ALDERSGATE COLLEGE

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

CALCULUS 1 (DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS)

MODULE 1
FUNCTIONS
OVERVIEW
This module discusses the definition of functions and how it is important in understanding the principles of
calculus in general terms.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, the student should be able to
1. Understand the concept of a “function,” which is the basic idea that underlies almost all
mathematical and physical relationships, regardless of the form in which they are expressed.
2. To determine the domain and range using analytical and graphical method.
3. Evaluate a function at a given value of the independent variable

LEARNING FOCUS

0.1 FUNCTIONS

DEFINITION
Function is a special kind of relation. It is a set of ordered-pairs (x , y ) of real numbers in which no
two pairs have the same first element x . Furthermore, it is a relation in which each x -element has
only one y -element associated with it.

FUNCTION REPRESENTATION
A. NUMERICALLY (using a chart or table of data)
B. GRAPHICALLY (using a scatter plot or continuous graph)
C. VERBALLY (using a word description)
D. ALGEBRAICALLY (using mathematical models or formulas)

EXAMPLE 01: Suppose that we wish to fill in a low swampy area with 120 cubic yards of dirt. Suppose
that we will use a truck which is capable of moving 12 cubic yards of soil per load and that we can
deliver 1 load of soil per hour around the clock until the job is complete. The amount of soil moved after
t hours is given by the following chart.
Elapsed Amount of
time (hr) soil (cu.yd.)
1 12 An algebraic description of
the amount A of soil
2 24 moved after t hours is
4 48 given by
6 72 A ( t )=12t
8 96
10 120
FUNCTION NOTATION

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

To be able to discuss functions and their properties, we use a symbol, usually a letter of the
alphabet to stand for a function. The most often used are f , g , H , M , α , β . Sometimes, subscripts are
employed so that, for example f 1 , f 2 , f 3 and f 4 would stand for four different functions. To write a
function, we enclose the independent variable in parentheses preceded by a chosen letter. In symbol
form, f ( x), read “function of x” or “f of x”, with the chosen letter f indicating that there exists a
relationship between variable x and another variable.
In equation y=−√ x +1, y=α ( x ) is read “ y is a function of x ”, with the Greek letter α indicating a
relationship between dependent variable y and independent variable x , hence, the ordered pair (x , y )
can be denoted by [ x , α ( x ) ] or (x ,−√ x+ 1). Function α is single-valued function.
Moreover, in function f ( x )= √ x +1, f ( x) is a double-valued function. For example, when x=3 ,
f ( x )=± 2.
A function that depends on two or more independent variables is symbolically represented in a
similar manner. Hence, a function of variables x and z is written as β (x , z ) and is read function “
β of x ∧z”. The function β ( x , z ) when x=2 and z=0 is denoted by β (2,0).

CONSTANT AND VARIABLE

In Mathematics, a constant is a quantity that maintains a fixed value throughout a particular
problem. Absolute constants such as π , e , √2 , 3 retain the same values in all problems. Arbitrary
constants remain constant in a particular problem but may assume different values in other problems.
A variable is a quantity that may assume various values in the course of a problem. In equation
y=1−x , letter x whose values would be freely assumed is called the independent variable and letter
y whose value depends on the assumed value of x is called the dependent variable.

VERTICAL LINE TEST

The vertical line test tells whether a relation is a function. Given the graph of the relation, if every
vertical line drawn crosses the graph in only one point, then, the relation is a function. On the contrary,
if one can draw a vertical line that goes through two points, is not a function of.
The graph of relations Q and W shown below reveals that W is a function since any vertical line
drawn through its graph intersects it in one and only one point. Moreover, Q is not a function since any
vertical line drawn through its graph crosses it in more than one point.

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

FUNCTION EVALUATION

This is the process of finding value of function, say h(x ), given value of the independent variable x
. The notation h(−1) refers to the value of function h when x=−1. Likewise, in f (x , y ), f (−2,4)
means the value of the function when x=−2 and x=4.

EXAMPLE 02: Suppose that f is a function defined by f ( x )=x 2−2 x−3 . Evaluate
f ( 0 ) , f (−1 ) , f (−2 ) , f ( 1 ) , f ( 2 ) , f (3 ) , f [f ( x ) ]. Draw the graph of f for the portion of the domain
−2 ≤ x ≤3 .
Solution: Substitute the given value of the independent variable
f ( x )=x 2−2 x−3 .
a. f ( 0 )
f ( 0 )=02 −2 ( 0 )−3
f ( 0 )=−3

b. f (−1 )
f (−1 ) =(−1)2−2 (−1 )−3
f (−1 ) =0

c. f (−2 )
f (−2 )=(−2)2−2 (−2 )−3
f (−2 )=5

d. f (1)
f ( 1 ) =12−2 (1 ) −3
f ( 1 ) =−4

e. f ( 2 )
f ( 2 ) =22−2 ( 2 )−3
f ( 2 ) =−3

f. f (3 )
f ( 3 )=32−2 ( 3 )−3
f ( 3 )=0

g. f [ f ( x ) ]
f [ f ( x ) ] =f (x −2 x−3)
2

f [ f ( x ) ] =( x 2−2 x−3)2−2 ( x2 −2 x−3 )−3

f [ f ( x ) ] =x 4 +4 x 2 +9−4 x 3−6 x 2 +12 x−2 x 2 +4 x+6−3
f [ f ( x ) ] =x 4−4 x 3−4 x 2 +16 x +12

x −2 −1 0 1 2 3
f ( x )= y 5 0 −3 −4 −3 0

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(x , y) (−2,5) (−2,5) (0 ,−3) (1 ,−4) (2 ,−3) (3,0)

2
The graph of f ( x )=x −2 x−3 is a parabola with vertex at (1 ,−4).

f ( x+ h )−f ( x ) 1
EXAMPLE 03: Find the value of , h≠ 0 , given function f ( x )= 2
h x
1
Solution: Evaluate f ( x +h ) = 2
(x+ h)
1 1
2
− 2
Therefore, f ( x+ h )−f ( x ) ( x +h) x
=
h h
2 2
x −(x+ h)
2 2
x ( x+ h)
¿
h
2 2 2
x −x −2hx−h
¿ 2 2
h x ( x+ h)
−h(2 x+ h)
¿ 2
h x ( x +h)2
−(h+ 2 x )
¿ 2
x (x +h)2

DOMAIN AND RANGE OF A FUNCTION

The domain of a function is the set of all values for which the function is defined, and the range of
the function is the set of all values that function takes.
p(x )
For a rational function in the form f ( x )= , where p(x ) and q ( x) are polynomials and
q( x )
q ( x) ≠ 0, the domain consists of all the real numbers x except those for which the denominator is zero.
To find these x values to be excluded from the domain of a rational function, equate the denominator to
zero and solve for x .

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

1
For example, the domain of f ( x )= is the set of all real numbers except x=0 . Or the domain of
x
1
the function f ( x )= is the set of all real numbers except x=4.
x−4

On the other hand, one way to find the range of a function is by finding the domain of the inverse
function. Another way is to sketch the graph.
1
Consider again the function f ( x )= , we know that the function is not defined when x=0 . As
x
x → 0 from either side of zero, f ( x)→ ∞. Similarly, as x → ± ∞, f ( x)→0 .
The graph approaches x-axis as x tends to ± ∞ , but never touches the x-axis. That is, the function
can take all the real values except 0. So, the range of the function is the set of real numbers except 0.
EXAMPLE 04: Find the domain and range β ( x )= √ x−4
Solution: The function β ( x )= √ x−4 is defined only at x-values equal or greater than 4. That is, for
the function to be a real number, the radicand x−4 ≥ 0 or x ≥ 4. Hence, the domain of the function is
{x∨x ≥ 4 }.
The definition of the given function shows that at x values of in the interval x ≥ 4
corresponding value of the function is zero or more than zero. That is same as saying the range of the
function is { y ∨ y ≥ 0 }. The graph of function is the upper half of the parabola with vertex at (4,0) .

EXAMPLE 05: Find the domain and range for the function defined as f ( x )=x 2 +2, for −2< x ≤ 1.
Solution: The domain of the function f ( x )=x 2 +2 is { x|−2< x ≤ 1 }. To find the range, when x=−2,
f (−2 )=6. It could be observed from the graph that range is all real numbers more than 2 but less than
6. In symbol form, range is { y|2 ≤ y < 6 }. The graph has an open circle at (−2,6) indicating that the
domain excludes x=−2 and the range does not include y=6.
The graph of the function is a portion of parabola f ( x )=x 2 +2 having vertex at (0,2)
opening upward.

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

Note: If the rule of correspondence defining a given function does not explicitly point out the domain,
x
one should be sharp enough to identify it. Say for example, f ( x )= 2 is a function defined for all
x −4
values of x except x=± 2, since division by zero is undefined. Similarly, if h ( x )=√ 1−x 2, the domain
consists of x values that satisfy the quadratic inequality 1−x 2 ≥0 . Solution of this inequality and the
domain of the function is the interval −1 ≤ x ≤1. The graph of the function is the upper half of the circle
having center at the origin and of radius equal to one.

PIECEWISE-DEFINED FUNCTION

This is a function whose domain is divided into parts and each part is defined by a different function
rule. It is defined on a series of intervals. The word piecewise is used to describe any property of a
piecewise-defined function that holds for each piece but may not hold for the whole domain of the
function.
A common piecewise-defined function is the absolute value.

{
−x , x <0
|x|= 0 , x=0
x , x >0

EXAMPLE 06: Find the domain and range of given piecewise-defined function f ( x).
Draw its graph and find value of f when x=−3 and x=6 .

{
f ( x )= x+ 1, x >0
x−2 , x ≤ 0

Solution: Based on the given parts of the domain, we say that the domain of the given piecewise-
defined function is {x∨x ∈ R }. Let us draw the graph of the given function f ( x).

The graph shows the range of f (x) is

{ y ∨ y ≤−2∪ y>1 } and when
x=−3 , f (−3 )=−3−2=5 . Furthermore, when
x=6 , f ( 6 )=6+ 1=7.

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

EXAMPLE 06: Find the domain and range of function defined below and draw its graph.

{
− √ x −1 , x>1
2

H ( x) = 1 , x=0
2
x +2 , x←1

Solution: The domain of the given function is

{x∨x >1 ∪ x←1 }. Based on the graph of the function
H (x ) shown below, it is evident that the ranges is
{ y ∨ y >3 ∪ y=1 ∪ y< 0 }
.

PRACTICE PROBLEMS:
Evaluate the given functions at the indicated values of x.
1. Given: f ( x )=2−x 2, find: a. f (−3), b. f (−2)
2. Given: g ( x )=x 2+2 x +1, find: a. g(−4), b. g( a−1), c. g[ g ( x ) ]
Determine the domain and range of the following:
2
x −3 x−4
3. f ( x )=
x +1
1
4. y= −5
x +3
5. f ( x )= √ x 2−7 x +10

LEARNING ACTIVITY 01

INSTRUCTION: Answer all the questions being asked, write your solution in a clean sheet of bond
paper and upload it as a picture file.

Evaluate the given functions at the indicated values of x .

3 x−4
1. Given: α ( x )= , find:
2 x +3
a. b. c. d.
α (−4 ) α (−3) α (−2 ) α (−1 )

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

e. g. i.
α ( 0) α ( 2) α (4 )
f. h.
α ( 1) α (3)
2. From the given in No. 1, which value of x is not an element of the domain? Draw the graph of
α ( x) for x on [−4,4 ] using the values above and additional values, if needed.
x+ 1
3. Given the function g ( x )=x 2 and h ( x )= , find:
1−x
a. h [g ( x ) ]
b. g ¿
4. Given the function f ( x )=x 2−x + 4, find f [f (−2 ) ]

Given the piecewise-defined functions, draw the graph and identify the domain and range.

{
5. G ( x ) =
2 x +1 , x ≤−2
−2, x >2

{
−4 , x >0
6. m ( x ) = 2 ,−2≤ x ≤ 0
4 , x ←2

{
2
7. h ( x )= x + 4 , x< 1
x−1 , x ≥1

Prepared by:
Engr. Eloisa T. Sentillas
Instructor

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