Step by step
The question
Question: sketch the graph of y = x³ − 3x.
1 Where it crosses the axes
Where it crosses the y-axis: put x = 0.
We get y = 0.
Where it crosses the x-axis: y = 0.
Every term has an x: take it out.
So x = 0, or x² = 3: x = plus or minus √3, about 1.73.
2 Turning points
The slope: f′(x) = 3x² − 3, by the power rule.
Turning points: where the slope is 0.
Take out the 3.
x² − 1 is a difference of two squares: x² minus 1 squared.
So it is (x − 1)(x + 1).
A product is 0 only when one of its parts is 0.
So x = −1 or x = 1.
To tell max from min: f″(x) = 6x.
f″(−1) is negative: a cap, a maximum.
Its y is 2.
f″(1) is positive: a cup, a minimum.
Its y is −2.
So: a maximum at (−1, 2), and a minimum at (1, −2).
3 Inflection points
The bending changes where f″ is 0.
So x = 0.
Its y is 0.
Careful!
Turning points are where f′ is 0.
The inflection point is where f″ is 0.
They are different points.
4 The two ends
Far out, the x³ term wins.
On the right the graph goes up for ever.
On the left it goes down.
5 Draw the graph
Now plot the key points.
Where it crosses the x-axis.
The maximum.
The minimum.
The inflection point.
Join them with a smooth curve: up to the max, down to the min, then up for ever.
6 Check
Let's check one more point: x = 2 gives y = 2.
It sits on our curve.
Right!
Let's look back.
First: where it crosses the axes.
Then: turning points.
Then: inflection points.
Then: the two ends.
Then: draw the graph.
Last: check.