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## Algebra (all content)

### Course: Algebra (all content)>Unit 12

Lesson 5: Graphs of radical functions

# Radical functions & their graphs

Practice some problems before going into the exercise.

## Introduction

### Practice question 1: Square-root function

The graph of y, equals, square root of, x, end square root is shown below.
A square root function graph on an x y coordinate plane. It has an endpoint (zero, zero) and passes through (four, two).
Which of the following is the graph of y, equals, minus, square root of, x, plus, 3, end square root, minus, 5?

### Practice question 2: Cube-root function

The graph of y, equals, cube root of, x, end cube root is shown below.
A cube root function graph on an x y coordinate plane. Its middle point is at (zero, zero). It passes through (negative eight, negative two) and (eight, two).
Which of the following is the graph of y, equals, minus, cube root of, x, plus, 2, end cube root, plus, 5?

## Want to join the conversation?

• I am confused as how to graph a cube root equation when there is a negative exponent outside of the radical. Can someone help?
• (cbrt(a+5))^(-8) does not equal (cbrt(a+5))^(1/8)

(cbrt(a+5))^(-8) = 1/((cbrt(a+5))^8) which then equals 1/((a+5)^(8/3))

**cbrt means cube root**
• I'm really confused with the cube roots part; Sal didn't talk about it any of the videos, I'm not finding the "Show Answer" here helpful, and I can't figure it out.
• Cube roots are pretty similar to square roots, except that their value is the number that, when multiplied by itself three times, is equal to the number under the radical, just as the square root of a number is the number that, when multiple by itself twice, is equal to the number under the radical. For example, the cube root of 8 is 2, because 2 x 2 x 2 is 8, just as the square root of 4 is 2, because 2 x 2 is 4. So, to graph a cube root function, you find the perfect cubes (numbers like 1 (1 x 1 x 1), 8 (2 x 2 x 2), 27 (3 x 3 x3), -1 (-1 x -1 x -1), -8 (-2 x -2 x -2), -27 (-3 x -3 x -3) etc.) and plot them on the graph. Then, just "connect the dots" and you have the graph (or at least a good approximation.) All the rules of shifting and stretching functions that apply to square root functions apply to cube root functions as well. (Note, however, that cube root functions give value outputs for negative values for x, since you are multiplying it three times, ensuring a real number value.)

I hope that helps.
• Is there a secret method to graphing the cubic root and the square root without a graphing calculator?
• You can graph just about anything by hand by evaluating the function at enough points and plotting all of them.
• How do I graph a cube root function that has x as a negative as opposed to the negative being outside the radical?
• I am confused on how we are supposed to change the graph when the x on the inside of the radical is negative.
• sqrt(-x) is reflected over the y axis, in fact any function with a -x inside of it (like (-x)^2 or 1/(-x) ) is reflected over the y axis.

You want to be careful though, if you had something like sqrt(-5x+25) you may think it is moved to the left by 25, but this is not the case. If you have a number multiplying x you want to factor it out. so it becomes sqrt(-5(x-5)) so it is moved to the right by 5. the -5 means it is flipped over the y axis, because it's negative, and it is squished horizontally by a factor of 5.

when you have a function like this you want to do the stretching/ shrinking first, then the shifting. In fact with all graph transformations you want to start witht he parent function, in this case that's sqrt(x), then in oder you want to apply the vertical stretch, horizontal shrink, horizontal shift and finally verical shift. The main point is doing the shifts after the stretching/ shrinking. so in sqrt(-5(x-5) you want to imagine sqrt(x) and squish it horizontally by 5 after flipping it over the y axis. this means you take all points and divide the x terms by -5. so (1,1) becomes (-1/5, 1) then you do the horizontal shift of -5, which is 5 to the right. this adds 5 to all x values, so (-1/5, 1) becomes (24/5, 1).

I want to repeat, it's super important to do the stretches/ shrinks first then the shifts.

Let me know if this didn't help.
• Is there a video on cube root functions? Or do you not need to know about cube root functions for the question? Basically, I'm asking if the question wants you to know anything about cube root graphs.
• For this question, knowledge of cube-root functions is not required. The question is simply trying to show the connection between square and cube root functions. If you take the graph of a y = x^3 function and reflect it over the line y = x, it will look like a sideways y = x^3 graph (or cube-root graph), like how a "sideways" parabola (y = x^2) is a radical function (well, half of a sideways parabola, anyway, because of domain issues.)

Basically, just imagine the graph of y = x^3, turn it 90 degrees clockwise, and do translations as necessary.
• What's the order of operation for function ?
• In practice question 2: how is C the answer? for example, using a value of 7 for x, the equation goes as follows: 7+2=9 cube root of 9=3 multiply by -1 = -3 plus 5 = 2?