Diffcal Functions Lecture Part 1
Diffcal Functions Lecture Part 1
1.1. FUNCTIONS
A function is a set of ordered pairs (x, y) in which no two distinct ordered pairs have the same
first number. Symbols such as f , g , and h are used to denote functions unless stated otherwise. If
the function is expressed in terms of the variable x , f (x), g(x) , and h(x) are used to denote this
function. For instance, in the finding the area of circle, A(r) = r2 is used to describe the
relationship between the area and the radius of the given circle. Here, it can be observed that the
area, A is expressed as a function of r and the value of A depends on the value of r . So, we say
that A is the dependent variable and r is the independent variable.
Another way to determine whether a relation is function or not is by using the vertical line
test. Given the graph of a function, draw vertical lines overlaying the graph. If the vertical lines
pass through exactly one point on the graph, then it is a function. If it passes through two or more
points, then it is not a function.
To evaluate function, a straight forward substitution is used. For instance, given a function,
f(x) = x2 + 2, if we wish to find f (−3) we shall replace x by -3 and perform the operation leading
us with f (−3) =11.
Let f be a function defined by f(x) = x2 - 2x + 3
b.) f (1/2)
c.) f (−1)
d.) f (2x)
e.) f (x + h)
a.) f (x) = 2x + 3
d.) y = 3√𝑥
2 1
e.) f (x) = 𝑥 f.) f (x) = 𝑥2
g.) y = 2x
𝑝(𝑥)
Rees, R., (2003). Suppose that f(x) = is a rational function in lowest terms and a is
𝑞(𝑥)
some real number where q(x) 0. From this definition, we set the rules to determine the asymptote
of a function. Suppose that the rational function
is in lowest terms.