Graph Features Vocabulary Worksheet
Algebra 1 • Sections 3-4 & 3-5
Graph Features Vocabulary Check
Name:
Date:
Period:
Directions: Read each question carefully. Select the best answer that matches the mathematical feature or definition.
Questions 1–5
1
Which statement best defines an x-intercept of a function's graph?
A. A point where the graph crosses or touches the horizontal x-axis
B. The single location where the graph intersects the vertical y-axis
C. The highest point reached by the curve across its entire domain
D. A vertical line that splits a symmetric parabola into equal halves
2
What is a y-intercept on a coordinate grid?
A. The interval where the function goes upward from left to right
B. Where a graph crosses the vertical y-axis (where \(x = 0\))
C. Any valley on the graph where the function changes direction
D. The values used to divide the domain into positive and negative sections
3
In graph analysis, what does it mean for a function to be positive over an interval?
A. The graph rises upward from left to right
B. Parts of the graph that lay above the horizontal x-axis
C. The x-values of the graph are all greater than zero
D. The graph has arrows pointing up at both ends
4
A graph is described as negative on a given interval. What does this indicate?
A. Parts of the graph that lay below the horizontal x-axis
B. The graph slopes downward from left to right
C. The graph is located exclusively in Quadrant II and Quadrant III
D. The function does not cross the vertical y-axis
5
Which scenario describes a function that displays line symmetry?
A. The graph passes directly through the origin \((0, 0)\)
B. The line goes infinitely in both positive and negative directions
C. Each side of the graph could be folded down a vertical line and match up on itself
D. The graph has an equal number of positive and negative x-intercepts
CP Algebra 1 • Chapter 3 Vocabulary Review Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Page 2 →
Algebra 1 Review • Graph Features Vocabulary (Continued)
Page 2 of 2
6
A function is said to be increasing on an interval when:
A. The graph of a function goes UP from left to right
B. The output values of the function are all positive numbers
C. The graph lies completely above the horizontal x-axis
D. The function has a positive line of vertical symmetry
7
How can you visually identify where a function is decreasing?
A. The graph is located under the horizontal axis
B. The graph of a function goes DOWN from left to right
C. The x-coordinates are moving toward negative infinity
D. The curve flattens out into a horizontal straight line
8
In algebra, what does the collective term extrema refer to?
A. The relative high and low points of a function (minima and/or maxima)
B. The outer boundaries of the coordinate plane's x- and y-axes
C. The points where a graph crosses the x-axis and y-axis
D. The arrows representing what happens at the far ends of a graph
9
What informal visual nickname is often used to describe a relative minimum?
A. The "hills" in graphs (can have more than one)
B. The "valleys" in graphs (can have more than one)
C. The "crossroads" where the curve intersects an axis
D. The "plateaus" where output values stay constant
10
Which description correctly characterizes a relative maximum?
A. The "hills" in graphs (can have more than one)
B. The single point with the largest positive x-value
C. The interval where the function remains constant
D. The "valleys" where the graph touches its lowest coordinate
11
What does end behavior describe about a function?
A. The exact point where the graph crosses the vertical y-axis
B. The fold line where a graph shows vertical line symmetry
C. What happens to \(y\) as \(x\) increases and as \(x\) decreases at each end
D. The distance between consecutive relative maxima and minima
CP Algebra 1 • 3-4 & 3-5 Vocabulary Practice End of Assessment
Graph Features Answer Key
Teacher Reference & Answer Key
Graph Features Vocabulary Key
CP Algebra 1 • Ch 3 (3-4 & 3-5)
Quick Key:
1: A 2: B 3: B 4: A 5: C 6–11 on P.2
1 Term: X-intercept
Correct: A
Where a graph crosses or touches the x-axis.
Teacher Note & Misconception: Students often swap x- and y-intercepts. Remind them that x-intercepts have a y-value of 0 and define the boundary numbers where functions switch between positive and negative values.
2 Term: Y-intercept
Correct: B
Where a graph crosses the vertical y-axis (\(x = 0\)).
Teacher Note & Misconception: A function can have at most one y-intercept (by the vertical line test), whereas it can have multiple x-intercepts.
3 Term: Positive
Correct: B
Parts of a graph that lay above the horizontal x-axis.
Teacher Note & Misconception: High-frequency error: students frequently confuse "positive" with "increasing." Clarify that a graph can be decreasing while still positive (sloping downward, but still above the x-axis).
4 Term: Negative
Correct: A
Parts of a graph that lay below the horizontal x-axis.
Teacher Note & Misconception: Like "positive," students confuse "negative" with "decreasing." Emphasize that "negative" asks where output values \(y < 0\), irrespective of slope.
5 Term: Line Symmetry
Correct: C
Each side of the graph could be "folded" down a vertical line and match up on itself.
Teacher Note & Misconception: Emphasize that in Algebra 1 parabolas, the line of symmetry is always vertical with equation \(x = h\), passing through the vertex.
Graph Features Answer Key & Facilitation Notes Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Page 2 →
Teacher Answer Key • Questions 6–11 (Continued)
Page 2 of 2
Quick Key (Part 2):
6: A 7: B 8: A 9: B 10: A 11: C
6 Increasing
Key: A
Where the graph goes UP from left to right. Trace strictly in the direction of increasing x.
7 Decreasing
Key: B
Where the graph goes DOWN from left to right. Common error is tracing right-to-left.
8 Extrema
Key: A
Collective term for all relative high and low points (relative minima and/or maxima) of a function.
9 Relative Minimum
Key: B
The "valleys" in graphs. Can have more than one across the full domain of a higher-degree function.
