Lecture 1 Linear and Quadratic Functions

Introduction to functions

 A function is a mathematical rule that assigns to each input number exactly one
output number.

 The set of all input numbers to which the rule applies is called the domain of the
function and the set of all output numbers is called the range.

 The assigning of output values to corresponding input values is often referred to as a

mapping. The notation : represents the mapping of the set of input values x
to the set of output values y, using the mapping rule f.

 If a function f assigns an output value y to a certain input value x in the domain, it is

written
,
where the letter “f” is the name of the function. Such an expression is read “y equals
f of x” or “y is a function of x”. This means that the value of the variable y depends
upon the value of the variable x. Therefore, the variable x here is called the
independent variable and the variable y is called the dependent variable.

Example 1 (Notation of function)

Given find

Domain and range

 The domain of the function f is the set of all real numbers x for which is a
well-defined(meaningful) real number. Given the domain, the range of a function is
the corresponding set of values for the dependent variable.

Examples 2 (Determining the domain)

a. Find the domain of .

b. Find the domain of .

Restricted domain and range

 There may often be practical conditions within an application which may further
restrict the domain and range of a function.

Example 3 (Finding the restricted domain)

A local radio station has been given the exclusive right to promote a concert in the city’s
civic arena, which seats 30,000 persons. The commission for the radio station is $5,000
plus $2.50 for each ticket sold to the concert.
a. Determine the function C = f(n), where C equals the commission paid to the
radio station, stated in dollars, and n equals the number of ticket sold.
b. Determine the restricted domain and restricted range for this function.

Example 4 (Finding the restricted domain)

The function is a demand function which expresses the
quantity demanded of a product q as a function of the price charged for the product p,
stated in dollars. Determine the restricted domain and restricted range for this function.

 Linear Functions
A linear function involving the independent variable x and the dependent variable y
has the general form , where a and b are constants and .

Example 5
Determine the equation of the linear function which passes through the points (1, 4)
and (4, 1).

 Graphical characteristics of Linear Functions: intercept and slope

The graph of the linear function is represented by a straight line.

 The x intercept of a function is the point where the graph of the function crosses the
x axis. It represents the ordered pairs found by setting y = 0.

 The y intercept of a function is the point where the graph of the function crosses the
y axis. It represents the ordered pairs found by setting x = 0.

 The slope is the change in value of y if x increases by 1 unit.

a)
b) A linear function with a positive slope is a line that rises from left to right, or
runs uphill.
c) A linear function with a negative slope is a line that falls from left to right, or
runs downhill.

 Quadratic Functions
A quadratic function involving the independent variable x and the dependent
variable y has the general form , where a, b, and c are
constants, .

Example 6
Determine the equation of the quadratic function which passes through the points
 .

 Graphical Representation of Quadratic Functions

The graph of the quadratic function is called a parabola and
has a shape like the curves below.

a. A parabola which opens upward (Figure a) is said to be concave up and a

parabola which opens downward (Figure b) is said to be concave down.
i. If > , the parabola opens upward and is concave up.
ii. If < , the parabola opens downward and is concave down.
b. The figures above also show points labeled vertex. If the parabola is concave up,
the vertex is the “lowest” point on the parabola and has the minimum
value at this point. If the parabola is concave down, the vertex is the “highest”
point on the parabola and has the maximum value at this point. The vertex

is always equal to .

c. Each parabola is symmetric about a vertical line, called the axis of symmetry.
The axis of symmetry, which is a vertical line passing through the vertex,
separates the parabola in to two symmetrical halves.
d. The y intercept is (0, c).
e. The x intercept(s) is (are) the value(s) of x when y equals 0.

Example 7
Sketch the quadratic functions:
a. b.
Answer to examples

1. ; ;
2. a.
b.

3. a.
b. Restricted domain:
Restricted range:

4. Restricted domain:
Restricted range:

5.

6.

7. a. Concave up
Vertex: (1, 1)
y-intercept: (0, 2)
No x-intercept

b. Concave down
Vertex: (1, 4)
y-intercept: (0, 3)
x-intercept: (-1, 0) and (3, 0)