Functions and function notation In this chapter you will learn how to: ‘= use function notation to describe simple functions (mappings) « find the range of a function, for a given domain « find the inverse of a given function ‘= work with composite functions. You will also be challenged to: «= investigate the Greek alphabet. Starter: Number crunchers Here are some instructions for a number cruncher machine: Trsrecion > Sion witha number T Trstracton Ad 3 othe nambor T Tnstructon Multiply the number by 4 Tnsruction #_ Stop. Wate down te answet g a) Debbie starts with the number p = 2, Work through the number cruncher to show that she should get an answer q = 20, Show all the steps of your working. >) Arthur can’t remember what number he started with, but he did get the answer q = 32. What number did he start with? ©) Alison got instructions 2 and 3 the wrong way round. She ended up with q = 35. What number should she have ended up with?27.1 Introducing functions and function notation Consider the following “number machine" Pe oe cd For any given value of the input number, the instructions tell you to multiply that number by 2 first, and then add 5, to obtain the output number. If the input number is x, then the output number is 2 + 5. ‘This number machine is an example of a function, that is, a process that takes ‘one number and turns it into (maps it to) another one. In this ease, vis mapped toW+5. Functions are often given above function could be w umes such as f, g, hand so on. The rule for the en as f= 2045 Sometimes an arrow is used instead, like this: d+ EXAMPLE a) Write this number machine as a function using the notation fx —> Input +f Mutuiply by 4 sf Aga Lf Omput b) Write this number machine as a function using the notation g(x) Input }of Subiact 2 Lf aautciply 6y-4 sf ouput ©) Work out the values of: @ g(10) Gi) 9-2) SOLUTION a) If the input is x, then this becomes 4x, then 1 is added, to obtain 4x + 1, so fix det 1b) If the input is x, then this becomes x — 2, then this result is to obtain d(x — 2), so multiplied by 4, ae i ©) (i) g(10) = 410-2) 4x8 =32 (i) (2) =4(-2- 2) =4x 4-XERCISE 27.1 1a) Write this number machine as a function using the notation fx > es ee b) Find the values of: (i) £3) (ii) f(10) 2 a) Write this number machine as a function using the notation g(x) = .. input Hef aga s Lf mutipty by 2 Lf Output b) Find the values of: (i) g(7) di) g(—1) 3 The function f(x) is given by fix) = 2x +7. Find the values of: a) f(1) b) £3) ce) f0) 4 The function 9(2) is given by g:x >? +3. Find the values of: a) g(2) b) 2(5) ©) g(—2) 3x+ > 5 The function h(2) is given by h(x) = Find the values of: a) h(5) b) h(-1) ©) h(6)27.2 Domain and range Look again at the number machine from the previous section: Tap ef ay oy? PT Aaas Fol Onn Supposing the input numbers were to be 1, 2, 3 and 4, Then the corresponding output numbers would be 7, 9, 11, 13. We could represent this on a mapping diagram: fa) = 2x +5 The set of numbers that provide the input values is called the domain of the function, in this case, (1. 2. 3,4}. The corresponding output numbers form the range set, in this case {7, 9, 11. 13}. Examination questions will often tell you the domain set for a function, and ask you to find the range. Sometimes the domain will be a small discrete set of numbers (for example. {1, 2, 3, 4}). other times it may be an infinite set, such as all possible numbers on the number line, including fractions and decimals. ‘These are known as the real numbers. EXAMPLE a) The function f(x) = 6x — 2 has domain {0, 1, 2, 3.4}. Find the range of f(x). b) The function g(x) = x? + 3 has as its domain all the real numbers. Find the range of g(x). SOLUTION a) Taking each of the values 0, 1, 2.3, 4 and multiplying by 6, then subtracting 2, we obtain —2, 4, 10, 16 and 22 so the range of f(x) is [—2. 4, 10, 16, 22). b) The real numbers take positive and negative values, but when squared must give a positive value (or zero). Thus \? takes all real values from 0 upwards, so the range of x? + 3 takes all real values greater than or equal (0 3.Some functions might lead to arithmetic that cannot be carried out, such division by zero, or finding the square root of a negative number. In such cases it is necessary to restrict the domain, so that the function is properly defined, that is, some values might need to be excluded from the domain of the function. EXAMPLE a) The function f(x) is cefined as fs. —> where x is a real number. r Which real number must be excluded from the domain of the function fix)? b) The function g(x) is defined as g : x Va }, where x is a real number, Which real numbers must be excluded from the domain of the function g0)? SOLUTION a) To avoid division by zero, x — 2 must not be zero, so x= 2 must be excluded from the domain of (2). b) To avoid square rooting a negative number, x ~ 4 must be 0 or positive, so x must be at least 4. Thus all real numbers less than 4 must be excluded from the domain of g(x). EXERCISE 27.2 2x + 1 has domain (1,2, 3, 4}. Find the range of f(2). 2 1 The function f(x) 2 The function g(x) = 7 bas domain (1, 2, 3,4). Find the range of g(x). = xhas domain (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Find the range of h(x), 3 The function h(x) 4 The function f(x) = 10x + 5 has domain {—1, 0, 1, 2}. Find the range of f(x). 5 The function g(x) = 2(x + 3) has domain {0, 2, 4, 6, 8}. Find the range of g(x). 6 The function h(x) =? + | has domain {—1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4}. Find the range of h(x).16 7 State the value of + that must be excluded from the domain of the function f(x) = 8 State the values of x that must be excluded from the domain of the function g(x) = Vx— 3. 9 The function f(x) =x? + 6 has domain all real numbers. Find the range of f(x). 10 The function g(x) = 2x + 1 has domain (x: 0 EXAMPLE The function f(x) is defined as f(x) = 3x2 + 7, where x is a positive real number. Find the inverse function f(x). SOLUTION Begin by writing x = f(y). so, in this case x=3y+7 Now rearrange, to make y the subject: BY +7=x 3yr=x-7 x-7 Thus the inverse function is flay = x) \ EXERCISE 27.3 1 The function f(x) is defined as f(x) = 4x + 3. a) Find (5). b) Find f-1(35). 2 The function g(x) is defined as g: x 2(x + 5) Find the value of x for which g(x) = 24. 3 Given that f(x) = 2x + 11 find f"(x). Write your answer in the form f(x) =... 4 Given that h: x $+ 3 find h-'(x), Write your answer in the form h-! sx > ...5 The functions p and q are defined as follows: pixo3x-l qixort+l a) Find: (i) p(4) (id) q(S) b) Find: (i) p7!(5) (ii) q7'(50) 6 Find the inverse of each of these functions: a) f(x) =5x+7 b) ga) = + +3 ©) ha) = 7 The function p is defined as p: x 3 2x +7 a) Find the value of p(4). b) Given that p(a) = 1, work out the value of a. 8 The function f is defined as f : x > x? + | for all positive values of x. a) Find the value of p(2). b) Given that p(n) = 50, work out the value of n. ¢) Find the inverse function. Write your answer in the form f-!(x) =... 9 The function g is defined as g:.x > 4x + 3 for all positive values of x. a) Find the value of g(3). b) Solve the equation g(x) = 9. ©) Find the inverse function. Write your answer in the form gx) = ... x-5 10 The function h is defined as h(x) = 3 Solve the equation h7!(x) = 6x.27.4 Composite functions Suppose you have two different functions, for example f(x) = 2x + 5 and g(x) = 2°. The composite function fg(x) is the result of applying one of the functions to an input value of x, then applying the other function to the result. You always process the function nearest the (x) bracket first, so fa(x) means ‘apply g to x first, then apply f to the result’. Apply function g Ls) Apply function f It is very important to take great care with the order in which the functions are applied since, in most cases, fg(x) and gf(x) are not the same. EXAMPLE The functions f and g are defined over the domain of all the real numbers as f(x) = 2x + Sand g(r) =2?. a) Find the values of: (@ fa(3) (ii) gf) b) Express the composite function fg in the form fg(x) = ... c) Express the composite function gf in the form gf(x) = SOLUTION a) (i) fg(3) =f) (ii) gf(3) = gL) =2x9+5 =i =184+5 =121 =23 — b) fac) = fa") =2xKx45 =wts ©) gfx) = g(x + 5) =(2v+5/PEXERCISE 27.4 1 The functions fand g are defined over the domain of all the real numbers as fox) a) Find the values of: (fe) (ii) gfiay 1b) Express the composite function fg in the form fg(x) 2 The functions f and g are defined over the domain of all the real numbers as f(x) =? + I and g(x) = 2x. a) Find the values of: fe2) did gf) b) Express the composite function gf in the form gf: > .. 3 The functions p and q are defined over the domain of all the real numbers as p(x) = 4x + 1 and q(x) = + 1 a) Express the composite function pq in the form pq(x) =... 1b) Find the value of a if pq(a) = 7. Afixo ave giv 2-3 Solve the equation fg(4) = 20). 5 Functions pandq are defined as p:x—>2+Ve 0 qix—>Sx+4 Find the values of: a) p(l6) b) q(-2) ©) p iq) 6fixoat giv 2-9 Solve the equation gfx) = £0). Throar+l gxox-2 Solve the equation f(x) = g-'ay, 2+ > ‘a) Find the composite function pq in the form pq(x) b) Describe the relationship between the functions p and q. 8 Functions p and q are defined as pix aoREVIEW EXERCISE 27 1 Here are three functions: oy Qo oo fay=S+2r gay=VIO—¥ he) => a) Fin (i) fC1.5) (i) 6) (iii) h7) b) (i) Given that f(a) = 2. find a. (ii) Given that g(b) = 5, find b. (iii) Given that h(c) = 1, find c. 2 The functions f(x) and g(x) are defined as follows: - | fix a) giro a) Find: (i) fg(3) (ii) gf(1.5) b)_ Express the composite function fg in the form fg(x) = ) Which value must be excluded from the domain of f(x)? 3 The function f is defined as f(x) = 3x + 1. a) Find: @ f(4) di) £10) b) Express the function ff(x) in the form ax + b, stating the values of a and b. 4 Three functions are defined with their domains as follows: fx) = 20 + 15 is any real number} ga) = any real number} h(a) = sina’) a) Find the range of each function. b) Find the values of x for which {( ©) Find the value of x for which ho) 5 The functions g and h are defined, with their domains, as g(a) = 243 domain (x: 0€ x <6} hia) = 4-1 in (xm <<} a) Find the range of g. b) The functions g and h have the same range. Find the values of nn and 1.+1 2x+1 6 pws qw=> x72 x71 a) Find the values of: @ pa) (ii) pq(2) b) Express the composite function pq in the form pq(x) = ..- ¢) Describe the relationship between the functions p and q. Thxot gix>4y—-1 a) Find the values of: (i) £02) (i) fe(3) b) Express the inverse function f~! in the form f-!: «>... ©) (i) Express the composite function fg in the form fg:x > ... (ii) Which value of x must be excluded from the domain of fg? 8 Three functions p, q. rare defined as follows: ps) = 5x with domain {x: x is a real number such that 0 <.x< 18} qi) =2—6 — with domain {x x is any real number} 1x) =cos(®) with domain {x: 0 2x-1 exoa4o a) Find the values of: (i) £G) (ii) fe) b) Express the inverse function f~! in the form f-!:x >... c) (i) Express the composite function gf in the form gf: >... (ii) What value of x must be excluded from the domain of gf? WE:(@=2 g:()=x-6 Solve the equation fg(x) = g-'(x).