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The display shows the graph of y = (x^2+a)(x-b) , where a and b are constants. Graphs like these are called cubic graphs.
Investigate the effect of changing a and b.
Make sure that you are clear about these aspects of a cubic graph:
  • its basic shape
  • its symmetry
  • the number of places where the curve crosses the x-axis

Software/Applets used on this page

JSXGraph
This page uses JSXGraph


JSXGraph is a cross-browser library for interactive geometry, function plotting, charting, and data visualization in a web browser. It is implemented completely in JavaScript, does not rely on any other library. It uses SVG and VML and is fully HTML5 compliant.

This question appears in the following syllabi:

SyllabusModuleSectionTopicExam Year
AQA GCSE (9-1) Foundation (UK)A: GraphsA12: Sketching Graphs of FunctionsGraphs of Cubics-
CBSE IX (India)AlgebraPolynomialsConstant, linear, quadratic and cubic-
CIE IGCSE (9-1) Maths (0626 UK)2 Algebra and GraphsB2.10 Further GraphingGraphs of Cubics-
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Foundation (UK)A: GraphsA12: Sketching Graphs of FunctionsGraphs of Cubics-
GCSE Higher (UK)AlgebraGraphsCubic curves-
OCR GCSE (9-1) Foundation (UK)7: Graphs of Equations and Functions7.01c: Polynomials and Exponential FunctionsGraphs of Cubics-
Universal (all site questions)GGraphsCubic curves-