Functions

CAPE UNIT 1

Functions

A relation is a set of ordered pairs.

Consider the following set of ordered pairs:

(1, 3), (2, 5), (3, 7), (4, 9)

The set of first elements in the ordered pairs is known as the domain. In this example the

domain is {1, 2, 3, 4}.

The set of second elements in the ordered pairs is known as the range. In this example the

range is {3, 5, 7, 9}.

This relation can be represented diagrammatically by the mapping diagram below.

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1 3

2 5

3 7

4 9

𝑌
𝑋

Elements in the domain, 𝑋, are mapped onto elements in the range, 𝑌.

The co-domain of a relation refers to the set of possible output values for the given input

values.

The range refers to the set of actual output values for the given input values.

Figure 1:

4
1
5 The domain is {1, 2, 3}
2
6 The co-domain is {4, 5, 6, 7}
3
7
The range is (4, 5, 7)

𝑋
𝑌

Figure 2:

1 4 The domain is {1, 2, 3}

2 7
The co-domain is {4, 7, 10}
3 10
The range is (4, 7, 10)

𝑋 𝑌

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A relation is a function if and only if every element of the domain is mapped onto only one

element in the range. i.e. every input value 𝑥 is mapped onto a single output value 𝑦.

One-to-one relation

1 3 This type of relation is also a

3 7 function.
4 11

Many-to-one relation

1 This type of relation is also a

5
2 function.
6
3
7 Note that 2 and 3, (many), are
4
both mapped onto 6, (one).

One-to-many relation

5
1 This type of relation is NOT a
6
2 function.
7
3
8 Note that 3, (one), is mapped

onto both 7 and 8 (many).

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Many-to-many relation

1 3
3 This type of relation is NOT a
5
5 8 function.
6 10

If we are given the ordered pairs or the mapping diagram for a relation, then we can

determine whether or not the relation is a function by classifying it into one of the four types

of relations.

If the relation is illustrated as a graph, then we can perform a vertical line test to determine

whether or not it is a function.

If we draw a vertical line from any given 𝑥 value within the

given domain on the horizontal axis, the line should intersect
the graph at only one point.
If the line intersects the graph at more than one point, then
the relation is NOT a function.

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Exercise 1:

1. Draw the mapping diagram for each of the following relations:

a) {(1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 9), (4, 11)}

b) 𝑓(1) = 3, 𝑓(2) = 6, 𝑓(3) = 8, 𝑓(4) = 10

c) {(𝑎, 𝑤), (𝑎, 𝑥), (𝑏, 𝑤), (𝑐, 𝑧)}

2. For each of the following, classify which of the four types of relations is reprrsented

and hence, state which of them are functions:

a) { (2, 5), (3, 7), (3, 8), (4, 10)}

b) {(1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 6)}

c)

d)

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e)

f)

3. For each of the following, state the domain, codomain and range:

(b) {(1, 6), (2, 11), (3, 16)}

(c)

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(e)

4. Which of the following graphs represent a function?

a)

b)

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c)

d)

A function can be defined as:

o A set of ordered pairs

o A mapping diagram

o A graph

o 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑜𝑟 𝑓: 𝑥 ⟶

e.g. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 1 is read as “𝑓 of 𝑥 is equal to four times 𝑥 plus 1”

𝑓: 𝑥 ⟶ 4𝑥 + 1 is read as “𝑓 is the function such that 𝑥 is mapped onto 4 times 𝑥 plus

1”

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Example 1: Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2, evaluate 𝑓(3).

Example 2: If 𝑔: 𝑥 ⟶ 5 − 𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2, find the range of 𝑔.

Aside: Curve Sketching by Completing the Square

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 may be rewritten as 𝑎(𝑥 + ℎ)2 + 𝑘 where

𝑏 4𝑎𝑐 − 𝑏 2
ℎ= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 =
2𝑎 4𝑎

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3

= (𝑥 + 1)2 + 2
Equation of axis of symmetry is 𝑥 = −1 [𝑥 = −ℎ]
Minimum point on curve at 𝑦 = 2 [𝑦 = 𝑘]

Example 3: Given that ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, determine the range of ℎ.

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Example 4: The function 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 2 has a domain −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3. Find the range of

this function.

Example 5: The function 𝑔: 𝑥 ⟶ 3𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 + 1 has a domain 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 7. Determine the

range of 𝑔.

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A rational function looks like

𝑓(𝑥)
𝑔(𝑥)

o A rational function is equal to zero whenever its numerator is equal to zero.

o A rational function is undefined whenever its denominator is equal to zero. You

CANNOT EVER divide by zero!!

Example 6: The function

3𝑥 − 2
ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥+5

such that 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

a) Evaluate ℎ(−2).

b) Find the value(s) of 𝑥 for which ℎ(𝑥) = 0.

c) For what value(s) of 𝑥 is ℎ(𝑥) undefined?

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d) Calculate the value of 𝑥 for which ℎ(𝑥) = 6.

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Example 7: Given that

3 − 5𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ∈ ℝ
2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 1

calculate

a) 𝑓(2)

b) the value(s) of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

c) the value(s) of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(𝑥) is undefined.

Example 8: If

3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2
𝑓: 𝑥 ⟶
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5

and 𝑥 is defined on the set of real numbers, determine:

a) the value(s) of 𝑥 for which 𝑓 is equal to zero

b) the value(s) of 𝑥 for which 𝑓 is undefined.

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A piecewise function is a function defined by multiple sub-functions, where each sub-

function applies to a different interval in the domain.

For example

(a solid dot means "including",

an open dot means "not including")

Example 9: 𝑓 is the function such that

(𝑥 − 2)3 + 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2
𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 − 5, 𝑖𝑓 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 2}
−2𝑥 2 − 7, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0

Find:

a) 𝑓(−5)

b) 𝑓(1)

c) 𝑓(2)

d) 𝑓(7)

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One-to-one functions are also known as injective functions. Each 𝑥 value is mapped onto a

unique 𝑦 value.

If we are given the graph of a function, then we can use the horizontal line test to determine

whether or not it is injective.

Quadratic functions with unrestricted domains can never be injective. However, if we restrict

the domain, then we can make them one-to-one. i.e. we can restrict the domain so that the

graph passes the horizontal line test.

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Example 10: State the domain for which the function 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 5 is injective.

Example 11: Show that the function 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 3 is NOT one-to-one.

Surjective functions are also known as onto functions. A function is surjective if the range is

the same as the co-domain. [If we are not told otherwise, we assume that the co-domain is the

entire set of real numbers.]

Example 12: Is the function below a surjective function? If not, is it possible to make it

surjective?

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A function is bijective if it is both injective and surjective. i.e. if a function is one-to-one and

its co-domain and range are identical, then the function is also said to be bijective.

If a function is bijective, then its inverse exists.

Example 13: Show that 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 5 is a bijective function.

Exercise 2:

1. Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 11𝑥 − 5, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, determine the range of 𝑓.

2. Given that 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 8, 𝑥 > 4, determine the range of 𝑔.

3. Determine the range for each of the following functions:

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2

c) ℎ: 𝑥 ⟶ −2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 ≥ 2

d) 𝑘: 𝑥 ⟶ 5𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ≤ 0

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4. Given that

2𝑥 + 3
𝑓(𝑥) = ,𝑥 ∈ ℝ
𝑥2 − 4

determine:

a) The value of 𝑓(−3)

b) The value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

c) The value(s) of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(𝑥) is undefined

d) The value of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(𝑥) = 1.8.

5. For each of the following functions, state whether or not they are

i) Injective

ii) Surjective

iii) Bijective:

(a) (b)

(c)

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(d)

(e)
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

6. Determine whether the following functions are injective.

If they are not injective, state a domain that would make them injective.

a) 𝑓: 𝑥 ⟶ 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 − 2𝑥, 𝑥 > 0

c) ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5, 𝑥 ≤ 2

d)

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(e)

The inverse of a function shows us how each 𝑦 value in the range is mapped back to its

corresponding 𝑥 value in the domain. Many-to-one functions have no inverse unless their

domain is restricted. Recall that a function only has an inverse if it is bijective.

Example 14: Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 − 2𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, determine the inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).

Hence, evaluate 𝑓 −1 (3).

There are certain functions whose inverse is identical to the function itself.

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Example 15: Derive an expression for 𝑔−1 (𝑥) given that

𝑥+3
𝑔(𝑥) = ,𝑥 ≠ 1
𝑥−1

Hence, determine 𝑔−1 (2) and the value of 𝑥 for which 𝑔−1 (𝑥) = 0.

Example 16: Derive an expression for 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) if

3𝑥 − 7 1
𝑓: 𝑥 ⟶ ,𝑥 ≠ −
2𝑥 + 1 2

For what value of 𝑥 is 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 2?

If the inverse of the function 𝑓(𝑥) exists, then the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is obtained by

reflecting the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.

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Example 17: Determine a domain over which the function ℎ(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 3 is injective.

Draw the graph of 𝑦 = ℎ(𝑥) over this domain and show the relationship with the graph of

𝑦 = ℎ−1 (𝑥) on the same pair of axes.

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