Grade Level: HG1

Course: Pre calculus

Branch: Functions

Topic: Introduction to Functions (Notation)

FUNCTIONS

A relationship between two variables, typically x and y, is called a

function, if there is a rule that assigns to each value of x one and only one
value of y.

Thus a "function" must be single-valued ("one and only one"). For example,

Y = 5x – 7
To each value of x there is a unique value of y.

Definition of the Domain of a Function

The domain of a function is the set of all possible x values which will make
the function "work" and will output real y-values. However the domain may
be arbitrarily restricted.

When finding the domain, remember:

The denominator (bottom) of a fraction cannot be zero

The values under a square root sign must be positive

Definition of the Range of a Function

The range of a function is the possible y values of a function that result

when we substitute all the possible x-values into the function.

When finding the range, remember:

Substitute different x-values into the expression for y to see what is

happening
Make sure you look for minimum and maximum values of y.
Draw a sketch!
Example 1 :

Let the domain of the function y = x2 + 3 be A = { -3 , -2 , 0 , 2 }

(a) Write the set of ordered pairs (x, y) which "represents" this function.
(b) Write the set B which is the range of the function

Solution :

That is , when x = -3 , y = (-3)2 +1 = 9 + 1 = 10

When x = 0 , y = (0)2 + 1 = 0 +1 = 1 and so on…..

(a) Ordered pairs of ‘f’ = { ( -3 , 10 ) , ( -1 , 5 ) , ( 0 , 3 ) , ( 2 , 5) }

(b) Range = { 10 , 5 , 3 } , The values in the range are simply those

values of y that correspond to each value of x.

Notice that to each value of x in the domain there corresponds one --

and only one -- value of the function. Even though the value 5 is repeated, it
is still one and only one value.

Example 2:

Here is a relationship in which y is not a function of x: y2 = x

Solution :

When x = 4, for example -- y² = 4 -- then y = 2 or −2. To each value of

x, there is more than one value of y.

Example 3:

1. Let y be a function of x as follows: y = 2x2

a) Which is the independent variable and which the dependent variable?

Answer : x is the independent variable and y is dependant variable

b) The domain of a function are the values of the Independent variable,

which are the values of x.

c) What is the domain of that function?

Answer : Since there is no restriction on the values of x, the domain of that
function is any real number.

d) The range of a function are the values of the Dependant variable, which
are the values of y.

e) What is the range of that function?

Answer : Consider that the values of x² are which are never negative.
Range = [ 0 , +infinity)

f) Write any three values of that function as members of an ordered pair.

Answer : (1, 2), (2, 8), (3, 18)

Example : 4

Find the domain and range for the function , f(x) = x2 + 2

Answer : The function f(x) = x2 + 2 is defined for all real values of x.

Hence, the domain of f(x) is "all real values of x".

Since x2 is never negative, x2 + 2 is never less than 2

Hence, the range of f(x) is "all real numbers f(x) ≥ 2".

Example 5: Find the domain and range for the function

Answer : The function

is not defined for t = -2, as this value requires division by zero.

Hence the domain of f(t) is "all real numbers except -2"

Also, no matter how large or small t becomes, f(t) will never be equal to
zero.

So the range of f(t) is "all real numbers except zero".

We can see in the graph that the function is not defined for t = -2 and that the
function takes all values except 0.

QUIZ

1. State the domain and range of the following relation. Is the relation
a function?
{(2, –3), (4, 6), (3, –1), (6, 6), (2, 3)}

A) Domain = { 1 ,2 3, 4 , 5 ,6 } Range = { -3 , -1 , 3 , 6 }
B) Domain = { 2, 3, 4 , 6 } Range = { -3 , -1 , 3 , 6 }
C) Domain = { 2 , 3, 4 ,6 } Range = { -3 , -1 , 0 , 3 , 6 }
D ) None of these

2. If f(x) = 2x + 3 , g(x) = x2 then f( -3 ) + g ( 2) = ________

A) 1
B) -1
C) 13
D) None of the above
3. In the function y = 3x – 5

A) x is dependant , y is independent
B) x is dependant , y is dependant
C) x is independent , y is dependant
D) None of the above

4. If f(x) = x -3

A) Domain = Real Numbers , Range = Real Numbers

B) Domain = ( - infinity , 0 ) , Range = Real Numbers
C) Domain = ( - infinity , 0 ) , Range = ( 0 , + infinity )
D) None of the above

5. State domain and range {(–3, 5), (–2, 5), (–1, 5), (0, 5), (1, 5), (2, 5)}

A) Domain = { -3 ,-2 , -1 , 0 , 1 , 2, 3 } Range = { 5 }

B) Domain = { -3 ,-2 , -1 , 1 , 2, 3 } Range = { 5 }
C) Domain = { -3 ,-2 , -1 , 0 , 1 , 2, 3 } Range = { 5 , 10 }
D) None of the above.