Functions PDF
Functions PDF
Preliminaries
Functions and Relations
A relation is any set of ordered pairs ( x, y) where x
belong to one set and y belongs to another set. The set of all
x is called the domain while the set of all
first elements
second elements y will constitute the range. A relation can
Example 1.
F (1,1),(1,2),(2,3),(3,7)
Example 2.
G (0, 2),(2,0),(3,1),(4,2)
E ( x, y) | y x 9
Example 4.
x
y
x2 4
Example 5.
y x2 9
Example 6.
1
y
x5
each ordered pair is unique; while the set of ordered pairs (1, 2),(1,3),(3,5) is a mere relation since in
the latter, (1, 2) and (1,3) are two ordered pairs which have the same first element.
Another way to determine whether a relation is a function or not is by using the vertical line
test. If a vertical line intersects the graph of a relation at more than one point, then the relation is not a
function.
Every function will be denoted by a symbol which is usually a letter such as: f , F , g , G, h, H and
others. Therefore, if f is a function involving variables x and y , that is, ( x, y) f , then we can write
the second coordinate y by the symbol f ( x) which is read as “ f of x .” As a result, the ordered pair
( x, y) can be written as ( x, f ( x)) since y f ( x) . This equation y f ( x) is the most common way of
writing a function. The notation f ( x) , called a function value, is due to the Swiss mathematician and
physicist Leonhard Euler (1707 – 173).
function f .
f ( x h) f ( x )
Example 10. Find where h 0 , if (a) f ( x) 4x2 5x 7 ; (b) f ( x) x
h
Graph of a Function
The graph of a function, or in general an equation, is the geometric representation of all the points
that satisfy the given function or equation.
If f is a function, then the graph of f is the set of all points ( x, y) in the plane R 2 for which
( x, y) is an ordered pair in f .
From this definition, the graph of a function f is the same as the graph of the equation
y f ( x) .
For simple functions, like those given as a set of few elements like F (1,2),(3,3),(4,2),(2,4)
the graph is done by just plotting these four points in the xy -plane.
Similarly, when the function is given in equation form but is linear like x 2 y 2 , the graph will
be easily done by getting two points, plotting them in the xy -plane and then joining them using a
However, when the equation is of higher degree, the tabular form or point-plotting method may
not be enough. Other information about the graph of the given equation is needed. For example, the
intercepts will help determine where the curve will cross the x and y axes. Tests for symmetry will
help minimize the tabular values needed. Asymptotes or guiding lines will determine boundaries in the
xy -plane where the graph can go. Even the domain and range will always be of help.
Example 11. Find the domain and range of y x 1 . Sketch its graph and determine if it is a
function or not.
You have seen that the domain of a function can usually be determined by the function’s
definition. Often the range can b determined by the graph of the function as in the next example
involving a piecewise-defined function, one that is defined by using more than one expression.
Example 11.
Let f be the function defined by
x 1 if x 3
f ( x) 5 if x 3
2 x 1 if 3 x
Determine the domain and range of f and sketch its graph.
3x 2 if x 1
g ( x)
x
2
if 1 x
Determine the domain and range of g and sketch its graph.
x2 9
Example 13. The function h is defined by h( x) . Determine the domain and range of h and
x 3
sketch its graph.
x 3 if x3
Example 14. Let H be the function defined by H ( x)
2 if x3
x2 if x2
Example 15. The function f is defined by f ( x)
7 if x2
Example 16. Determine the domain and range of the function f such that f ( x) x .