IB Maths AA

Practice by topic

Function families and graph transformations practice questions — IB Maths AA

19 free multiple-choice problems on function families and graph transformations, ordered to match IB Maths AA difficulty, each with a full worked solution. No account needed — and there's a fresh problem set every day.

Problems & worked solutions

Problem #0802 UK A-Level

Problem 1Function families and graph transformations

The number of bacteria, NN, in a sample tt hours after observation begins is modelled by

N=400e0.5t.N = 400\,e^{0.5t}.

Find the exact value of tt at which N=1200N = 1200.

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 12ln3\tfrac{1}{2}\ln 3
  2. B. ln3\ln 3
  3. C. 2ln32\ln 3✓ correct
  4. D. ln6\ln 6

Set N=1200N = 1200 and divide by 400400:

1200=400e0.5t1200 = 400\,e^{0.5t}

e0.5t=3e^{0.5t} = 3

Take natural logs of both sides:

0.5t=ln30.5t = \ln 3

t=2ln3t = 2\ln 3

So t=2ln32.20t = 2\ln 3 \approx 2.20 hours.

Problem #0908 US Honors

Problem 2Function families and graph transformations

A bacteria culture doubles in number every 33 hours. If the culture starts with 500500 bacteria, how many bacteria are present after 1212 hours?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 20002000
  2. B. 40004000
  3. C. 80008000✓ correct
  4. D. 60006000

The number of doubling periods is 123=4.\frac{12}{3} = 4. Each period multiplies the population by 22, so N=50024=50016=8000.N = 500 \cdot 2^{4} = 500 \cdot 16 = 8000.

Problem #0247 International

Problem 3Function families and graph transformations

For x(0,1)x \in (0, 1), which inequality is correct?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. x2<x3x^2 < x^3
  2. B. x3<x2x^3 < x^2✓ correct
  3. C. x2=x3x^2 = x^3
  4. D. It depends on the specific value of xx

For x(0,1)x \in (0, 1), multiplying by xx shrinks the value: x3=xx2<x2x^3 = x \cdot x^2 < x^2 since 0<x<10 < x < 1.

Problem #0244 International

Problem 4Function families and graph transformations

For f:(0,+)Rf: (0, +\infty) \to \mathbb{R}, f(x)=1xf(x) = \dfrac{1}{x}, which statement is true?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. ff is strictly increasing on (0,+)(0, +\infty)
  2. B. ff is strictly decreasing on (0,+)(0, +\infty)✓ correct
  3. C. ff has a minimum on (0,+)(0, +\infty)
  4. D. ff is constant on (0,+)(0, +\infty)

f(1)=1f(1) = 1, f(2)=12f(2) = \dfrac{1}{2}. As xx grows, 1x\dfrac{1}{x} shrinks — ff is strictly decreasing on (0,+)(0, +\infty).

Problem #0928 US SAT

Problem 5Function families and graph transformations

A savings account starts with $2,000\$2{,}000 and grows by 10%10\% each year. What is the balance after 22 years?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. $2,200\$2{,}200
  2. B. $2,400\$2{,}400
  3. C. $2,420\$2{,}420✓ correct
  4. D. $2,662\$2{,}662

Growing by 10%10\% each year multiplies the balance by 1.101.10, so after 22 years: 2000×(1.10)22000 \times (1.10)^{2} 2000×1.21=24202000 \times 1.21 = 2420 The balance after 22 years is $2,420\$2{,}420.

(Adding a flat 10%10\% of the original $200\$200 each year is *linear* growth and gives only $2,400\$2{,}400; applying the increase just once gives $2,200\$2{,}200.)

Problem #0765 FR Spé

Problem 6Function families and graph transformations

Solve over R\mathbb{R} the equation e2x4ex+3=0e^{2x} - 4e^{x} + 3 = 0. The solution set is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. {0; ln3}\{0\,;\ \ln 3\}✓ correct
  2. B. {1; 3}\{1\,;\ 3\}
  3. C. {ln3}\{\ln 3\}
  4. D. {1; ln3}\{1\,;\ \ln 3\}

Set X=exX = e^{x}, so XX >> 0 0. The equation becomes X24X+3=0X^2 - 4X + 3 = 0 (X1)(X3)=0(X - 1)(X - 3) = 0 X=1orX=3X = 1 \quad \text{or} \quad X = 3 Both roots are positive, so substitute back: ex=1    x=0e^{x} = 1 \implies x = 0 ex=3    x=ln3e^{x} = 3 \implies x = \ln 3 The solution set is {0; ln3}\{0\,;\ \ln 3\}.

Problem #0827 International

Problem 7Function families and graph transformations

Maya invests £2,000\pounds 2{,}000 in a savings account that pays 5%5\% compound interest per year. The value of her investment after 33 years is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. £2,300.00\pounds 2{,}300.00
  2. B. £2,315.25\pounds 2{,}315.25✓ correct
  3. C. £2,205.00\pounds 2{,}205.00
  4. D. £2,431.01\pounds 2{,}431.01

A=2000×(1+5100)3A = 2000 \times \left(1 + \frac{5}{100}\right)^{3} A=2000×1.053=£2,315.25A = 2000 \times 1.05^{3} = \pounds 2{,}315.25

Problem #0245 International

Problem 8Function families and graph transformations

The solution of x2+3=x+1\sqrt{x^2 + 3} = x + 1 (with x1x \ge -1) is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 1-1
  2. B. 11✓ correct
  3. C. 33
  4. D. No real solution

x2+3=(x+1)2=x2+2x+12=2xx=1x^2 + 3 = (x + 1)^2 = x^2 + 2x + 1 \Rightarrow 2 = 2x \Rightarrow x = 1. Check: 4=2=1+1\sqrt{4} = 2 = 1 + 1 ✓.

Problem #0248 International

Problem 9Function families and graph transformations

The value of f(x)=x2f(x) = x^{-2} at x=3x = 3 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 9-9
  2. B. 19\dfrac{1}{9}✓ correct
  3. C. 6-6
  4. D. 99

f(3)=32=132=19f(3) = 3^{-2} = \dfrac{1}{3^2} = \dfrac{1}{9}.

Problem #0246 International

Problem 10Function families and graph transformations

The maximal domain of f(x)=x24f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 - 4} is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. [2,2][-2, 2]
  2. B. R\mathbb{R}
  3. C. (,2][2,+)(-\infty, -2] \cup [2, +\infty)✓ correct
  4. D. (2,+)(2, +\infty)

x240x2x^2 - 4 \ge 0 \Leftrightarrow x \le -2 or x2x \ge 2. Domain: (,2][2,+)(-\infty, -2] \cup [2, +\infty).

9 more Function families and graph transformations questions in the app

Also covered in Function families and graph transformations practice across every exam.

Not sure where you stand? Take the free 10-question placement test — no account, ~15 minutes.