)

(-1;-3,5)
Example 6:

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 − 4 is drawn below.

(1;0) (4;0)

(-4;0)
(3;-4)

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For which values of x will:

a) 𝑓(𝑥) > 0
b) 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 0
c) 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) > 0
d) 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) < 0
e) 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) > 0
f) 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) ≤ 0

Tangent to a curve

A tangent is a straight line that passes through a point on a curve.

 The tangent to a point on the curve is a straight line that touches the curve
at that single point has the exact same gradient as the curve at that point
i.e 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = m
 To find the gradient of the tangent, we need to find the gradient of the
curve at that exact point i.e 𝑓 ′ (𝑥). To do this, we find the derivative of the
function at that point and substitute the x-value of the point of contact into
the derivative to get the gradient.
 Remember a tangent is a straight line and so has equation y = mx + c. We
already have m (the gradient) as shown above and to get c, we simply
substitute the coordinates of the point of contact between tangent and
curve into the equation y = mx + c.

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Stationary points and roots of a cubic graphs

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Relationship between cubic graph, quadratic graph and linear graph

𝒇(𝒙) : cubic graph (blue 𝒇′ (𝒙): quadratic graph 𝒇′′ (𝒙): linear graph(red
graph) (green graph) graph)

turning points x-intercepts

x-coordinate of point of x-coordinate of turning x-intercept

inflection point

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Class Exercise

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 is the graph of a cubic function passing through

the points (6; 0), (0; -12), (1 ; 0) , (-2;0). Determine the values of a, b, c and
d
2. If the graph if 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 − 12 passes through (-3;0) and has a
turning point at (2; 0) , determine the values of a and b
3. Determine a and b if 𝑦 = −13 is a tangent to the graph of the function 𝑦 =
−𝑎𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 𝑏 at 𝑥 = −2
4. The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 has a local turning point at (2; -4). Find the
value of a and b
5. The graph of 𝑦 = −𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 has a local turning point at (2; -32). Find
the value of a and b
6. The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 𝑛 has a local minimum turning point at
(2; -3). Find the value of m and n
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7. (1;-10) is a local turning point on the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = − 3 𝑥 3 +
𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐. Determine the value of b anf c
8. The line 𝑦 = −6𝑥 − 2 is a tangent to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 . Find the
value of a and b
9. The line 2𝑦 + 3𝑥 = 6 is a tangent to the curve 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑎𝑥 3 − 𝑏𝑥 2 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1.
Determine the value of a and b
10. The gradient of the tangent to 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 at the point (1;5) is 12
i) Find a and b
ii) Calculate the coordinates of the points on the curve where the
tangent to the curve is parallel to the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

PAST EXAM PAPERS PRACTISE QUESTIONS

2012 March Paper 1 Q 10

The tangent to the curve of 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 + 𝑝𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝑥 − 7 at 𝑥 = 1 has the equation

𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 8
10.1 Show that (1; -3) is the point of contact of the tangent to the graph (1)
10.2 Hence or otherwise calculate the values of p and q (6)

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2012 Higher Grade June Exam Paper 1 Q 6.3

6.3 The line 𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 3 is a tangent to the curve 𝑔(𝑥) = −2𝑎𝑥 3 − 𝑏𝑥 2 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1.

Determine the values of a and b. (8)

2013 Higher Grade June Exam Paper 1 Q 6.3

6.3 The straight line having equation 𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 𝑐 is a tangent to the curve having
the equation ℎ(𝑥) = −2𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 . Calculate the value of c if 𝑥 < 0 . (8)

2016 Gauteng June Exam Paper 1 Q 9

The diagram below shows the graph of 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) , the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 +
𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 . The graph of 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) intersects the x-axis at 1 and 5. A (4 ; – 9) is a point on
the graph of 𝑓 ′ (𝑥).

9.1 Write down the gradient of the tangent to f at x = 4 (1)

9.2 Draw a rough sketch of the graph of f (3)
9.3 Write down the x-coordinate of the turning point of inflection of f (2)
9.4 For which value(s) of x is f strictly increasing? (2)

2014 March Paper 1 Q 11

The graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is sketched below. The x-intercepts are
indicated.

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11.1 Calculate the values of a, b and c (4)
11.2 Calculate the x-coordinate of A and B, the turning points of f (5)
11.3 For which values of x will 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) < 0 ? (3)

2015 November Paper 1 Q 9

Given ℎ(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = −12𝑥. P and Q (2; 10) are the turning
points of h. The graph of h passes through the origin

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9.1 Show that 𝑎 = 2 and b = 6 (5)
9.2 Calculate the average gradient of h between P and Q, if it is given that 𝑥 = −1
at P (4)
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9.3 Show that the concavity of h changes at 𝑥 = 2 (3)
9.4 Explain the significance of the change in QUESTION 9.3 with respect to h (1)
9.5 Determine the value of x, given 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) < 0, at which the tanget to h is paralle to
g (4)

2010 November Paper 1 Q 9

The graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4 are sketched below. The
graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔′ (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is the derivative graph of a cubic function g. The
graphs of h and g′ have a common y-intercept at E. C(– 2 ; 0) and D(6 ; 0) are the x-
intercepts of the graph of 𝑔′ A is the x-intercept of h and B is the turning point of
g′ . AB || y-axis.

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9.1 Write down the coordinates of E. (1)
9.2 Determine the equation of the graph of g′ in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 . (4)
9.3 Write down the x-coordinates of the turning points of g. (2)
9.4 Write down the x-coordinate of the point of inflection of the graph of g. (2)
9.5 Explain why g has a local maximum at x = −2. (3)

2013 November P1 Q 9
The function defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 − 2 is sketched below. P (-1;-1) and R
are the turning points of f

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9.1 Show that a = 1 and b = -1 (6)
9.2 Hence or otherwise, determine the x-coordinate of R (3)
9.3 Write down the coordinates of a turning point of h is h is defined by ℎ(𝑥) =
2𝑓(𝑥) − 4 (2)

2015 Gauteng Prelim Paper 1 Q 11

The sketch graph below represents a cubic function with equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 −
4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑘

11.1 Explain why k = 0 (1)

11.2 Using this value of k, determine the values of
11.2.1 a (2)
11.2.2 b (4)
11.3 The graph of g with the equation 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑚𝑥 is a tangent to f at the point (0;
0). Calculate the value of m (2)
11.4 Make use of the graph, or any other way to determine the value of p for which
𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 2 = 𝑝 will only have one negative solution (2)

2015 Mpumalanga Prelim Paper 1 Q 8

Sketched below is the graph of 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑝𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝑥 + 1. K (-1; 4) is a turning point
of g. N is the local minimum of g

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8.1 Show that p = -1 and q = -5 (5)
8.2 Determine the coordinates of N (5)
8.3 Calculate the x-value of the point of inflection of g (2)
8.4 Determine the equation of the tangent to the graph at the point where
x = -2 (3)
8.5 Use the graph to determine the value(s) of t for which the equation of 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑡
will always have three real roots (2)
8.6For which value(s) of x is of 𝑥. 𝑔 𝑥 > 0?
′( )
(2)

2015 North West Prelim Paper 1 Q 7.2

The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔′ (𝑥) is sketched below, with the x-intercepts at A (-2;0) and B
(3;0). The y-intercepts of sketched graph is (0; 12)

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7.2.1 Determine the gradient of g at x = 0 (1)
7.2.2 For which value of x will the gradient of g be the same as the gradient in
QUESTION 7.2.1? (1)
7.2.3 Draw the sketch graph of 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥). Show the values of the stationary points
and the point of inflection on your sketch. It is not necessary to indicate the x-
intercept with the axes (3)

2009 March Paper 1 Q 12

The graph of ℎ(𝑥) = −𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 is shown below. A(– 1 ; 3,5 ) and B(2 ; 10 ) are
the turning points of h. The graph passes through the origin and further cuts the
x-axis at C and D.

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12.1 Show that 𝑎 = 2 and b = 6 (6)
12.2 Calculate the average gradient between A and B. (2)
12.3 Determine the equation of the tangent to h at x = – 2. (5)
12.4 Determine the x-value of the point of inflection of h. (3)

“Mathematics is the language with which God wrote the universe” - Galileo

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