Functions and Graphs

Use flipchart Types of numbers as a basis of discussing the following sets.

W = the set of whole numbers, i.e. {0, 1, 2, 3, 4 }
Z = the set of integers, i.e. {, 3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2, 3 }
Q = the set of rational numbers, i.e. numbers that can be written as fractions
R =

the set of real numbers (For the purpose of this course you can think of this
as being all numbers).

means is a member of e.g. 2N

Note:

Set builder notation is not required for this course, but may have to be outlined
briefly as it is used in the textbook, both in questions and answers.

Functions
A function is a rule that links every member of a set A to exactly one member of a set B.
For any function f, the image of a value a is the value of f a .
Set A is called the domain; Set B is called the range and contains the images of the elements
of set A.
Examples:
1.

(a)

The function f defined by f x 2 x 1 has domain {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}.

(a) State the range
(b) Draw an arrow diagram
(c) Draw a graph

f x = 2x + 1

(b)

Domain

Range

f 0 = 20 + 1 = 1

f 1 = 21 + 1 = 3

0
1
2
3
4

f 2 = 22 + 1 = 5
f 3 = 23 + 1 = 7

f 4 = 24 + 1 = 9
range = {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}

Page 1 of 16

1
3
5
7
9

(c)

f (x)
10

2.

Repeat example 1 for the function g defined by g x x 2 with domain

{2, 1, 0, 1, 2}

(a)

g x = x

(b)

Domain

Range

2
1
0
1
2

g 2 = (2) = 4

g 1 = (1) = 1

g 0 = 0

= 0

g 1 = 1

= 1

g 2 = 2

= 4

1
4

range = {0, 1, 4}

(c)

g(x)

-2

Remember:

The domain is the set of values of x for which the function is defined.
The range is the set of values of f(x)
Page 2 of 16

Remember: If f is a function.
every element of the domain has an image in the range,
e.g. f x 1x , xR is not a function because x 0 does not have an image.
every element of the domain must have only one image in the range,
e.g. f x x is not a function because every value of x (except 0) has two images
(e.g.

25 = 5 or 5)

Example: State the largest possible domain for the function f x x 5

The only problem is where x 5 < 0, i.e. where x < 5.
So the largest possible domain is all real numbers greater than or equal to 5,
i.e. the domain is given by x 5 , where x is any real number.
Example: State the largest possible domain for the function g x

x2
x

The only problem is where x = 0.

So the largest possible domain contains all real numbers except 0.
i.e. the domain is the set of all real non-zero numbers, ( x R, x 0 )
Powerpoint BW Which Graphs Represent Functions?
Heinemann p24 Ex 2B
(Note: qu4 (c) Set builder notation not required; qu 6: Set builder notation will need to be
explained.)
Composition of Functions
A function of a function is known as a composition of functions, or a composite function.
Example:

f x 3x and g x x 2 , where the domain of f is {2, 1, 0, 1, 2}

To find f g x , we must find g x , then apply the function f.
g
x
+2
2
1
0
1
2

f
x+2
0
1
2
3
4

f g x

Page 3 of 16

3 (x + 2)
0
3
6
9
12

Note:

f g x f x 2

but

g f x g 3x

3 x 2

3x 2

3x 6

3x 2

Important: The order is vital!

1.
2.

Example:

Always work with the inside function first.

In general, f g x g f x

If f x x 2 and g x x 1
(a) evaluate g f 2

(b) find a formula for g(f(x))

g f 2 g 4

f 2 22
4

4 1

x2 1

x 1

g f x g x2
2

Heinemann p26 Ex 2C qu 1 orally; qu 2 written

Inverse of a Function:
The inverse of a function f can be thought of as the opposite of the function, or the function
working backwards. It is written as f 1 x .
e.g.

f x 2x :

so f 1 x

10

1
x
2

g x x 3 :

+3
4

so g 1 x x 3

7
3

h x 2x 1 :

2
Note the order of the operations!

Important:

+1

2
6

7
1

f f 1 x x and f 1 f x x

Page 4 of 16

so h1 x

x 1
2

e.g.

If f x x 2 , f 1 x x 2

f 1 f 5

f f 1 7

f 1 7

f 5

2.

x
3

f -1(x) =

7
2
f 1

1. f(x) = 3x2

Examples:

f
+2

f(x) =

f -1(x) =

x2 7
5
5x 7

Heinemann p28 Ex 2D qu 2, 3
Heinemann p31 32 Ex2I

Graphs of Inverses
The graph of the function f 1 can be found by reflecting the graph of the function f in the line
yx
e.g.

y f 1 x

y=x

y f x

0
WS Graphs of Inverses

Exponential and logarithmic functions

f x 2x , g x 10 x , h x 4 etc. are examples of exponential functions. The base of f
x

is 2, the base of g is 10 and the base of h is 4.

f x a x , xR, is called an exponential function to base a, aR, a 0.

Page 5 of 16

Draw the graph of y 2 x , x R

Example:

x
3

y
3
2 213 18
2

1
0
1
2
3

21

7
6

1
22

1
4

1
21

12

20 1
21 2
22 4
23 8

y 2x

3
2
1

x
-3

-2

-1

This is an exponential growth function and occurs when we graph y a x , with a > 1.
Use Graph to show the curves y a x for various values of a > 1. Note higher values of a lead
to more dramatic curves, while lower values of a lead to gentler curves. (In the exam, if
they were showing y 2 x and y 3x on a single graph, they would be expected to illustrate
this feature.) Test this by evaluating when x = 1 and x = 1.
The diagram shows the curves y 2 x and
y 3x :

y
8

y 3x

Note the relative positions of the graphs.

y 3x is above y 2 x at the right of the
y-axis, but below y 2 x at the left of the
y-axis.

5
4
3
2

In general, when graphing y a x higher

values of a lead to more dramatic
curves, while lower values of a lead to
gentler curves.
Example:

12 23 8
2
12 22 4
1
12 21 2
0
12 1
1
12 12
2
12 14
3
12 81

0
1
2
3

x
-3

-2

-1

Draw the graph of y 12 , x R

x
2

y 2x

y 12

y
8

7
6
5
4
3
2
1

x
-3

-2

-1

Page 6 of 16

This is an exponential decay function and occurs when we graph y a x , with 1 < a < 1.
For any value of a ( a 0 ), if f x a x then f 1 a1 a and f 0 a0 1 .
Remember:
All exponential functions of this form must pass through the points (1, a) and (0, 1)
The graph of an exponential function does not cross the xaxis.
The inverse function of f x a x is called the logarithmic function to base a, written

f x loga x .

So if f x a x , then f 1 x log a x .
y

All logarithmic functions of this form

pass through (1, 0) and (a, 1).

ya

(1, a)

y log x
a

(a, 1)

As the logarithmic function is the

inverse of the exponential function,
we can obtain the graph of y log a x

x
0

by reflecting the graph of y a x in the

line y x .

Note: The logarithmic graph does not cross the yaxis.

p31 Exercise 2H qu1

Transformations of Graphs
Use Excel sheet Recognising Graphs to go over the graphs that all Higher candidates should
be able to recognise by this stage.
It is important to be able to recognise all of the following graphs. Make sure you learn them.
y

k
x

yx

y x

Page 7 of 16

yk

xk

y x2

y x2

1y

/2

3/2

x
2

-1

yx

y x

1y

y sin x

/2

3/2

x
2

/2

3/2

x
2

-1

1
O

y ax ,

0 a 1

y ax ,

y tan x

y cos x

a 1

x
x

y log a x

y f x a
Pupils to do WS Transformation of Graphs (1) to find how to draw the graph of
y f x a . [Little or no introduction necessary].
Use Boardworks (slides 1 to 3) (or MyMaths (page 1, 8 & 9)) to illustrate result after
worksheet, then give note:
Page 8 of 16

y x2

Examples:

y x 1
y x

y sin x 2

y sin x 1

y x 1
y x2

2
1

x
-

-/2

/2

3/2

-1

y sin x

-1

y sin x 1

-2

In general, to draw the graph of y f x a we slide the graph of y f x vertically,

(upwards for positive a, downwards for negative a). a is added to all the y-coordinates .

y f x a
+a

p36 Exercise 3C qu.1 orally, then qu. 3, 4, (2 as extension)

y kf x
Pupils to do WS Transformation of Graphs (2) to find how to draw the graph of y kf x
and y f x . [No introduction necessary].

Use Boardworks (slides 4 to 8) (or MyMaths (pages 3, 8 & 9) ) to illustrate result after
worksheet, then give note:

Examples:
3

y 3sin x

y 2sin x

1
y sin x y 2 sin x

y 3cos x
y 2cos x
y cos x
1

x y 2 cos x

x
-

-/2

/2

3/2

-/2

/2

-1

-1

-2

-2

-3

-3

Page 9 of 16

3/2

In general, to draw the graph of y kf x we stretch or compress

y f x vertically. (Stretch if k > 1, compress if 0 < k < 1).

y kf x

i.e. all y-coordinates are multiplied by k.

e.g.

y 2 f x
y f x
y 12 f x

On the x-axis the y-coordinate is zero,

so all graphs y kf x cross the
x-axis at the same points as y f x .

Note: If k = 1, i.e. y f x , all y-coordinates are multiplied by 1, so the graph is

reflected in the x-axis (i.e. flipped vertically).
p40 Exercise3G qu 1 together, drawing the graphs on the board and showing how to use the
results learned so far to obtain graphs such as y 3x 2 2 .
p43 Exercise 3K
p40 Exercise 3G, qu.2, 3, 4(a)

(Emphasise the need to take critical points such as intercepts

and turning points, and multiply the y-coordinate as required,
then use the ideas of stretching, compressing and flipping.)

y f x a
Discuss: In this case we are not adding to the y-coordinates. The constant a is added to x
before the function f is applied, giving a transformation in the x-direction.
Pupils to do WS Transformation of Graphs (3) to find how to draw the graph of
y f x a . [No introduction necessary].
Use Boardworks (slides 9 to 11) (or MyMaths (pages 4, 8 & 9) ) to illustrate result after
worksheet, then give note:

Page 10 of 16

Example:
y

y sin x

y sin x 60

y sin x 60

y sin x 120
x

360

-1

In general to draw the graph of y f x a we slide the graph of

y f x a

y f x horizontally, (forward for a negative value of a,

backwards for a positive value of a) be careful of the
direction!

p38 Exercise 3E, qu.1 orally, then qu.2, 3, 4

y f kx
Discuss: Again we are multiplying the x-coordinate by a constant before the function f is
applied, so the transformation is in the x-direction.
Pupils to do WS Transformation of Graphs (4) to find how to draw the graph of y f kx

and y f x . [No introduction necessary, but help may be needed with later examples].
Use Boardworks (slides 12 to 16) (or MyMaths (pages 5, 8 & 9)) to illustrate result after
worksheet, then give note:
Examples:
y sin x

y sin 2 x

y sin x

y sin 3x

x
90

-1

180

270

90

360

180

270

-1

[Note: y sin 2 x has 2 waves in 0 360; y sin 3x has 3 waves in 0 360]

Page 11 of 16

360

In general, to draw the graph of y f kx , we stretch or compress

y f kx

y f x horizontally: stretch if k < 1, compress if k > 1.

k
i.e. all x-coordinates are divided by k..be careful!
Note: If k = 1, i.e. y f x , all x-coordinates are divided by 1, so the graph is reflected
in the y-axis (i.e. flipped horizontally)
y 12

Example: Consider the graphs of

x
y 2 x and y 12 , x R

y 2x

y
8
7

If f x 2 x , then

12

1
2x

6
5

2 x f x .

4
3

Hence the graph of y 12 can be

obtained by reflecting the graph of
y 2 x in the yaxis.
x

2
1

x
-3

-2

-1

p45 Exercise 3M
p41 Exercise 3I, qu.2, 4, 1

Summary
y f x a
+a

y kf x

y f x

y f x a
a

y f kx

y f x

Note: In x-transformations, the direction is the opposite of what we might intuitively expect!

p47 Exercise 3P qu.2(a d), 3, 4(a, b), 5, 12

Combining Transformations
Where two or more transformations in the y direction are applied to a function, the order is as
we would expect.
However, care must be taken with transformations in the x direction, as they are applied as if
we are undoing the transformation!

Page 12 of 16

Example:

y f x

y 2 f x 3

To draw the graph of y 2 f x 3 :

(1, 9)
(1, 6)

(2, 3)

Example:

6
(, 2)
2 1 0

(2, 0) (2, 0) (2, 3)

2
1
0

then

(1, 6) (1, 12) (1, 9)

(0, 2) (0, 4) (0, 1)

To draw the graph of y f 3x 1 , we

need to undo the x transformation:

y f x

(1, 6)
2

then

(Watch the order!)

(2, 0) (3, 0) (1, 0)

y f 3x 1

(1, 6) (0, 6) (0, 6)

(0, 2) (1, 2) (, 2)

WS Transformation of Graphs (5)

Graphs Related to Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Example: The graph shows the function y a x b . Find the value of a and b.
y

(2, 17)

0, 2 :
x

y ax b

2,17 :

2 a0 b

2 1 b
b 1
2

0
p45 Exercise 3N

Page 13 of 16

y ax 1
17 a 2 1
a 2 16
a4

Example: The graph shows the function y log a x . Find the value of a.
y

4,1

4,1 :

y log a x

1 log a 4

a1 a loga 4
a4

p47 Exercise 3O

Trigonometric Graphs
A graph which consists of a repeated pattern is called a periodic graph.
The length of one pattern along the x-axis is called the period.
The amplitude is half of the height of the pattern, i.e.

max value - min value

2

e.g.
3

y 2sin x 1

2
1

x
360

720

-1

period
= 360 , amplitude = 2 ( of 4)
-2
-3
p53 Exercise 4A qu.1 orally(omit (c) error in diagram!), qu 3 written
-4
p54 Exercise
4B (in class if possible, as help will probably be needed!)

Page 14 of 16

Radians
In any circle of radius r, the angle subtended by an arc of
length r is 1 radian.

r
r

Note
Radians are often expressed
as a multiple of

1 radian
The circumference of the circle is given by C = D
i.e.
C = 2r
So 1 complete turn
i.e. 360
so 180

= 2 1 radian
= 2 radians
= radians

radians = 180

Note: All angles are measured in radians unless the degree sign () is shown!
3
4

Example:

cos

= cos ( of 180)
= cos 135
= 0.707

Example:

Change 220 to radians.

Example:

sin 2.3 = 0.746

(setting calculator to radians)

220
radians
180
11
=
radians
9

220 =

p56 Exercise 4C

Exact Values
We can find the exact values of sin, cos and tan of 0, 30, 60, 45, and 90 by looking at
two triangles:
1. An equilateral triangle of side 2 units:
h + 1 = 2

1
2

sin 60 =

3
2

1
2

h + 1 = 4

30
2

2
h

h = 3
h =

60
1

sin 30 =

1
Page 15 of 16

cos 30 =

3
2

cos 60 =

tan 30 =

1
3

tan 60 =

2. An isosceles right-angled triangle, with two sides of 1 unit:

x = 1 + 1
x = 2
x = 2

45

sin 45 =

1
2

cos 45 =

1
2

tan 45 = 1

1
Summary:

0(0)

30( 6 )

45( 4 )

60( 3 )

90( 2 )

sin x

1
2

1
2

3
2

cos x

3
2

1
2

1
2

tan x

1
3

Remember:
180
()

180 x

0 or 360
(0 or 2)

180 + x 360 x

(Angles are measured anti-clockwise from 0)

Examples:

sin 300 = sin 60

= 23

180

360 60

cos (135) = cos 45

= 12

180

180 + 45

tan

5
4

= tan 4
= tan 45
= 1

180 + 45

p59 Exercise 4E

Page 16 of 16

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