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Grade 12 · Calculus
Sketching Cubic Graphs (Grade 12)
MEMORANDUM
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  / 16

Answer all questions. Show all your working — marks are awarded for method as well as the final answer. Teacher copy: accept any correct equivalent method.

  1. 1
    Determine the y-intercept of f(x) = x³ − 3x² − 9x + 5.
    (2)
    -3-2-112345-20-1010xyy = x³ − 3x² − 9x + 5(−1 ; 10) max(3 ; −22) min(1 ; −6) infl
    f(0) = 5✓✓ (2)
  2. 2
    Determine the coordinates of the stationary points of f(x) = x³ − 3x² − 9x + 5.
    (2)
    -3-2-112345-20-1010xyy = x³ − 3x² − 9x + 5(−1 ; 10) max(3 ; −22) min(1 ; −6) infl
    f′(x) = 3(x−3)(x+1) = 0 → (−1 ; 10) and (3 ; −22)✓✓ (2)
  3. 3
    State, with a reason, which stationary point is the local maximum.
    (2)
    (−1 ; 10), because f″(−1) = −12 < 0 (concave down).✓✓ (2)
  4. 4
    Determine the coordinates of the point of inflection.
    (2)
    -3-2-112345-20-1010xyy = x³ − 3x² − 9x + 5(−1 ; 10) max(3 ; −22) min(1 ; −6) infl
    f″(x) = 6x − 6 = 0 → x = 1 → (1 ; −6)✓✓ (2)
  5. 5
    For which values of x is f decreasing?
    (2)
    −1 < x < 3✓✓ (2)
  6. 6
    For which values of x is f concave up?
    (2)
    f″(x) > 0 → x > 1✓✓ (2)
  7. 7
    Where does the point of inflection of a cubic always lie relative to the turning points?
    (2)
    Exactly midway between them.✓✓ (2)
  8. 8
    Determine the stationary points of g(x) = x³ − 12x.
    (2)
    g′ = 3x² − 12 = 0 → x = ±2 → (2 ; −16) and (−2 ; 16)✓✓ (2)
TOTAL: 16 marks
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