4.06 Graphs and characteristics of cube root functions

Lesson

The basic cube root function has the form $y=\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x

Originally the cube root was defined as the side length of a cube whose volume was $x$x, as shown in the diagram.

Thus we have $\sqrt[3]{x}\times\sqrt[3]{x}\times\sqrt[3]{x}=x$3x×3x×3x=x.

Today we define the cube root to include negative numbers, so that for example $\sqrt[3]{-8}=-2$38=2 and $\sqrt[3]{8}=2$38=2

The graph of $f\left(x\right)=\sqrt[3]{x}$f(x)=3√x

Positive cube roots greater than $1$1 are smaller than their argument, for example $\sqrt[3]{27}=3$327=3. Negative cube roots less than $-1$1 behave similarly, so that $\sqrt[3]{-27}=-3$327=3

If we let $f\left(x\right)=\sqrt[3]{x}$f(x)=3x, then $f\left(-x\right)=-\sqrt[3]{x}$f(x)=3x, and so the function is an odd function. It exhibits rotational symmetry about the origin.

The table of values can help us to see this:

$x$x $-27$27 $-8$8 $-1$1 $0$0 $1$1 $8$8 $27$27
$f\left(x\right)=\sqrt[3]{x}$f(x)=3x $-3$3 $-2$2 $-1$1 $0$0 $1$1 $2$2 $3$3

Putting these facts together, we should be able to understand why the cubic graph has the shape shown here:

Using the graph we can identify the key characteristics of the square root function, $f\left(x\right)=\sqrt[3]{x}$f(x)=3x.

Characteristic $f\left(x\right)=\sqrt[3]{x}$f(x)=3x
Domain

Words: $x$x can be any real number
Interval form: $\left(-\infty,\infty\right)$(,)

Range Words: $y$y can be any real number
Interval form: $\left(-\infty,\infty\right)$(,)
Extrema None
$x$x-intercept $\left(0,0\right)$(0,0)
$y$y-intercept $\left(0,0\right)$(0,0)
Increasing/decreasing Increasing over its domain
End behavior

As $x\to\infty$x, $y\to\infty$y

As $x\to-\infty$x$y\to-\infty$y

Comparing $\sqrt{x}$√x, $\sqrt[3]{x}$3√x and $\sqrt[4]{x}$4√x

As a comparison, this second graph compares the positions of the graphs of $y=\sqrt{x}$y=x$y=\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x and $y=\sqrt[4]{x}$y=4x within the interval $-1\le x\le1$1x1. Note that the square root and fourth root functions exist only in the first quadrant.

You can see that in this region $y=\sqrt[4]{x}$y=4x rises at a faster rate inside this unit square interval than either of  $y=\sqrt{x}$y=x and $y=\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x. The graph of $y=\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x rises vertically through the origin.

Use this applet below see the different shapes for different powers, as well as how to impose transformations.

What we have already learned about transformations holds true for the cube root function.

Practice questions

question 1

Consider the function $y=\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x.

1. Complete the table of values.

Round any values to two decimal places if necessary.

 $x$x $y$y $-100$−100 $-10$−10 $-8$−8 $-3$−3 $-1$−1 $0$0 $1$1 $3$3 $8$8 $10$10 $100$100 $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$ $\editable{}$
2. The graph of $y=\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x is given.

Is $y=\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x an increasing function or a decreasing function?

Increasing

A

Decreasing

B

Increasing

A

Decreasing

B

question 2

Consider the graph of the function $y=-\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x.

1. Is $y=-\sqrt[3]{x}$y=3x an increasing function or a decreasing function?

Increasing function

A

Decreasing function

B

Increasing function

A

Decreasing function

B
2. How would you describe the rate of decrease of the function?

As $x$x increases, the function decreases at a faster and faster rate.

A

As $x$x increases, the function decreases at a slower and slower rate.

B

As $x$x increases, the function decreases more and more rapidly up to $x=0$x=0, and from $x=0$x=0 onwards, the rate of decrease slows down.

C

As $x$x increases, the function decreases at a constant rate.

D

As $x$x increases, the function decreases at a faster and faster rate.

A

As $x$x increases, the function decreases at a slower and slower rate.

B

As $x$x increases, the function decreases more and more rapidly up to $x=0$x=0, and from $x=0$x=0 onwards, the rate of decrease slows down.

C

As $x$x increases, the function decreases at a constant rate.

D

question 3

Graph the function $f\left(x\right)=\sqrt[3]{-x}-5$f(x)=3x5.

2. What is the domain?

All real numbers.

A

$x\ge-5$x5

B

$x\le0$x0

C

$x\ge0$x0

D

All real numbers.

A

$x\ge-5$x5

B

$x\le0$x0

C

$x\ge0$x0

D
3. What is the range?

$y\ge-5$y5

A

All real numbers.

B

$y\ge0$y0

C

$y\le-5$y5

D

$y\ge-5$y5

A

All real numbers.

B

$y\ge0$y0

C

$y\le-5$y5

D

Outcomes

MGSE9-12.F.IF.7

Graph functions expressed algebraically and show key features of the graph both by hand and by using technology.