Safavi1(2/17/12) Functions Definition of Function: A Function f from a set of A to a set B is a relation that assigns to each element x in the set

A exactly one element y in the set B. The set A is the Domain (inputs) of the function f, and the set B contains the Range (outputs). Example:

Characteristics of a Function from set A to set B: 1) 2) 3) 4) Each element in A must be matched with an element in B Some elements in B may not be matched with any element in A. Two or more elements in A may be matched with the same element in B. An element in A (domain) can not be matched with two different elements in B.

Vertical Line Test for Functions: A set of points in a coordinate plane is the graph of y as a function of x if and only if no vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point. Example:

Evaluating a Function: Evaluating a function involves substituting the value of the variable in each occurrence of x in the equation. Example: Let g(x)=-x2+4x+1, find each function value: g(2) g(t)

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g(x+2) Example: Evaluate the function when x=-1,0 and 1

In a function such as y=x+1, x is the independent variable and y is the dependent variable. The domain of the function is the set of all values taken on by the independent variable x and the range of the function is the set of all values taken on by the dependent variable y. When we have a function such as y=x+1, it means that y is a function of x, if we name the function f, the function is represent in function notation as: f(x)=x+1

Example:

Composite Functions: The composition of the function f with the function g is: (f0g)(x)=f(g(x)) The domain of (f0g) is the set of all x in the domain of g such that g(x) is in the domain of f. Example:

Safavi3(2/17/12) Inverse Functions: Let f and g be two functions such that: f(g(x))= x for every x in the domain of g and g(f(x))=x for every x in the domain of f. Under these conditions, the function g is the inverse function of the function f. The function g is denoted by f-1 (f-inverse) so: f(f-1(x))=x and f-1(f(x))=x The domain of f must be equal to the range of f-1 and the range of f must be equal to the domain of f-1. Example: