1

Outline
Functions

1.1 Definitions
1.2 Classification of Functions
1.3 Domain and Range of a Function
1.4 Graph of a Function
1.5 Functional Notation
1.6 Evaluation of a Function
1.7 Combinations of Functions
1.8 One-Valued and Many-Valued Functions
1.9 Odd and Even Functions
1.10 Special Function Types

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the basics of functions;

2. Identify the domain and range of a function;
3. Sketch the graph of a function;
4. Determine if a function is odd or even.
1.1 DEFINITONS

Function is a relation between two variables that inhibits an apparent connection. If

the variables are x and y, then y can be determined for some range of values of x.
We call this, y as a function of x denoted by y = f (x). Differential Calculus is limited
only to those relations that are functions defined by equations.

Example. Perform the indicated operation of the given functions.

Problem 1. 𝐼𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 3; 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓(0), 𝑓(2), 𝑓(−4), 𝑓 (−2𝑥 ).

Solution:
𝑓( 𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 3
𝑓(0) = 02 − 0 + 3 = 3 →answer
𝑓(2) = 22 − 2 + 3 = 5 →answer
𝑓(−4) = (−4)2 − (−4) + 3 = 23 →answer
𝑓(−2𝑥 ) = (−2𝑥)2 − (−2𝑥 ) + 3 = 4𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 →answer

Problem 2. 𝐼𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = 7 − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 2 , 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓(0), 𝑓(3), 𝑓(−2), 𝑓(−𝑦).

Solution:

𝑓(𝑥 ) = 7 − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 2

𝑓(0) = 7 − 2(0) + (0)2 = 7 →answer

𝑓(3) = 7 − 2(3) + (3)2 = 10 →answer

𝑓(−2) = 7 − 2(−2) + (−2)2 = 15 →answer

𝑓(−𝑦) = 7 − 2(−𝑦) + (−𝑦)2 = 7 + 2𝑦 + 𝑦 2 →answer

Problem 3. 𝐼𝑓 𝑓(𝑦) = 𝑦(𝑦 − 3)2 , 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓(3), 𝑓(−1), 𝑓(𝑥 + 3).

Solution:
𝑓 ( 𝑦 ) = 𝑦( 𝑦 − 3 ) 2
𝑓(0) = 0(0 − 3)2=0 →answer
𝑓(3) = 3(3 − 3)2 = 0 →answer
𝑓(−1) = −1(−1 − 3)2 = −16 →answer
𝑓(𝑥 + 3) = 𝑥 + 3((𝑥 + 3) − 3)2 = 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 3) →answer

1.2 CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONS

1.2.1 Algebraic Function

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 2

 Algebraic functions are functions that involves algebraic operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication and dividion. Generally, we will divide
algebraic functions into three categories.
a. Polynomial function

- These are functions with one independent varibale that

appearsmore than twice in every terms and is raised to any integer
power. It can be categorized depending on its degree.

Linear Functions – a polynomial with a degree of one.

Quadratic Functions – a polynomial with a degree of two.
Cubic Functions – a polynomial with a degree of three.
Quartic Functions - a polynomial with a degree of four.
Quintic Functions - a polynomial with a degree of five.

b. Rational function
- Are functions that is written in ratio of two polynomial functions and
where the polynomials in the denominator is not equal to zero.
Generally, it is in the form,
𝑁(𝑥)
𝑓( 𝑥 ) =
𝐷(𝑥)
c. Irrational Functions

- Are functions that cannot be expressed in ration and they are

usually polynomials inside a radical.
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑛√𝑃(𝑥)

1.2.2 Transcendental Function

These are functions which are not classified as algebraic function are
considered as transcendental functions namely the exponential, logarithmic,
trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, hyperbolic and inverse hyperbolic
functions.

1.3 DOMAIN AND RANGE

All the possible values of x is called the domain and all the possible values of
y is called the range. In a set of ordered pairs, the set of first elements and
second elements of ordered pairs is the domain and range, respectively.

Example: Identify the domain and range of the following functions.

1. S = { ( 4, 7 ),( 5, 8 ),( 6, 9 ),( 7, 10 ),( 8, 11 ) }
Solution:
Domain: { 4,5,6,7,8}

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 3

 Range: {7,8,9,10,11}

2. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1
Solution: the graph of 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 is a circle with center at the origin and
whose radius is 1 unit. It is set of points lying on the circle.
The domain is the set of all real numbers of x such that x ≥ -1 and x ≤ 1.
Using set notation, we get

𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛: {𝑥/𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1}

The range is the set of all real numbers y such that y ≥ -1 and y ≤ 1.
Thus,
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒: {𝑦/𝑦 ∈ 𝑅, −1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 1}

1.4 GRAPH OF A FUNCTION

Ways of Expressing a Function

1. Set notation
2. Tabular form
3. Equation
4. Graph
5. Mapping

Example: Express the function y = 2x;x= 0,1,2,3 in 5 ways.

1. Set notation
(a) S = { ( 0, 0) , ( 1, 2 ) , ( 2, 4 ), ( 3, 6) } or
(b) S = { (x , y) such that y = 2x, x = 0, 1, 2, 3 }

2. Tabular form
x 0 1 2 3
y 0 2 4 6

3. Equation: y = 2x
y
4. Graph
55
4 ●
3
2 ●
1
● x
-5 -4 -3 -2
-5 -1-1 1 2 3 4 55
-2 1
-3
-4
-5
-5

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 4

 5. Mapping

x y

0 0
1 2
2 4
3 6

Example: Determine whether or not each of the following sets represents

a function:
1. A = {(-1, -1), (10, 0), (2, -3), (-4, -1)}
2. B = {(2, a), (2, -a), (2, 2a), (3, a2)}
3. C = {(a, b)| a and b are integers and a = b 2}
4. D = {(a, b)| a and b are positive integers and a = b 2}

Solution:
1. A is a function.
There are more than one element as the first component of the ordered
pair with the same second component namely (-1, -1) and (-4, -1), called
a many-to-one correspondence. One-to-many correspondence is a not
function but many-to-one correspondence is a function.

2. B is a not a function.
There exists one-to-many correspondence namely, (2, a), (2, -a) and
(2,2a).

3. C is not a function.
There exists a one-to-many correspondence in C such as (1, 1) and (1,-1),
(4, 2) and (4, -2), (9, 3) and (9, -3), etc.

4. D is a function.
The ordered pairs with negative values in solution c above are no longer
elements of C since a and b are given as positive integers. Therefore, one-
to-many correspondence does not exist anymore in set D.

1.5 FUNCTIONAL NOTATION

Letters like f , g , h, F,G,H and the likes are used to designate functions.
When we use f as a function, then for each x in the domain of f , f ( x )
denotes the image of x under f .

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 5

 The notation f(x) is read as “ f of x ”.

1.6 EVALUATION OF A FUNCTION

To evaluate a function, substitute the input (the given number or expression)
for the function's variable (place holder, x).
Replace the x with the number or expression.

Example: Evaluate the function.

1. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 − 5 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = −1
Solution:
Since 𝑥 = −1, we substitute this value in the function and simplify. In
doing so, we get a solution that looks like this.
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 − 5
𝑓(−1) = 3(−1) − 5
𝑓(−1) = −3 − 5
𝑓(−1) = −8 → answer

2. ℎ(𝑘) = 2𝑘 2 − 5𝑘 + 1 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑘 = 3
Solution:
Observe that the function here is h and the input value is k. Just like in
our previous example, we want to substitute whatever the numerical value
assigned to k into the given function, and simplify.

Since k=3, your solution should look similar to this

ℎ(𝑘) = 2𝑘 2 − 5𝑘 + 1
ℎ(3) = 2(3)2 − 5(3) + 1
ℎ(3) = 2(9) − 15 + 1
ℎ(3) = 18 − 15 + 1
ℎ(3) = 4 → answer

1.7 COMBINATIONS OF FUNCTIONS

Just as numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided, new
functions can be created by applying these same operations.

When adding, subtracting and multiplying, the domain of the new function
will contain the x-values common to the domains of both original functions.

When dividing functions the domain is further restricted such that the
denominator does not equal zero

Let f and g be two functions. Then for values of x in the domain of both f and
g the sum, difference, product and quotient of the two functions are defined
as follows:
 Sum: ( 𝑓 + 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓( 𝑥 ) + 𝑔( 𝑥 )

 Difference: ( 𝑓 − 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓( 𝑥 ) − 𝑔( 𝑥 )

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 6

 Product: ( 𝑓 · 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓( 𝑥 ) · 𝑔( 𝑥 )

 Quotient: ( 𝑓/ 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓( 𝑥 ) /𝑔( 𝑥 ) , 𝑔( 𝑥 ) ≠ 0

Example:
1. Find the sum and difference of 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 − 7.
Then evaluate the new functions when 𝑥 = 1.
Solution:
Step 1: Find the sum of the two functions.
( 𝑓 + 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓( 𝑥 ) + 𝑔( 𝑥 ) →Sum Rule
Substitute:
( 3𝑥 − 2 ) + ( 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7 )
Combine like terms:
( 𝑓 + 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 9 → answer

Step 2: Find the difference of the two functions.

( 𝑓 − 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓( 𝑥 ) − 𝑔( 𝑥 ) →Diff. Rule
Substitute:
( 3𝑥 − 2 ) − (𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 7 )
Distribute the negative:
3𝑥 − 2 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 7
Combine like terms:
( 𝑓 − 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 5 → answer

Step 3: Evaluate the new functions with the given value of x.

( 𝑓 + 𝑔 )( 1 ) = (1)2 + 8( 1 ) − 9 = 0 → answer

( 𝑓 − 𝑔 )( 1 ) = − ( 1 )2 − 2( 1 ) + 5 = 2 → answer

2. Find the product and quotient of 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 5𝑥 − 2. Then

evaluate the new functions when 𝑥 = 2.
Solution:
Step 1: Find the product of the two functions.
( 𝑓 · 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓( 𝑥 ) · 𝑔( 𝑥 )
Substitute:
( 4 𝑥 2 ) · ( 5𝑥 − 2 )
( 𝑓 · 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 20 𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 2 → answer

Step 2: Find the quotient of the two functions.

𝑓( 𝑥 )
( 𝑓/ 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) =
𝑔( 𝑥 )
Substitute:
4 𝑥2
( 𝑓/ 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = → answer
5𝑥 −2

Step 3: Evaluate the new functions with the given value of x.

( 𝑓 · 𝑔 )( 2 ) = 20 (2)3 − 8(2)2

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 7

 ( 𝑓 · 𝑔 )( 2 ) = 128 → answer

4 (2) 2
( 𝑓/ 𝑔 )( 2 ) = 5(2)−2
( 𝑓/ 𝑔 )( 𝑥 ) = 2 → answer

1.8 ONE-VALUED AND MANY-VALUED FUNCTONS

Consider the following graphs:

Figure 1 Figure 2

In figure 1, each value of x maps to only one value of y . . . and each y is

mapped from only one x.
y = x 3 + 1 is an example of a one-to-one function

In figure 2, Each value of x maps to only one value of y . . . BUT many other
x values map to that y.
y = sinx is an example of a many-to-one function

One-to-many is NOT a function. It is just a relation. Thus a function is a

relation but not all relation is a function.

In order to have a function, there must be one value of the dependent

variable (y) for each value of the independent variable (x). Or, there could
also be two or more independent variables (x) for every dependent variable
(y). These correspondences are called one-to-one correspondence and many-
to-one correspondence, respectively. Therefore, a function is a set of ordered
pairs of numbers (x, y) in which no two distinct ordered pairs have the same
first number.

1.9 ODD AND EVEN FUNCTIONS

Odd functions are functions whose graphs are symmetrical with respect to
the origin. The function is odd if and only if:

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 8

 𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −𝑓(𝑥)

Even Function are functions whose graphs are symmetrical with respect to
the origin. The function is odd if and only if:

𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑥)

Neither Odd nor Even

Don't be misled by the names "odd" and "even" ... they are just names ...
and a function does not have to be even or odd. In fact most functions are
neither odd nor even

Example: Determine if the following functions are even,odd or neither:

a. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 4 sin 𝑥
b. 𝑓(𝑡) = 2 cos 𝑡
c. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 3|𝑥 |
d. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5
e. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 5𝑥 3 − 4𝑥
f. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 2 + 5

Solution:
a. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 4 sin 𝑥
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 4 sin(−𝑥 )
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −4 sin 𝑥
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −𝑓(𝑥) → Odd Function

b. 𝑓(𝑡) = 2 cos 𝑡
𝑓(−𝑡) = 2 cos(−𝑡)
𝑓(−𝑡) = 2 cos 𝑡
𝑓(−𝑡) = 𝑓(𝑡) → Even Function

c. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 3|𝑥 |
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 3|−𝑥 |
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 3𝑥
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑥) → Even Function

d. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 2(−𝑥)3 − 3(−𝑥)2 − 4(−𝑥) + 5
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5
−𝑓(𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5
𝑓(−𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(−𝑥 ) ≠ −𝑓(𝑥) →Neither Even or Odd Function

e. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 5𝑥 3 − 4𝑥
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 5(−𝑥)3 − 4(−𝑥)
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −5𝑥 3 + 4𝑥
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −𝑓(𝑥) →Odd Function

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 9

 f. 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 2 + 5
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −2(−𝑥)2 + 5
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = −2𝑥 2 + 5
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑥) →Even Function

1.10 SPECIAL FUNCTION TYPES

The Absolute Value Function

- The absolute value of a number is always positive and it can never
be negative.

The Signum Function

- Signum is a latin word for sign. Except at zero, the value of the
signum function is determined by the algebraic sign of its
argument. When the argument is positive, sgn x=+1; when x is
negative, sgn x=-1.

The Greatest Integer Function

- The symbol x is defined as the greatest integer which is less tha
or equal to the number x. The greatest integer function is defined
by
𝑓(𝑥 ) = [𝑥] = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑛 ≤ 𝑥.

The Split Function

- A function that is defined by different formulas for different parts of
its domain called a split function.

MATH 34 CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS 10