Graphs and Functions

Function

A function is a correspondence between a first set,

called the domain, and a second set, called the range,
such that each member of the domain corresponds to
exactly one member of the range.

The inputs (members of the domain) are values of x

substituted into the equation. The outputs (members of
the range) are the resulting values of y.

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1
 Vertical-Line Test

If it is possible for a vertical line to cross a graph more

than once, then the graph is not the graph of a function.

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Finding Domains of Functions

When a function f whose inputs and outputs are real

numbers is given by a formula, the domain is understood
to be the set of all inputs for which the expression is
defined as a real number. When an input results in an
expression that is not defined as a real number, we say
that the function value does not exist and that the number
being substituted is not in the domain of the function.

1 5x 2  x  4
f ( x)  g ( x)  2
x7 x  x2

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2
 The Rectangular Coordinate System

x-axis and y-axis (x-coordinate, y-coordinate)

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Equations of Horizontal and Vertical Lines

The graph of x = k is the graph of a vertical line k

units from the y-axis.
The graph of y = k is the graph of the horizontal line
k units from the x-axis.
x = 7

y=3

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 Slope of a Line
The slope m of a nonvertical line passing through the
points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is
y2  y1 vertical change Rise
m  
x2  x1 horizontal change Run
where x1  x2

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Examples

4
 Solutions of Equations

Construct a table of values

showing some solution
points for the equation
3
y x2
4
Plot the solution points on
a rectangular coordinate
system.

x 4 0 4 8
y 1 2 5 8

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Slope-Intercept Form of the Equation of a Line

The graph of the

equation
y = mx + b
is a line whose
slope is m and
y-intercept is
(0, b).

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 Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Two distinct nonvertical Two distinct nonvertical lines

lines are parallel if and only are perpendicular if and only
if they have the same slope. if their slopes are negative
reciprocals of each other.
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Equation of a Line

ax  by  c  0 general form

y  y1  m x  x1  point-slope form

y  mx  b slope-intercept form

y2  y1
y  y1  x  x1  two-point form
x2  x1

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