MAT039

Lesson 1:
RELATIONS AND
AIDS IN GRAPHING
Source: Canoy, Jr., S. R., et. al., A First Course in Analytic Geometry &
Calculus, Department of Mathematics, MSU-Iligan Institute of
Technology, 2013
MA. CRISTINA DUYAGUIT
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, CSM
Relations

Definition: The set of all ordered-pairs (", $), where " and $ are real
numbers, is called the number plane or the &'-plane. It is denoted by
the symbol ℝ) . Each individual ordered-pair (", $) is called a point in the
plane. The number " is the abscissa or the first component or the
&-coordinate and $ is the ordinate or the second component or the
'-coordinate of the point (", $).

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Relations

Definition: Any subset ! of the real plane is called a relation. A relation "
in which no two distinct ordered-pairs have the same first component is
called a function. The domain of a relation ! is the set consisting of all
the first components of the points in !. The range of the relation ! is the
set of all the second components that occur in !. If # and $ denote the
domain and the range of !, respectively, then
# = & ∶ &, ) * ! +,- .,/0 ) * ℝ and
$ = ) ∶ &, ) * ! +,- .,/0 & * ℝ .
Remark: From the definition, we see that a function is a special kind of a
relation.

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Relations

We can also look at a relation as:

Source of picture: https://sites.google.com/a/sas.edu.sg/math-

club/home/algebra-2/chapter-2-represent-relations-and-functions/2-1-
represent-relations-and-functions

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Relations

How to determine if a relation is a function:

1. If the given relation is a set of ordered pairs or in table form
– it is a function if there is no repetition of the first
components of the ordered pairs or the !-coordinate.
2. If the given is in mapping form
– it is a function if each input has only one output
3. If given is a graph
– use the vertical line test (Draw vertical lines on the
graph. It is a function if the vertical lines crosses only
one value.)

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Relations

Source of picture: https://www.slideshare.net/chrystal_brinson/relations-and-

functions-11516871

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Aids in Graphing

Definition: The solution set or locus of an equation involving two

unknowns, say ! and ", is the set of all points in the plane that satisfy the
equation. The geometric representation of the locus of an equation is a
called the graph of the equation.

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Aids in Graphing

Let us now discuss the Five (5) Aids in Graphing, namely, the
domain, range, intercepts, symmetries and the asymptotes.

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Aids in Graphing

Domain

As defined, the domain of a relation is the set of all first

component (abscissa or !-coordinate) of the points in the relation.
When the domain of the locus of an equation is known, the
appropriate points to use in sketching the graph can easily be chosen.

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Aids in Graphing
The following simple steps may be used to determine the domain of the
locus of a given equation in two variables ! and ".
Step 1: Solve the given equation for " in terms of !.
Step 2: Determine those values of ! for which the resulting expression
in ! has meaning.
Note: A value of ! which will not give meaning to the resulting
expression in ! may still yield a value of " when substituted
in the given equation.
Step 3: Among the values of ! obtained in Step 2, choose the ones that
are suitable to the given equation. These values constitute the
domain of the locus of the given equation.
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Aids in Graphing
Example 1.1 Find the domain of the relation defined by the equation
!" + 1 = !.
Solution:
To solve the given equation for " in terms of !, we have
!" + 1 = !
!" = ! − 1
'()
"= (1)
'
Observe that this expression is defined (or has meaning) for every real
number !, except when ! = 0 (! = 0 makes equation (1) undefined).
Therefore, the domain of the locus of the equation is + = ℝ ∖ {0} (read
as “the set of real numbers except zero”)
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Aids in Graphing

Range

As defined, the domain of a relation is the set of all the second

component (ordinate or !-coordinate) of the points in the relation.

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Aids in Graphing
The following may be applied to find the range of the locus of a given
equation in two variables ! and ".
Step 1: Solve the given equation for ! in terms of ".
Step 2: Determine those values of " for which the resulting expression
in " has meaning.
Note: A value of " which will not give meaning to the resulting
expression in " may still yield a value of ! when substituted
in the given equation.
Step 3: Among the values of " obtained in Step 2, choose the ones that
are suitable to the given equation. These values constitute the
range of the locus of the given equation.
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Aids in Graphing
Example 1.2 Find the range of the relation defined by the equation
!" + 1 = !.
Solution:
To solve the given equation for ! in terms of ", we have
!" + 1 = !, or equivalently, !" − ! = −1. Factoring !, we get
! " − 1 = −1, dividing both sides of the equation with " − 1, we obtain
'(
!= (*)
)'(
Observe that this expression is defined (or has meaning) for every real
number ", except when " = 1 (" = 1 makes equation (*) undefined).
Therefore, the range is * = ℝ ∖ {1} (read as “the set of real numbers
except one”)
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Aids in Graphing

The Intercepts

A point at which the graph of the equation crosses the !-axis is

called an !-intercept. On the other hand, a point at which the graph of the
equation crosses the "-axis is called a "-intercept.

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Aids in Graphing

The following are simple steps to obtain the !-intercepts and "-intercepts,
if there are any, of the locus of a given equation.

Step 1: To find the !-intercepts, set " = 0, in the given equation and
determine the value(s) of !.
Step 2: To find the "-intercepts, set ! = 0, in the given equation and
determine the value(s) of ".

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Aids in Graphing

Example 1.3 Find the intercepts of the locus of the equation

!" + 1 = !.
Solution:
Setting " = 0, we get 1 = !. This implies that the graph of the
equation has the point (1, 0) as !-intercept.
Setting ! = 0, we get 1 = 0, which is a false statement.
Therefore the graph of the equation has no "-intercept.

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Aids in Graphing

The Symmetries

Although a graph may have other symmetries, only symmetries

with respect to the !-axis, "-axis, and the origin will be considered or
dealt with in this lesson .

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Aids in Graphing

Definition: The graph of the locus of a given equation is said to be:

(a) symmetric with respect to (wrt) the !-axis if and only if whenever a
point (#, %) is on the graph, the point (#, −%) is also on the graph;
(b) symmetric with respect to (wrt) the (-axis if and only if whenever a
point (#, %) is on the graph, the point (−#, %) is also on the graph; and
(c) symmetric with respect to (wrt) the origin if and only if whenever a
point (#, %) is on the graph, the point (−#, −%) is also on the graph.

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Aids in Graphing
From the definition, we have:
Test for Symmetry
Step 1. Replace ! by −! in the given equation. If the resulting equation
is equivalent to the original equation, then the graph of the
equation is symmetric with respect to the #-axis.
Step 2. Replace # by −# in the given equation. If the resulting equation
is equivalent to the original equation, then the graph of the
equation is symmetric with respect to the !-axis.
Step 3. Replace # by −# and ! by −! in the given equation. If the
resulting equation is equivalent to the original equation, then the
graph of the equation is symmetric with respect to the origin.
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Aids in Graphing

Example 1.4 Test the graph of the equation !" + 1 = ! for possible
symmetries.
Solution:
(a) Replacing " by −" in the equation yields ! −" + 1 = ! or
−!" + 1 = !. Therefore the graph is not symmetric wrt the !-axis.
(b) Replacing ! by −! in the equation yields −! " + 1 = −! or
−!" + 1 = −!. Therefore the graph is not symmetric wrt the "-axis.
(c) Replacing ! by −! and " by −" in the equation yields
−! (−") + 1 = −! or !" + 1 = −!. Therefore the graph is not
symmetric wrt the origin.
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Aids in Graphing

The Asymptotes

The line ! = # (# is a constant) is a vertical asymptote to the

graph of the equation if the graph or a portion of the graph of the equation
gets closer and closer to this line as the graph either becomes higher and
higher or lower and lower.
The line $ = % (% is a constant) is a horizontal asymptote to the
graph of the equation if the graph or a portion of the graph of the equation
gets closer and closer to this line as the value of ! either increases or
decreases without bound.

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Aids in Graphing
The following steps are useful in locating the vertical and horizontal asymptote, if
there is any, to the graph of a given equation:
Vertical Asymptote
Step 1. Solve the given equation for ! in terms of ".
Step 2. In the resulting expression involving ", find all those values of " for which
the denominator is zero and the numerator is not.
If # is one such value, then " = # is a vertical asymptote.
Horizontal Asymptote
Step 1. Solve the given equation for " in terms of !.
Step 2. In the resulting expression involving !, find all those values of ! for
which the denominator is zero and the numerator is not.
If % is one such value, then ! = % is a horizontal asymptote.

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Aids in Graphing

Example 1.5 Find the vertical and the horizontal asymptotes, it any, to
the graph of the equation !" + 1 = !.
Solution:
Solving the equation of " in terms of !, we obtain the equation
&'(
"= .
&
&'(
The resulting expression involving ! is . Its denominator is zero
&
when ! = 0. Therefore the line ! = 0 is the vertical asymptote.

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Aids in Graphing
Cont’n of solution of Example 1.5

Next, solving the equation of ! in terms of ", we obtain

$%
! = &$%.
The denominator of this equation is zero when " = 1. Therefore the line
" = 1 is the horizontal asymptote.

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Aids in Graphing

From Examples 1.1 to 1.5, we obtain the following information concerning

the locus of the equation !" + 1 = !:
1. & = ℝ ∖ {0}
2. , = ℝ ∖ {1}
3. !-intercept at (1, 0); no "-intercept
4. Not symmetric wrt the !-axis, "-axis, and the origin
5. ! = 0 is the vertical asymptote;
" = 1 is the horizontal asymptote

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Aids in Graphing

Using all these and the table below (table of points of the given equation,
we can easily construct a sketch of the graph of !" + 1 = !.

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Aids in Graphing

Sketch of the graph of !" + 1 = !

Sketch of the graph used GeoGebra: https://www.geogebra.org/graphing?lang=en

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Aids in Graphing
Example 1.6 Find the domain, range, intercepts, symmetries, and
asymptotes of the locus of the equation !(# $ − 4) = 2#.
Give a sketch of the graph.
Solution:
(a) Domain: The given equation is equivalent to
!# $ − 2# − 4! = 0.
Observe that this is a quadratic equation in #. Letting + = !, , = −2,
./± /1 .234
and - = −4! and using the quadratic formula # = to solve
$3
the equation for # in terms of !, we have
$± 2.2(5)(.25) $± 267851
#= = , !≠0 . (1*)
$5 $5
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Aids in Graphing
Since 4 + 16% & > 0 for all real number %, it follows that 4 + 16% & is a
real number for every real number %. Now, although the equation in (1*)
does not hold for % = 0, the original equation yields * = 0 when % = 0.
This means that the point (0, 0) is in the locus of the given equation.
Hence, % = 0 is in the domain of the locus. Therefore, the domain of the
given relation is the set of all real numbers, that is, . = ℝ.
(b) Range: Solving the equation for % in terms of *, we get
&0
%= . (2*)
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The resulting expression involving * in (2*) has meaning if an only if
* & − 4 ≠ 0, that is, if and only if * ≠ 2 and * ≠ −2. Therefore the range of
the given relation is 7 = ℝ ∖ {2, −2}.
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Aids in Graphing

(c) Intercepts: Setting ! = 0 in the given equation, we get

$ 0 − 4 = 2(0) or $ = 0. Therefore 0, 0 is the $-intercept. Setting $ = 0,
we get ! = 0. Therefore (0, 0) is also the !-intercept.

(d) Symmetries:
1) Replacing ! by −! in the equation , we obtain
$ −! + − 4 = 2 −! . Clearly, this equation is not equivalent to the
original equation. Therefore the graph of the given equation is not
symmetric wrt the $-axis.

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Aids in Graphing

2) Replacing ! by −! in the equation , we obtain −! # $ − 4 = 2#

This equation is not equivalent to the original equation. Therefore the
graph of the given equation is not symmetric wrt the #-axis.

3) Replacing ! by −! and # by −# in the equation , we obtain

−! −# $ − 4 = 2 −# or equivalently, ! # $ − 4 = 2#. Therefore the
graph of the equation is symmetric wrt the origin.

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Aids in Graphing

(e) Asymptotes: From the equation in (1*) of (a), it follows that ! = 0 is

the vertical asymptote. From the equation (2*) of (b), $ = 2 and $ = −2
are the horizontal asymptotes.

(f) Sketch of the graph : Note that based from the information we have
obtained from (a) to (e), there is a portion of the graph between the lines
$ = 2 and $ = −2, another portion above the line $ = 2 and a portion
below the line $ = −2.

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Aids in Graphing
Now, using the equation in (1*), the following table gives us some points
in the locus.

Since the graph is symmetric with respect to the origin, the following
points are also in the locus.

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Aids in Graphing
The sketch of the graph of the equation !(# $ − 4) = 2# is

Sketch of the graph used GeoGebra: https://www.geogebra.org/graphing?lang=en

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Aids in Graphing
Example 1.7 Find the domain, range, intercepts, symmetries, and
asymptotes of the locus of the equation !(# $ − 4) = 1.
Give a sketch of the graph.

Solution:
(a) Domain: Solving the equation for ! in terms of #, we get
*
!= . (3*)
+, -.
The denominator should not be equal to zero so that ! is defined (that is
the equation in (3*) will have meaning). So,
# $ − 4 ≠ 0 ⟹ # − 2 # + 2 ≠ 0 ⟹ # ≠ 2 and # ≠ −2
Therefore, 4 = ℝ ∖ {2, −2} or 4 = (−∞, −2) ∪ (−2, 2) ∪ (2, +∞).

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Aids in Graphing
(b) Range: Solving the equation for ! in terms of ", we get
%&'(
!=± . (4*)
&
Note that the expression on the right of the equation in (4*) is a real
number if and only if
%&'(
≥ 0 (5*).
&
Solving the inequality in (5*), we get the solution set
(
−∞, − ∪ 0, +∞
%
(
Therefore, 0 = −∞, − ∪ 0, +∞
%

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Aids in Graphing

(c) Intercepts: Setting ! = 0 in the given equation, we get

0 $ % − 4 = 1 or 0 = 1, which is impossible.
Therefore, there is no $-intercept.

Setting $ = 0, we get
)* )*
!= . Therefore 0, is the !-intercept.
+ +

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Aids in Graphing

(d) Symmetries:
1) Replacing ! by −! in the equation , we get −!($ % − 4) = 1
or −! $ % − 4 = −1, which is not equivalent to the original equation.
Therefore the graph of the given equation is not symmetric wrt the $-axis.
2) Replacing $ by −$ in the equation , we get ! −$ % − 4 = 1.
This equation is equivalent to !($ % − 4) = 1. Therefore the graph of the
equation is symmetric wrt the !-axis.
3) Replacing $ by −$ and ! by −! in the equation , we obtain
−! −$ % − 4 = 1 or equivalently, ! $ % − 4 = −1. Therefore the
graph of the equation is not symmetric wrt the origin.

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Aids in Graphing

(e) Asymptotes: From the equation in (3*) of (a), it follows that ! = 2 and
! = −2 are the vertical asymptotes. From the equation (4*) of (b), % = 0 is
the horizontal asymptote.

(f) Sketch of the graph: Note that based from the information we have
obtained from (a) to (e), there is a portion of the graph between the lines
! = 2 and ! = −2, another portion to the right of the line ! = 2 and a
portion of the graph to the left of the line ! = −2. Now, using the equation
in (3*), the following table gives us some points in the locus.

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Aids in Graphing

Now, using the equation in (3*), the following table gives us some points
in the locus.

Since the graph is symmetric with respect to the !-axis, the following
points are also in the locus.

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Aids in Graphing
The sketch of the graph of the equation !(# $ − 4) = 1 is

Sketch of the graph used GeoGebra: https://www.geogebra.org/graphing?lang=en

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Aids in Graphing
Exercises 1.1 Find the domain, range, intercepts, symmetries, and
asymptotes of the locus of the equation of each of the following
equations. Give a sketch of each.

1. ! "# = 4
2. !# + ! = 4#
3. !# " + 4! − 1 = 0
4. ! "# − 1 = #
5. # " ! " − 1 − 2! = 0

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End of Lesson 1