■ Algebra & Functions Study Guide
■ LINES
✏■ Slope from Two Points
Formula: m = (y■ - y■) / (x■ - x■)
Example: Through (2,-3) and (5,-1): m = (-1 -(-3)) / (5-2) = 2/3 ■
✏■ Slope-Intercept Form
y = mx + b
Example: x+5y=10 → y = -1/5x + 2 ■
✏■ Point-Slope Form
y - y■ = m(x - x■)
Example: (1,2), m=7 → y - 2 = 7(x - 1) ■
✏■ Parallel Lines
Same slope. Example: parallel to y=7x-1 through (1,2): y = 7x - 5 ■
✏■ Perpendicular Lines
Negative reciprocal slope. Example: ■ to y=4/3x-5 through (3,-1): y = -3/4x + 5/4 ■
■ QUADRATICS
✏■ Quadratic Formula
x = (-b ± √(b²-4ac)) / 2a
Example: 5a²-10a-11=0 → a = 1 ± 4√5/5 ■
✏■ Complete the Square
Move constant, add (b/2)², then root.
Example: n²-12n+19=9 → (n-6)²=26 → n=6±√26 ■
✏■ Square Root Method
Use when only x² and constant.
Example: 7r²-9=61 → r=±√10 ■
✏■ Factoring by Grouping (ac method)
7a²+19a-6=0 → (7a-2)(a+3)=0 → a=2/7, -3 ■
■ FUNCTION OPERATIONS
(f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x), (f-g)(x)=f(x)-g(x)
(f·g)(x)=f(x)g(x), (f/g)(x)=f(x)/g(x)
Example: (2x²-4)(3x-5)=6x³-10x²-12x+20 ■
■ COMPOSITION & INVERSE
✏■ Composition
(f■g)(x)=f(g(x))
Example: f(t)=t+1, g(t)=t²-4t → (f■g)(-6)=61 ■
✏■ Inverse
Swap x,y then solve.
Example: g(n)=(n+2)³+3 → g■¹(x)=³√(x-3)-2 ■
✏■ Inverse Check
f(g(x))=x and g(f(x))=x → they are inverses ■
■ RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
✏■ Vertical Asymptotes (VA) → Denominator = 0 (not cancelled)
✏■ Holes → Common factor cancels
✏■ Horizontal Asymptote (HA)
• top < bottom → y=0
• same → ratio
• top > bottom → none
✏■ Domain → x ≠ values making bottom 0
Example 1: (x³+x²-12x)/(-3x²+6x+9)
→ VA x=-1, hole x=3, no HA, domain x≠-1,3 ■
Example 2: (x+1)/(-4x-12)
→ VA x=-3, HA y=-1/4, domain x≠-3 ■