Graphs of a Function

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      If (x,y) is a point or ordered pair on the coordinate plane P then x is the first coordinate and y is the second coordinate. (if you didn't know that, it is not advisable to take the Calc AP AB Test)

      The Cartesian Coordinate Plane is the system which is used for graphs. The coordinate plane is divided into 4 quadrants which are called I, II, III, and IV quadrants. Observe the graphs below.



The following three graphs illustrate symmetry.


      Another important part of a graph is the asymptote. An asymptote is a line which will never be reached by the curve as it tends toward infinity.

      A vertical asymptote is a vertical line x = a, such that the functional value |f(x)| grows indefinitely large as x approaches the fixed value a. In the examples below, the vertical asymptote, a, is 1.