Part 3: Functions and transformations
Section 1: Parent Functions
To make sure what you're looking at on the graph is a parent function, do a vertical line test. Draw a vertical line anywhere on the graph. If the line touches more the one point on the tried function, it's not a function.
Section 2: Vertices
When trying to find the minimum or maximum; also known as a vertex, of your function on the calculator you need to push the "2nd" button and go down to mins/maxes. In this case you would push the min or minimum button, like the picture below.
Then once you hit enter it will go back to your graph and the will be a little cursor on your function and it will say "left bound?", like the picture below.
And you will move that cursor to the left side of your function and hit enter. Then it will ask you another question that will state "right bound?", like the picture below.
Then you will move the cursor to the right side of your function and hit enter. Then it will ask you "guess?", and you will hit enter and it will give you the lowest point of your function. In this case the point or vertex is (0,0).
Section 3: Intervals
To find the intervals you will need to find the vertex of the equation (refer to section 2 for help), but you'll only need the value of y because you're a counting left to right seeing where the function is increasing or decreasing. Find the vertex and see where it's going up or down from the vertex, reading it left to right, and count the y values.
Section 4: Zeros
When trying to find the zeros of the function, which is where there lines cross the x axis, you need to push the "2nd" button. Push the "calc" or "trace" button. Scroll down to "zero", which is the second choice on the list. Then hit enter and it'll ask "left bound?" and you need to put it to the right of where it hits the x-axis, and hit enter. Then it'll ask "right bound?" and you will move it to the right of where it hits the x-axis, and hit enter. Then it'll ask you "guess?" and you will hit enter, and it'll give you where it crosses the x-axis, which in this case is (0,0). And for the other zero follow the same steps and