Functions Basics (Source: Hamara Hyderabadi Inder Jeet )

(1). When is a function valid ?

=> Our denition of a function says that it is a rule mapping a number to another unique
number.So we cannot have a function which gives two dierent outputs for the same
argument.so f(x)=root(x) isnt a valid function until you put a domain x>=0, as x=1,2..., y=+/-1 , +/-
1.4... etc.
(2). Linear functions:=>Functions of the formf(x) = ax+b are linear, and they are represented
graphically by straight lines. The number a represents thegradient of the line, and the number b
represents the y-axis intercept.
(3) . Polynomial Functions: .=> A polynomial is a function of the formf(x) = anxn +an1xn1
+...+a2x2 +a1x+a0 .The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of x in its expression.
Constant (non-zero)polynomials, linear polynomials, quadratics, cubics and quartics are
polynomials of degree 0,1, 2 , 3 and 4 respectively. The function f(x) = 0 is also a polynomial, but
we say that itsdegree is undened. .=> A polynomial of degree n can have up to (n1) turning
points in it's graph. Eg. a quadratic having U shape has one turn. .=> The number a is a root of
the polynomial function f(x) if f(a) = 0, and this occurs when(xa) is a factor of f(x).If a is a root of
f(x), and if (xa)^m is a factor of f(x) but (xa)^(m+1) is not a factor, then we say that the root has
multiplicity m. At a root of odd multiplicity the graph of the function crosses the x-axis, whereas at
a root of even multiplicity the graph touches the x-axis.
(4.)Exponential and Logarithmic Functions:.=>Exponential:A function of the form f(x) = a^x
(where a > 0) is called an exponential function.The function f(x)=1^x is just the constant function
f(x) = 1.The function f(x) = a^x for a > 1 has a graph which is close to the x-axis for negative x
and increases rapidly for positive x.The function f(x) = a^x for 0 <a< 1 has a graph which is close
to the x-axis for positive x and increases rapidly for decreasing negative x.For any value of a, the
graph always passes through the point (0,1). The graph of f(x) =(1/a)^x = a^(x) is a reection, in
the vertical axis, of the graph of f(x) = a^x.A particularly important exponental function is f(x)=e^x,
where e = 2.718.... This is often called the exponential function..=>Logarithmic: A function of the
form f(x) = log(base a) x, (where a > 0 and a =/=1) is called a logarithm function.The function f(x)
= log(base a) x for a > 1 has a graph which is close to the negative f(x)-axis for x < 1 and
increases slowly for positive x.The function f(x) = log(base a) x for 0<a<1 has a graph which is
close to the positive f(x)-axis for x < 1 and decreases slowly for positive x.For any value of a, the
graph always passes through the point (1,0). The graph of f(x) =log (base 1/a) x, is a reection, in
the horizontal axis, of the graph of f(x) = loga x.A particularly important logarithm function is f(x) =
loge x, where e = 2.718.... This is often called the natural logarithm function, and written f(x) = ln
x.=>The exponential function f(x) = e^x is the inverse of the logarithm function f(x) = lnx.
(5). Composite Functions: f(g(x) => In general gf(x) is not equal to fg(x). => The domain of a
composed function is either the same as the domain of the rst function, or else lies inside it.The
range of a composed function is either the same as the range of the second function, or else lies
inside it..
(6).Maxima Minima: => We can locate the position of stationary points by looking for points
where dy/dx= 0.As we have seen, it is possible that some such points will not be turning points.At
a turning point dy/dx= 0.Not all points where dy/dx= 0 are turning points, i.e. not all stationary
points are turning points. =>We can calculate d2y/dx2 at each point we nd. =>If d2y/dx2 is
positive then the stationary point is a minimum turning point. =>If d2y/dx2 is negative, then the
point is a maximum turning point. =>If d2y/dx2= 0 it is possible that we have a maximum, or a
minimum, or indeed other sorts of behaviour.So if d2y/dx2= 0 this second derivative test does not
give us useful information and we must seek an alternative method like AM-GM.
(7). AM-GM theory: Arithmetic mean is always greater than or equal to geometric mean. =>
(a+b)/2 >= root(a*b)
(8 ). Pascal's Triangle: Pascals triangle 1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
1 5 10 10 5 1 (9).
Binomial expansion: => (a+b)^n = nC0*a^0*b^n + nC1*a^1*b^(n-1) + nC2*a^2*b^(n-2) + ....
nCn*a^n*b^0.(10)
Number of functions:Set A has m elements Set B has n elements.
(1) If m>n One to One function =0 ; If n>m One to One function = P(n,m) ;
(2) Number of functions = n^m ; Number of relations = 2^(m*n) ;
(3) No of Many to One functions = =Number of functions - Number of One to One =n^m -P(n,m) (
(4)If n>m Number of Onto functions =0 ; If m>n Number of Onto functions= sigma ( r = 1 to n) (-
1)^(n-r) *C(n,r)*r^m;.