MAC 1105 Pre-Class Assignment: Functions and their Multiple Representations

Read section 2.1 Functions, Domain and Range, Graphs of Functions, and 2.2. Properties of Functions to
prepare for class

In this week’s pre-requisite module, we covered the topics evaluating linear expressions and solving linear
equations. Both are crucial skills needed for the conversation that we will be having this week about
functions.

A function relates an input to an output. There are three main parts which constitute a function:
function,
a) The input f
A specific rule which output, y
b) The specific rule input, x
transforms the input into
c) The output the output

A rule is considered a function if it produces only a single output for any given input.

1) Look at the function below

function

input Multiply the input by 7 output

and then subtract 2
Write down the output from the function when the input is:

a) 4 = 26

b) -3 = -23

c) x = 5

d) t = 5

2) State in words the rule defined by each of the functions below. For example, in (a) the rule for f is “multiply
the input by 6”

a) f ( x )=6 x

b) f ( x )=2 x−3 multiply the input by 2 and then subtract it by 3

c) h ( t )=t 3−5 multiply the input by 3 times or the input to the third power and subtract it by 5
MAC 1105 Pre-Class Assignment: Functions and their Multiple Representations
Read section 2.1 Functions, Domain and Range, Graphs of Functions, and 2.2. Properties of Functions to
prepare for class

3) Do f ( x )=2 x 2−1 andh ( t )=2 t 2−1 represent the same function? Justify your answer
Yes they are different variables but still the same thing.

The set of all input values of the function or a relation is called the domain and the set of all output values is
called the range.

A function is a relation in which each member in the domain corresponds to exactly one member in the range.
In other words, each input produces only one output when it goes through the function.

4) Which of the following is a function? If it is not a function, explain the reason. Write the domain and range
for each of the following relations.

a) {( 1,4 ) , ( 1,2 ) , ( 3,4 ) , ( 4,5 ) }

Domain: (1,1,3,4)
Range: (4,2,4,5)

b) y=x 2

c)
MAC 1105 Pre-Class Assignment: Functions and their Multiple Representations
Read section 2.1 Functions, Domain and Range, Graphs of Functions, and 2.2. Properties of Functions to
prepare for class

In this week’s pre-requisite module, you also covered the topics plotting points, intercepts and interval notations. These
are crucial skills needed for the conversation that we will be having this week about graph and properties of functions.

Imagine the situation where you have a growing square that has side length s inches. As the square grows, the length, s,
gets bigger.

Consider the function that relates the perimeter, P, in inches, in terms of s, which is our independent variable. Let’s
name this function P where s is our input and P(s) is our output.

In addition to the verbal description of perimeter above, we want to explore three additional representations of our
function P.

5) Algebraic Formula

a) What is the formula for the perimeter of a square?

b) We can then define P by using function notation and an algebraic expression rule that is in terms of s here:

P ( s )=¿______________

6) Graphical Representation

a) Can s be 0? Explain your answer. There would not be any sides if s was 0

b) Can s be negative? Explain your answer. S can not be negative because there are not negative sides to a sqaure

c) What is the domain and range of P? 4

MAC 1105 Pre-Class Assignment: Functions and their Multiple Representations
Read section 2.1 Functions, Domain and Range, Graphs of Functions, and 2.2. Properties of Functions to
prepare for class

d) Draw the graph of y=P( s) here:

e) So P is a _________linear_________ function.

7) Numerical Data Table

This will be a table filled with input values and output values. Fill in the missing values for P(s).

Input Output

1 1.3
3
1 4

2 8

7 28
40 10

Note that a numerical data table can only show finitely many input-output pairs at any one time.

While these four formats are very different looking, they all capture the same function, and are called the four
representations of f:

 Verbal
 Algebraic
 Graphical
 Numerical
MAC 1105 Pre-Class Assignment: Functions and their Multiple Representations
Read section 2.1 Functions, Domain and Range, Graphs of Functions, and 2.2. Properties of Functions to
prepare for class

8) Describe one advantage of the algebraic representation of f compared to its graphical representation?
One advantage of the algebraic representation of f is that is it easier to respond too and more direct

9) Describe one advantage of the verbal representation of f compared to its numerical representation?
The verbal representation is easier to understand