ALDERSGATE COLLEGE Instructional Module in Math 186 – CALCULUS FOR BUSINESS

Module 1: FUNCTIONS

Prerequisite Skills:  Skills in performing the basic

operation of numbers
 Skills in applying the fundamental
rules of algebra.
 Skills in graphing or mapping.
Instructors: Emerson Y. Castañeto
Level: Second Year
Allotted Time: Six Hours

Overview

In this module, we will study the definition of a function, the notations used for a definition, the evaluation of function
values, and the graphing of functions. We will further learn the algebra of functions and how to combine to form other
functions.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, students learners’ can be expected to:

1. define, characterizes functions and elaborate conditions for a relation to be a function.
2. differentiate an independent variable from a dependent variable.
3. enumerate and give examples to each type of functions.
4. evaluate and graph functions.
5. give the domain and range of a particular function
6. perform basic operations of functions.
7. form the composite functions of given simple functions
8. determine the inverse of a function, if it exist.
9. perform related mathematical operations with speed and accuracy.

Pretest

Name: ____________________________________________________ Date:__________________________

Section:________________________________ Teacher:__________________________________________

.A. Indicate whether each table specifies a function.

B. Indicate whether each set specifies a function.

1. {(1, 3), (2,5), (4,7), (5,9)}
2. {(−3, 5), (−2,4), (−1,3), (0,2)}
3. {(6, −6), (3, −3), (0,0), (3,3), (6,6)}
4. {(1, 3), (2,3), (3,3), (4,4) (5,4), (6,4)}
5. {(0, 2), (1,2), (2,2), (0,1) (1,1), (2,1)}

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C. Indicate whether each graph specifies a function

1. 2. 3.

C. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 2 , find each of the following:

1. 𝑓(2) 7. 𝑔(−3)/𝑓(2)
2. 𝑓(−2) 8. 𝑔(3)
3. 𝑓(0) 9. 𝑓(1/3)
4. 𝑔(−2) 10. 𝑓(1) + 𝑔(2)
5. 𝑔(2) − 𝑓(2) 11. 𝑓(3) − 𝑔(3)
6. 𝑔(0) 12. 𝑔(−2)/𝑓(−2)

D. Find the domain and range of each function.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = √4 − 𝑥 2
3. 1
𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥−4
4. 1
ℎ(𝑥) =
√𝑥 − 1
5.
1
𝑡(𝑥) = √
2𝑥

Determine the inverse of the following functions, if exist.

1. ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 1
2. 𝑖(𝑥) = 4 − 𝑥 2
3. 1
𝑘(𝑥) =
𝑥−4
4. 𝑗(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 4
5. 1
𝑚(𝑥) =
2𝑥 − 1

Learning Focus

Functions and Variables

Functions are relations that correlate the elements of one set to specific elements of another set. Functions
are sometimes also viewed as “machines” that take an input and give a definite output. The set of acceptable values
that can be inputted is called the domain of the function.

Since the input can independently take any value within the domain, it is called the independent variable,
and is commonly represented by x. The output varies depending upon the input; hence) it is called the dependent
variable and is commonly represented by y. The set of all possible values that the dependent variable can take is

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called the “range”. Unless otherwise mentioned, the input and output will be real numbers. This restriction gives us
real valued functions of real variables.
Notation

The fact that the dependent variable y is a function of (i.e., dependent upon) the independent variable x, is written as:
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)(Read: y is equal to f of x) where f is an arbitrarily chosen letter to name the function. A formula to
calculate y can also be written in place of y. For example,𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 9.

Graph of a function

Since a function associates a unique value of y to each value of x in the domain, it can be represented as a
set of ordered pairs (x, y). To obtain the graph of the function, these ordered pairs can be plotted as points using a
coordinate system.
Since for each value of x in the domain there is one and only one value of y, the graph of a function can
never intersect a vertical line more than once. This can be used as a test, called the “vertical line test” to decide
whether a given graph represents a function.

Exampl1. Find the domain and range of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 7.

Since there is no restriction on numbers that can be squared (and then added to 7), the domain is the set
of real numbers. Since the square of a real number is always non-negative) we get 𝑥 2 ≥ 0.
i.e., by adding 7 on both sides, 𝑥 2 + 7 ≥ 7.
Thus the range of 𝑓(𝑥) is all real numbers greater than or equal to 7.
Thus, the domain {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ 𝑅} = (−∞, ∞) and the range ={𝑦|𝑦 ≥ 7} = (7, ∞)

Example 2. Find the domain and range of the function (𝑥) = √𝑥 − 4 .

Since the square root of a negative number is not real, the quantity √𝑥 − 4 under the radical must be non-
negative.Thus, 𝑥 − 4 ≥ 0 And, adding 4 to both sides,𝑥 ≥ 4. Thus the domain will be {𝑥|𝑥 ≥ 4}.

Since,√𝑥 − 4can take values from zero (when 𝑥 = 4)

upwards, the range will be all non-negative real numbers, i.e.,{𝑦|𝑦 ≥ 0 }.

𝑥 2 −9
Example 3.Find the domain of 𝑥−3
Since we cannot divide by zero) the denominator (𝑥— 3)can never be zero.
Thus, 𝑥— 3 ≠ 0 and, adding 3 to both sides 𝑥 ≠ 3.
Thus the domain will be {𝑥| 𝑥 ≠ 3} (— ∞, 3) ∪ (3, ∞).

The Study of Variations

The origin of Calculus can be traced to the study of the variation of one quantity (the dependent variable y)
with changes in another (the independent variable x). Using calculus we can answer questions such as: “At a given
value of x, how fast is y increasing (or decreasing)?”; “As x approaches a certain value, which value, if any) does y
approach?”; “Is the variation of y with x smooth or sudden?”; “For which value(s) of x does y reach its maximum
value?”; and so on.Many of these questions can be answered using the graph of the function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥),but calculus
allows us to avoid using the graph. This is useful because many times the graph is difficult, or even impossible, to
draw. An example would be finding how a function behaves at indefinitely large values of x and/or y.

Example 4.If y varies inversely as 𝑥, so that 𝑥 × 𝑦 = 12, express y as a function of x.

12
𝑥 × 𝑦 = 12 thus 𝑦 = 𝑥 .

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12
Hence, 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
.
Types of Functions

Since there is no limit to the ways in which y can vary with x, there is literally an infinite variety of functions.
However, many functions can be classified as: algebraic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, exponential,
logarithmic, etc.

The classification can be continued further. For example, the algebraic functions can be classified as:
constant, linear, quadratic, cubic, polynomial, rational, etc. The table below shows an example of

Function Category
𝑇(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 trigonometric
𝑍(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 exponential
𝐿(𝑥) = log 𝑏 𝑥 logarithmic
𝐼(𝑥) = tan−1 𝑥 inverse trigonometric
𝐶(𝑥) = 10 constant
𝐿(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 linear
𝑄(𝑥) = 5𝑥 2 − 6𝒙 − 9 quadratic
𝑃(𝑥) = 15𝑥 5 − 14𝑥 4 + 23𝑥 3 – 𝑥 2 + 10 polynomial
3𝑥2+9
𝑅(𝑥) = 𝑥−8 rational

Composite Functions

If the output of a function 𝑔(𝑥) is given as the input to another function 𝑓(𝑥), the net result is a composition
of the two functions 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)), also written as 𝑓𝑜𝑔(𝑥).

Example 5. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 10, find 𝑓o𝑔(𝑥)and 𝑔o𝑓(𝑥).

a) 𝑓o𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓[𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓(𝑥 − 10) = (𝑥 − 10)2

b) 𝑔o𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑔(𝑥 2 ) = 𝑥 2 − 10.

• Note that 𝑓o𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑔o𝑓(𝑥) are not necessarily equal.

Inverse Functions

For a one-to-one function, another function can be found such that one function “undoes” the action of the
other Such functions are said to be inverses of each other. Their composition is the identity function 𝐼(𝑥) = 𝑥 i.e., if
𝑓(𝑥)and 𝑔(𝑥) are inverses of each other and 𝑓o𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 = 𝑔o𝑓(𝑥). The inverse of a function 𝑓(𝑥)is
writtenas𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
1
For example, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 are inverse functions of each other, which can be seen from their
composition.
1 1
𝑓o𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓(𝑥 3 ) = (𝑥 3 )3 = 𝑥
1
𝑔o𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑔(𝑥 3 ) = (𝑥 3 )3 = 𝑥
1
Thus𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 and𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 are inverses of each other.

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Learning Activities

Activity 1
Exercise 1a
Graphs and Mapping

A. Indicate whether each table specifies function.

1. 2. 3.

B. Indicate whether each graph specifies function.

1. 2. 3.

C. Indicate whether each set specifies a function.

1. {(0, -2), (1,-4), (2,-6), (3,-8) (4,-10)}
2. {(-3, 9), (-2,4), (-1,1), (0,0) (1,-1), (2,-4),(3,-9)}
3. {(0, 0), (1,1), (2,2), (3,3)}
4. {(0,-0),(1,-1),(2,-2),(3,-3)}
5. {(5, 0), (5,1), (5,2), (5,3)}

Activity 2
Exercise 1b
Evaluating Functions and Function Composition
𝑓
A. For each pair of functions 𝑓 and 𝑔, form 𝑓 + 𝑔, 𝑓 − 𝑔, 𝑓𝑔 and𝑔.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 32 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 5
4. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥+1
5. 3
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 − 𝑥

B. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 2 andℎ(𝑥) = 2, find each of the following:

1. 𝑓(2) 1. 𝑔(0)
2. 𝑓(−2) 2. 𝑔(−2)/𝑓(−2)
3. 𝑔(2)— 𝑓(2) 3. 𝑓(3)— 𝑔(3)
4. ℎ(3) 4. ℎ(0) − 2

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5. ℎ(5) − 𝑓(2) 5. [𝑓(2)]2

Activity 3
Exercise 1c
Domain and Range

A. Determine the domain and the range of the following functions:

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1
2. 1
𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥−1
3. ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 2 − 1

B. Find the function 𝑔 o 𝑓(𝑥) and give its domain and range.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2
𝑥−1
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 1

Posttest

Name: ____________________________________________________ Date:__________________________

Section:________________________________ Teacher:__________________________________________

Functions

A. Indicate whether each set specifies a function.

1. {(-3, -1), (-2,-1), (-1,2), (0,-1)}
2. {(4, -6), (4,-3), (4,0), (4,3), (4,6)}
𝑓
B. For each pair of functions 𝑓 and 𝑔, form 𝑓 + 𝑔, 𝑓 − 𝑔, 𝑓𝑔 and 𝑔.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥and𝑔(𝑥) = 5
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 − 7 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 8𝑥 + 1

C. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 2 , find each of the following:

1. 𝑓(0) 2. 𝑓(1/3)
3. 𝑔(−2) 4. 𝑓(1) + 𝑔(2)

D. Determine the domain and the range of the following functions:

1. 2
𝑎(𝑥) =
√𝑥
2. 𝑥−2
𝑏(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 − 16
E. Find the function 𝑔o𝑓(𝑥) and give its domain and range.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 − 𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2+𝑥
𝑥+1 1−𝑥

F. Determine the inverse, if it exist, of the given functions below.

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1. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥
2. 𝑥
𝑔(𝑥) =
7−𝑥

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