NUFYP Mathematics

Fall Semester

Learning Block 1
1.1 Linear Functions
 Learning outcomes

1.1.1 Determine if a given mapping diagram is a function

1.1.2 Use the vertical line test to determine if a given curve is
the graph of a function
1.1.3 Find the domain and the range of functions
1.1.4 Write the equation of a line from given information
1.1.5 Find the equation of a line parallel to a given line
1.1.6 Find the equation of a line perpendicular to a given line
1.1.7 Describe the geometric relationship between two lines
Lecture Outline
Linear function
What is a
function? 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 and
its graph

Mapping Write the equation of a

diagrams straight line from the given
information
Vertical line test

Explore the concept of

Domain and range parallel and perpendicular
of a function lines
How did the concept of function arise?
● Intuitive understanding of functionality must have
arisen in the very earliest stages in the
development of mathematics. Babylonian tables
of squares, cubes and reciprocals, Greek
Almagest…
● Like so many mathematical terms, the word Babylonian table of
function was first used with its usual non- squares

mathematical meaning. Leibniz wrote in August

1673 of ‘... other kinds of lines which, in a given
figure, perform some function’.
● The concept of a function developed over time,
changing its meaning as well as being defined
more precisely as decades went by. Today we
use Goursat’s notation of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and Suppe’s Ptolemy chords
set theory to describe a function. of a circle
Source: https://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/HistTopics/Functions.html
What is a function?
We use the term function to describe the
dependence of one quantity on another. That is,
we say the following:

• Height is a function of age.

• Temperature is a function of date.

• Cost of mailing a package is a

function of weight.
What is a function?
A function is a rule. To talk about a particular function, we
need to give it a name. We will use letters such as f, g, h, ...
to represent functions.
For example, we can use the letter f to represent a rule as
follows:
“ f ” is the rule “square the number”

DEFINITION OF A FUNCTION

A function 𝑓 is a rule that assigns to each element 𝑥 in a set 𝐴

exactly one element, called 𝑓(𝑥), in a set 𝐵
We usually consider functions for which the sets A
and B are sets of real numbers.

The set A is called the domain of the function.

The set B is called the range of the function. It is

the set of all possible values, 𝑓(𝑥), as 𝑥 varies
throughout the domain; that is,

𝐵 = range of 𝑓 = { 𝑓 (𝑥) | 𝑥 Î 𝐴}

The symbol 𝑓 𝑥 is read “𝑓 of 𝑥” or “𝑓 at 𝑥” and is

called the value of 𝒇 at 𝒙, or the image of 𝒙 under 𝒇.
In many texts, 𝑥 is also called the input of the function 𝑓
and the value 𝑓(𝑥) is called the output of 𝑓.

The symbol that represents an arbitrary number in the

domain of a function f is called an independent variable.

The symbol that represents a number in the range of 𝑓 is

called a dependent variable. So if we write 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), then
𝑥 is the independent variable and 𝑦 is the dependent
variable because the 𝑦-value output depends on the 𝑥-
value input.
1.1.1 Determine if a given mapping
diagram is a function – Example 1
Set A 1 2 Set B

2 4

3 6
Domain Range
4 8
input output

Domain: A = {1, 2, 3, 4} Range: B = {2, 4, 6, 8}

f: A à B f: 𝑥 à 2𝑥
This notation is read “f maps set A onto set B”
We write 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥
Example 2
Set A 1 2 Set B Draw a mapping
2 4 diagram for the
3 6
given function
Domain 4 8 Range
input output

A B
1 2

2
The function 𝑓(𝑥) assigns
4
each input from A to its
3 6 unique output in B, and we
use arrows to represent this.
4 8

f: x à 2x
Does every mapping diagram represent a
function?
Look at the following mapping diagrams and state
whether they represent a function (remember, a
function associates exactly one output to each input!)

Function Not a function Function

Can you give an example of a mathematical
operation that maps two distinct inputs onto a single
output?
1.1.2 Vertical line test
In practice we often define a function by an equation,
or a graph. The question is which curves in the 𝒙𝒚-
plane are graphs of functions?

THE VERTICAL LINE TEST

A curve in the coordinate plane is the graph of a function if and

only if no vertical line intersects the curve more than once.
Example 3
Which of the following graphs represent a function?
Vertical line test
What about a circle or an ellipse? Do these curves
represent functions?
Answer: NO, they do not pass the VLT.

But one can say: “I can force 𝑦 to depend on 𝑥 and re-

write the equation of a circle 𝑥 ! + 𝑦 ! = 𝑟 ! as
𝑦 = 𝑟 ! − 𝑥 ! , so now y is a function of 𝑥!”

• Is this correct? If not, why?

• What is the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑟 ! − 𝑥 ! ?
Example 4
Determine if each equation defines a function with
independent variable 𝑥 :
a) 𝑦 " + 𝑥 ! = 4
b) 𝑦 # − 𝑥 # = 3

Solution
!
a) 𝑦 = ± 4 − 𝑥 ! is not a function
"
b) 𝑦 = 3 + 𝑥 # is a function
1.1.3 Domain and range of a function
The graph of a function allows us visualize the domain of the
function on the 𝑥-axis and the range of the function on the 𝑦-
axis.
The domain and range of a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) can be obtained
from a graph of 𝑓 as shown in the figure. The domain is the set
of all 𝑥-values for which 𝑓 is defined, and the range is all the
corresponding 𝑦-values.
Example 5
Identify the domain and range of the following functions:

1) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 ! − 3
1
2) 𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥−4
1
3) ℎ 𝑥 = !
𝑥 −𝑥

4) 𝑠 𝑥 = 9 − 𝑥!
1
5) 𝑢 𝑡 =
𝑡+1
Solution
1) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 ! − 3
Domain: 𝑥 𝑥 ∈ ℝ or 𝑥 ∈ −∞, ∞
We read it ‘the set of 𝑥 such that 𝑥 is any real number’
or ‘𝑥 belongs to the set of real numbers’
Range: 𝑓 𝑥 ≥ −3
1
2) 𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥−4
Domain: 𝑥 𝑥 ≠ 4 or 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, 4) ∪ (4, ∞)

Range: 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0 or g(𝑥) ∈ (−∞, 0) ∪ (0, ∞)

Solution
1
3) ℎ 𝑥 = !
𝑥 −𝑥
D: {𝑥|𝑥 ≠ 0, 𝑥 ≠ 1} or 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, 0) ∪ (0,1) ∪ (1, ∞)
R: ℎ 𝑥 > 0
4) 𝑠 𝑥 = 9 − 𝑥!
D: {𝑥| − 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3} or 𝑥 ∈ [−3,3]
R: 𝑠 𝑥 0 ≤ 𝑠 𝑥 ≤ 3} (the graph is an upper semicircle)
1
5) 𝑢 𝑡 = 𝑡+1>0
𝑡+1
D: 𝑡 𝑡 > −1 or 𝑡 ∈ (−1, ∞) 𝑅: 𝑢 𝑡 > 0
Example 6

Identify the range for the given function

𝑓 𝑥 = %
𝑥 , −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
Solution

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 %,
−2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1

From the graph

the range is
0 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 4
Linear functions and their graphs
A function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏 is called a linear
function (or a “line”).
The domain of any linear function is the set of all real
numbers. If the coefficient 𝑚 ≠ 0, then the range is
also the set of all real numbers.

• What is the range of the above function if 𝑚 = 0?

In this lecture, we will deal with geometrical properties

of graphs of linear functions.
GRAPH PROPERTIES OF 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃
The graph of a linear function is a line with slope 𝑚 and 𝑦-intercept 𝑏.

𝑚<0 𝑚=0 𝑚>0

Decreasing on −∞, ∞ Constant on −∞, ∞ Increasing on −∞, ∞
Domain: −∞, ∞ Domain: −∞, ∞ Domain: −∞, ∞
Range: −∞, ∞ Range: {𝑏} Range: −∞, ∞
1.1.4 Write the equation of a line from given
information
If we now equate 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 , then we get an equation of
a straight line
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏

This is called a slope-intercept form

Coefficient 𝑏 means that the line intersects the 𝑦-axis

at the point (0, 𝑏).
A slope is the measure of the ‘steepness’ of a
line. Sometimes the change in 𝑥 is called the run and
change in 𝑦 is called the rise.
You need to know the coordinates of any two distinct
points on the line to find its slope:

The slope 𝑚 of a nonvertical line that passes through the

points 𝐴 𝑥! , 𝑦! and 𝐵 𝑥" , 𝑦" is

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑦" − 𝑦!
𝑚= =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑥" − 𝑥!

What is the slope of a horizontal line?

What is the slope of a vertical line?
Example 7
Find the slope of the line that passes through the
points P(2, 1) and Q(8, 5).

𝑦! − 𝑦0 5 − 1 2
𝑚= = =
𝑥! − 𝑥0 8 − 2 3

! This says that for every 3

units we move to the right,
the line rises 2 units.
Once you know the slope of a line you can use any point on
that line to write its equation in point-slope form:
POINT-SLOPE FORM OF THE EQUATION OF A LINE

An equation of the line that passes through the point 𝑥! , 𝑦!

and has slope 𝑚 is
𝑦 − 𝑦! = 𝑚 𝑥 − 𝑥!

"
Let’s continue with Example 7: 𝑚 = and point 𝑄 8,5 .
#
2
𝑦 − 5 = (𝑥 − 8)
3
• What is the y-intercept of this line?
• Write this equation in the slope-intercept form.
• Do you get the same equation if you use another point on
the line? (Try using P(2, 1) instead of 𝑄 8,5 )
A more general or standard form of the equation of
a straight line in a rectangular coordinate system is

𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶 = 0

where 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 are constants (𝐴 and 𝐵 ≠ 0)

• Task: convert this equation to the slope-intercept

form

1 3
Answer: 𝑦 = − 𝑥 − (𝐵 ≠ 0)
2 2

• What if 𝐴 = 0 or 𝐵 = 0?
Your turn!
a) Find an equation of the line with slope 3 and
y-intercept -2.
b) Find an equation of the line (in slope-intercept
form) passing through the points (4, -11) and (-1, -6).
c) Find the slope and y-intercept of the line
3𝑦 – 2𝑥 = 1.

Solution

a) Since m = 3 and b = –2, we get 𝑦 = 3𝑥 – 2;

b) Find an equation of the line (in slope-intercept form)
passing through the points (4, -11) and (-1, -6)
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏
−6 + 11
𝑚= = −1
−1 − 4

𝑦 = −𝑥 + 𝑏 Or use point-slope form

first:
Substitute any given point in
−11 = −4 + 𝑏 𝑦 + 6 = −(𝑥 + 1)
⇒ 𝑏 = −7
Slope-intercept form
𝑦 =−𝑥−7 𝑦 = −𝑥 − 7
c) Find the slope and y-intercept of the line
3𝑦 – 2𝑥 = 1.

We first write the equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏:

3y - 2x = 1
3y = 2x + 1
2 1
y = x+
3 3

From the slope-intercept form of the equation of a line,

!
we see that the slope is 𝑚 = and the y-intercept is
#
0
𝑏= .
#
Example 8

The line 𝑦 = 3𝑥 – 9 meets the x-axis at a point A. Find

!
an equation of the line with slope that passes through
#
the point A. Write your answer in the form
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are integers.

Solution:
A is the x-intercept, so its y-coordinate is 0.
𝑦 = 3𝑥 – 9
0 = 3𝑥 − 9
𝑥=3
Example 8 Solution

Therefore, 𝐴(3,0). Use the formula 𝑦 − 𝑦1 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥1)

!
with 𝑚 = :
#
2
𝑦 − 0 = (𝑥 − 3)
3
3𝑦 = 2(𝑥 − 3)

Hence, the required equation of the line is

2𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 6 = 0
1.1.5 Find the equation of a line parallel
to a given line
Two non-vertical lines are parallel if and only if they
have the same slope.

𝑚1 = 𝑚2
Example 9
Find an equation of the line through the point (5, 2)
that is parallel to the line 4x + 6y + 5 = 0.
Solution
First we write the equation of the given line in slope-
intercept form:
4𝑥 + 6𝑦 + 5 = 0

6𝑦 = −4𝑥 − 5
2 5
𝑦=− 𝑥−
3 6
Solution
!
So the line has slope 𝑚 = − . Since the required line
#
!
is parallel to the given line, it also has slope − .
#
From the point-slope form of the equation of a line, we
get

!
𝑦– 2 = − 𝑥– 5
#
3𝑦 – 6 = – 2𝑥 + 10

Thus, the equation of the required line is

2𝑥 + 3𝑦 – 16 = 0
 1.1.6 Find the equation of a line
perpendicular to a given line
Two lines 𝑚! and 𝑚! are perpendicular if and only if
𝑚! 𝑚" = −1 , that is, their slopes are negative reciprocals:
1
𝑚" = −
𝑚!

Also, a horizontal line (slope 0) is perpendicular to a vertical

line (no slope).
Example 10
Show that the points P(3, 3), Q(8, 17), and R(11, 5)
are the vertices of a right triangle.

Solution
We need to find the slopes of the segments PQ, PR
and QR:

17 − 3 14 5−3 1
𝑚45 = = , 𝑚46 = = ,
8−3 5 11 − 3 4
5 − 17
𝑚65 = = −4.
11 − 8
Solution
Since 𝑚46 × 𝑚65 = –1, these lines are
perpendicular, so PQR is a right triangle.
1.1.7 Describe the geometric relationship
between two lines
What are the possibilities for the intersection of two straight
lines on the 𝑥𝑦-plane? If you think about it, the graphs of
the two lines will relate in one of three possible ways:

Lines intersect at Lines are parallel Lines coincide.

a single point. and do not The system has
The system has intersect. The infinitely many
exactly one system has no solutions (all
solution. solution. points on the line).
We can view this problem as a system of linear
equations by writing out the equations of the two
lines:
𝑎0 𝑥 + 𝑏0 𝑦 = 𝑐0
[
𝑎! 𝑥 + 𝑏! 𝑦 = 𝑐!

Solving this system of linear equations amounts to

finding all points 𝑥, 𝑦 that satisfy both equations; in
other words, all points 𝑥, 𝑦 that lie on both lines.

Graphically, this means finding all points of intersection

between the two lines, and as we saw in the last slide,
there are three possibilities for this.

How would we go about finding solutions algebraically?

A Note About Systems of Equations:
In general, we can have a system with any finite number of
equations and any finite number of variables (“unknowns”).
Solving such a system of equations amounts to finding all points
𝑥, 𝑦 that satisfy all of the equations.

• A system of equations is said to be inconsistent when there

are no solutions

• A system of equations is said to be consistent when there is

at least one solution
– A consistent system of equations with one unique solution
is said to be independent
– A consistent system of equations with infinitely many
solutions is said to be dependent
A Note About Systems of Equations:

A system of equations is called a linear system of

equations (or a linear system) when each equation is
linear. An equation is linear when it has degree 1.

Real-world problems involving linear systems can be

seen everywhere from linear programming to solving
practical business problems, such as manufacturing,
shipping, production, etc.
In this lecture, we will limit ourselves to the simplest
linear systems, those consisting of two linear
equations in two variables:
𝑎0 𝑥 + 𝑏0 𝑦 = 𝑐0
[
𝑎! 𝑥 + 𝑏! 𝑦 = 𝑐!
So thinking about these linear equations
algebraically, what needs to be true about
coefficients 𝑎0 , 𝑏0 , 𝑐0 , 𝑎! , 𝑏! , 𝑐! in order for there to
be no solutions? One unique solution? Infinitely
many solutions?

Hint: think about the slopes and y-intercepts of the

lines.
Exercise: Which of these simultaneous
equations has a solution?

x+y=7 2x + 3y = 5
x – y = -7 2x – 2y = 5

x + 5 = 3y y=0
2x – 3y = 5
3y – x = 2
Summary

Not a function function function

Equation of a straight line

General form: 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶 = 0
$!%$"
Point-slope form: y − 𝑦! = 𝑚 𝑥 − 𝑥! , where 𝑚 = &!%&"
Slope-intercept form: 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏

For two parallel lines, 𝑚1 = 𝑚2

For two perpendicular lines, 𝑚1𝑚" = −1

Learning outcomes
1.1.1 Determine if a given mapping diagram is a function
1.1.2 Use the vertical line test to determine if a given curve is t
he graph of a function
1.1.3 Find the domain and the range of functions
1.1.4 Write the equation of a line from given information
1.1.5 Find the equation of a line parallel to a given line
1.1.6 Find the equation of a line perpendicular to a given line
1.1.7 Describe the geometric relationship between two lines
Preview: Quadratic functions
Factorization

Solving quadratic
Quadratic functions

Quadratic formula
equation
Competing the
square (CTS)
Finding
coordinates of the
Graphing quadratic vertex
function
Axis of symmetry

Applications