IGCSE Cambridge (CIE) Maths 1 hour 16 questions

Exam Questions

Quadratic Graphs
Quadratic Graphs

Medium (5 questions) /26

Hard (5 questions) /20

Very Hard (6 questions) /26

Total Marks /72

1
Medium Questions

2
1 (a) The graph of y = 10 − 8x 2 for −1 . 5 ≤ x ≤ 1 . 5 is drawn on the grid.

Write down the equation of the line of symmetry of the graph.

3
 Answer

By inspecting the graph

[1]
(1 mark)

(b) On the grid, draw the tangent to the curve at the point where x = 0.5 .
Find the gradient of this tangent.

Answer

The tangent must be a straight line touching the curve at . There should be
no gap between the tangent and the curve, and equally the tangent line should not

4
cross the curve. See diagram below.

tangent line drawn with a straight edge, touching but not crossing the curve at (0.5, 8) [1]

There is some margin of error allowed in drawing the tangent so the calculations
below may vary slightly depending on the angle the tangent line is drawn at (see
note underneath final answer).

5
Gradient =

Whichever version of the gradient formula we use, we need to pick two points, such
as A and B marked on the diagram.
In the diagram A = (1, 4) and B = (0.5, 8). Using the gradient formula,

Gradient =

[1]
Gradient = [1]
Any final answer between −9 and −6.5 is permitted, so long as the tangent is draw
and a version of the gradient formula is seen in the working
(3 marks)

6
2 (a) The diagram shows part of the graph of y = x 2 − 2x + 3

By drawing a suitable straight line, use your graph to find estimates for the solutions of
x2 − 3x − 1 = 0
Answer

We have the graph of so we need to rearrange so that

" " appears on its own on one side of the equation
Add 4 to both sides

Add to both sides

7
Draw the line on the graph using your knowledge of linear graphs y = mx
+ c. Draw a line through 4 on the y-axis with gradient 1

y = x + 4 drawn correctly on the grid [1]

Read the values where and intersect. There is some

margin of error permitted (see below)

8
 x = 3.3, x = −0.3
x value from −0.2 to −0.4 and x value from 3.2 to 3.4 [1]
(2 marks)

(b) P is the point on the graph of y = x 2 − 2x + 3 where x = 2

Calculate an estimate for the gradient of the graph at the point P.

Answer

We can estimate the gradient at by drawing a tangent at and calculating

its gradient

9
First draw a tangent at . This should be a straight line (use a ruler or straight
edge) touching the curve at , but not crossing the curve

suitable tangent line drawn [1]

Pick two points on the tangent, not too close to each other. Try to pick points that
can be clearly read off the grid. E.g. in the diagram above, we have picked (4, 7.1)
and (0.6, 0)

10
Find the gradient between these two points using or

Your gradient will depend on your tangent so there is some margin of error
permitted in exam questions. For the tangent drawn above, the calculation and
answer would be as follows

gradient =

or gradient formula used with tangent line [1]

If your calculation does not result in an exact answer, write the answer to at least 3
significant figures
Answer = 2.09
Any answer from 1.6 to 2.5 so long as it is consistent with the drawn tangent line [1]
(3 marks)

11
3 (a) Complete the table of values for y = x2 − x − 6
x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

y 6 -6

Answer

Use the TABLE function on your calculator for , starting at -3,

ending at 3 and with steps of 1
If your calculator does not have a TABLE function then substitute the values of into
the function one by one for the missing values, being careful to put negative
numbers in brackets, e.g.

x −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3

y 6 −6 0

at least 2 correct values [1]

all values correct [1]

Before writing your answers in the table, double check that the -values the
calculator gives you match the values that are already in the tab
(2 marks)

12
(b) On the grid, draw the graph of y = x 2 − x − 6 for values of x from −3 to 3

Answer

Carefully plot the points from your table of values in (a) on the grid, noting the
different scales on the and axes
For example, the first column represents the point

13
 After plotting the points, join them with a smooth curve- do not use a ruler!

at least 5 points plotted correctly [1]

smooth curve through points [1]
It is a quadratic function so its graph should be symmetrica
(2 marks)

(c) Use your graph to find estimates of the solutions to the equation x 2 − x − 6 = −2

14
Answer

Draw the graph of and read off the graph the -values where
intersects with

There is some margin of error due to the drawing of the curve by hand. However
your answers must be consistent with your graph. In this case the answers would be

−1.55 and 2.55

15
any answer between −1.5 and −1.7 [1]

any answer between 2.5 and 2.7 [1]

(2 marks)

16
4 (a) Complete the table of values for y = x2 5x +6
x 0 1 2 3 4 5

y 6 0 0 2

Answer

Substitute the x-values into the expression for y

x 0 1 2 3 4 5

y 6 2 0 0 2 6

both values correct [1

(1 mark)

17
(b) On the grid, draw the graph of y = x2 5x + 6 for 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 5

Answer

Carefully plot the points from your table of values in (a) on the grid, noting the
different scales on the and axes
For example, the first column represents the point .

18
 After plotting the points, join them with a smooth curve- do not use a ruler!

at least 5 points plotted correctly [1]

smooth curve through points [1]
It is a quadratic function so its graph should be symmetrica
(2 marks)

(c) By drawing a suitable straight line on the grid, find estimates for the solutions of the
equation

x 2 – 5x =x–7
Answer

We have the graph of (from part (b)). We need to rearrange

so that " " appears on its own on one side of the
equation.
In this case, add 6 to both sides.

[1]

19
Now draw the line on the graph and read the values where this line
and intersect.
To draw the line , draw a straight line through with a gradient of
1.

y = x - 1 drawn correctly on the grid [1]

x = 1.6, x = 4.4 [1]
Both possible x values must be stated to achieve full mark
(3 marks)

20
5 (a) Part of the graph of y = 2x 2 − 4x − 1 is shown on the grid.

Use the graph to find estimates for the solutions of the equation 2x 2 − 4x − 1 = 0
Give your solutions correct to one decimal place.

Answer

To find the solutions of , read the -coordinates where the

graph intersects the x axis.
[2]
1 mark for each correct answer.
(2 marks)

(b) By drawing a suitable straight line on the grid, find estimates for the solutions of the
equation x 2 −x−1=0
Show your working clearly.

Give your solutions correct to one decimal place.

21
Answer

To rearrange the given equation such that it has the function of the drawn graph on
one side, begin by multiplying both sides by 2, so that the coefficient of x2 is the
same.

Rearrange so that it has the function of the drawn graph

on the left hand side.

Use your knowledge of linear graphs to plot on the grid. The easiest
method is to consider the points where the graph crosses the axes.

22
Draw a straight line through (0, 1) and (0.5, 0) on the given axes, check that the
graph goes through (0, 1) and has a gradient of -2.

drawn correctly on the grid [1

Read the x values where the straight line intersects with the graph of
.
[1]
(3 marks)

23
Hard Questions
1

The diagram shows a sketch of the curve y = x 2 + 3x − 4.

Find the coordinates of the points A, B and C.

A (.............. , ..............)

B (.............. , ..............)

C (.............. , ..............)

Answer

The points A and B are the x- intercepts.

The point C is the y- intercept.
Find the x- intercepts by letting y equal zero.

24
 Factorise.

[1]
Solve by letting each bracket equal zero.

and

So the x intercepts are -4 and 1.

A is negative so it must have the coordinate (-4, 0). B is positive so it must have the
coordinate (1, 0)
Find the y- intercept by letting x equal zero.

So C must have the coordinate (0, -4).

1 mark for each correct [3]

(4 marks)

2 i) Factorise 24 + 5x − x2 .
[2]

ii) The diagram shows a sketch of y = 24 + 5x − x 2 .

25
Work out the values of a , b and c .

a = ................................................
b = ................................................
c = ................................................ [3]
Answer

i) "Factorise"means to write as brackets to be expanded. Rearrange the quadratic

such that it is in the form.

Multiply the first and the last terms (-1 and 24).

Look for two values that both multiply to make -24 and add to make the middle
term, +5.

26
Use these factors to split the middle term, into the sum of and .

Factorise the first two terms by taking the common factor of outside of the
brackets.

Factorise the last two terms by taking the common factor of 3 outside of the
brackets.

[1]

Both the and the +3 are multiplied by . Factorise the whole

bracket out, leaving and +3 together in their own bracket
[1]
(8 - x)(3 + x) also correct

ii) The
points a and b are the x intercepts.
The point c is the y intercept.
Find the x- intercepts by letting y equal zero.

Rewrite using the factorised form found in part (i).

[1]
Solve by letting each bracket equal zero.

and

27
So the x intercepts are -3 and 8.
a is negative so it must have the coordinate (-3, 0).
b is positive so it must have the coordinate (8, 0).

Find the y intercept by letting x equal zero.

So c must have the coordinate (0, 24).

1 mark for each correct [1]

(5 marks)

28
3 (a) Write x 2 + 10x + 14 in the form ( x+a )
2 +b.
Answer

The result required is in completed square form.

To complete the square, set up a squared bracket with two terms; and half of the
coefficient of the term - in this case 5. The squared brackets would then produce
an extra, unwanted constant term, so we need to subtract this; in this case the
unwanted constant would be 52 = 25.

[1]

[1]
(2 marks)

29
(b) Sketch the graph of y = x 2 + 10x + 14 , indicating the coordinates of the turning point.

Answer

This is a positive quadratic (U-shape) so the turning point will be a minimum point.
Using the answer to part i)
the minimum point has coordinates (-5, -11)

( for all values of and is minimum when , .)

30
No other points are required but to get the graph in the correct location we do need
to know the -axis intercept - which is when - which is 14.

U-shape graph [1]

Turning point [1]
Graph in correct place [1]
(3 marks)

31
4

On the diagram,

Sketch the graph of y = x −1

( )
2.

Answer

This is a quadratic function so will be the shape of a parabola (∪).

You need to find where the graph crosses the coordinate axes.
The graph crosses the y-axis when x = 0.

The graph crosses the x-axis when y = 0.

Square root both sides and then add 1 to both sides.

32
 There is only one answer so that means the graph only touches the x-axis and goes
not go through it.
Draw the parabola by drawing a symmetrical ∪ shape which goes through (0, 1) and
touches (1, 0). (1, 0) is therefore the minimum.

Drawing a ∪ shaped-parabola [1]

Drawing the correct graph [1]
(2 marks)

5 Find the turning point of y = x 2 + 4x − 3 by completing the square.

( ...................... , .....................)

Answer

The formula for completing the square for a quadratic in the form is
.

Complete the square.

33
 Correct expression in the brackets [1]
Correct values outside of the brackets (may be simplified) [1]

Simplify.

[1]

The turning point of is at the point

[1]
(4 marks)

34
Very Hard Questions
1 The curve y = x 2 − 2x + 1 is drawn on a grid.

A line is drawn on the same grid.

The points of intersection of the line and the curve are used to solve the equation
x 2 − 7x + 5 = 0 .

Find the equation of the line in the form y = mx + c .

y= ..................................................

Answer

We need to manipulate " " to get " " on the left hand side.
Start by adding to both sides

Now subtract 4 from both sides

[1]
(1 mark)

35
2 The graph of y = x2 − x + 1 is shown on the grid.

By drawing a suitable line on the grid, solve the equation x 2 − 2x − 2 = 0 .

x = .................... or x = ....................

Answer

You have the graph of so you need to rearrange the equation

to make one side equal to
To get -x you need to add x to -2x. So add x to both sides.

To get +1 you need to add 3 to -2. So add 3 to both sides.

[1]
The solutions of this equation are the x coordinates of the points on intersections
between the graphs and

36
The line has gradient 1 (so it goes up 1 unit for every 1 unit to the right)
and crosses the y-axis at (0, 3).Use this to draw the line on the graph as it will go
through (0, 3), (1, 4), (2, 5), etc.
Use your graph to find the two points of intersection and find their x-coordinates by
drawing vertical lines to the x-axis.

Drawing the line [1]

or [1]
Range of answers accepted: -0.8 to -0.7 and 2.7 to 2.
(3 marks)

37
(b) On the grid, draw the graph of y = x2 – 2x for values of x from –2 to 4

Answer

Carefully plot the points from your table of values in (a) on the grid, noting the
different scales on the and axes
For example, the first column represents the point

39
 x = −1, x = 3 [1]
Both possible x values must be stated to achieve full mark
(2 marks)

42
4 (a) The diagram shows the graph of y = x 2 − 4x − 2

Use the graph to find estimates for the solutions of

i) x2 − 4x − 2 = 0
ii) x2 − 4x − 6 = 0
Answer

The question states to "use the graph" so do not try to factorise, complete the
square or use the quadratic formula!

i) Thesolution to is where and intersect. As

is the -axis, simply read off the grid the -values where
crosses the -axis Some margin of error is permitted in the answers

43
 x = −0.4, x = 4.4 [1]
one x-value from −0.5 to −0.4 and another x-value from 4.4 to 4.5 [1]

ii)Aswe have the graph of , we need to rearrange so

that appears on its own on one side of the equation

In this case, we add 4 to both sides of

44
Draw the line on the grid

y = 4 drawn on the grid [1]

Read the x values where intersects with . Some margin of error

is permitted in the answers

x = −1.1, x = 5.1
one x-value from −1.0 to −1.2 and another x-value from 5.0 to 5.2 [1]
(3 marks)

45
(b) Use the graph to find estimates for the values of x that satisfy the simultaneous
equations

= x 2 − 4x − 2
y
x+ =6y

Answer

Rearrange to the form and use your knowledge of linear graphs

to plot it on the grid

46
Draw a straight line through 6 on the y-axis with a gradient of −1 on the grid,
noting that the x- and y- axes have a different scale

drawn correctly on the grid [1]

Read the x values where the straight line intersects with . Some
margin of error is permitted in the answers
x = −1.7, x = 4.7

one x-value from −1.6 to −1.8 and another x-value from 4.6 to 4.8 [1]

47
 (3 marks)

5 The curve C has equation y = 4 x − 1 2 − a

( ) where a >4
Using the axes below, sketch the curve C .
On your sketch show clearly, in terms of a ,

i) the coordinates of any points of intersection of C with the coordinate axes,

ii) the coordinates of the turning point.

Answer

This is a quadratic function so will be the shape of a parabola (∪).

You need to find where the graph crosses the coordinate axes.
The graph crosses the y-axis when x = 0.

48
We know that a > 4, so the graph crosses the y axis below zero.
The graph crosses the x-axis when y = 0.

Add a to both sides and divide by 4.

Square root both sides and then add 1 to both sides.

We know that a > 4, so both answers are possible and the graph goes through
the x axis twice.

The turning point of is at the point

We know that a > 4, so -a < -4 and the minimum point must be in the fourth
quadrant.

49
 Draw the parabola by drawing a symmetrical ∪ shape which goes through ,
crosses through and and has a minimum point at
.

Drawing a ∪ shaped-parabola [1]

Finding the correct minimum point [1
Finding any correct intercept with the axes [1
Fully correct graph [1
(4 marks)

6 The curve C has equation y = x 2 – 6x + 4

Using the axes below, sketch the curve C . On your sketch show clearly

i) the exact coordinates of any points of intersection of C with the coordinate axes,

50
ii) the coordinates of the turning point.

Answer

This is a quadratic function so will be the shape of a parabola (∪).

You need to find where the graph crosses the coordinate axes.
The graph crosses the y-axis when x = 0.

So the graph crosses the y axis at the point (0, 4).

The graph crosses the x-axis when y = 0.

This cannot be factorised so complete the square.

51
 [1]
Add 5 to both sides.

[1]

Square root both sides and then add 3 to both sides.

[1]

The graph goes through the x axis twice, at the points and .

The turning point of is at the point

[1]

52
Draw the parabola by drawing a symmetrical ∪ shape which goes through ,
crosses through and and has a minimum point at .

Drawing a ∪ shaped-parabola through (0,4) [1

Fully correct graph [1
(6 marks)

53