Mathematics

Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

LESSON 1.3
Evaluating and Graphing Functions
Table of Contents
Introduction 1

Test Your Prerequisite Skills 2

DepEd Competency 2

Objectives 3

Warm-Up! 3

Learn about It! 4

Let’s Practice 7

Check Your Understanding 12

Key Points 13

Photo Credits 14

Bibliography 14
 Mathematics
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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Lesson 1.3
Evaluating and Graphing Functions

Fig. 1. L'Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain 1 - Jan 07

Introduction
Building strong and solid infrastructures needs accurate calculations on the measurement of
its every aspect. Buildings, such as the image above, exhibit lines and curves that can be
derived using the concept of functions. Knowledge in evaluating and graphing functions is
essential for engineers and architects because this helps them ensure the stability of the
infrastructures they are building. In this lesson, we will learn about how to evaluate and graph
functions.

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Test Your Prerequisite Skills

Before you get started, answer the following items on a separate sheet of paper. This will help
assess your prior knowledge and practice some skills that you will need in studying this
lesson. Show your complete solution.

A. Evaluate the following algebraic expressions.

1. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 17 at 𝑥 = −3
2. 𝑦 = −3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 10 at 𝑥 = −1
3
3. 𝑦 = 4 𝑥 3 − 8𝑥 + 12 at 𝑥 = 4

4. 𝑦 = √𝑥 − 2 + 5 at 𝑥 = 11
5. 𝑦 = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 − 9 at 𝑥 = 0

B. Graph the following.

1. 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 3
1
2. 𝑦 = 2 𝑥 − 6
2
3. 𝑦 = − 3 𝑥 2 − 1

DepEd Competency
At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to evaluate functions
(M11GM-Ia-2).

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to do the following:

● Correctly find the value of a function at a given value of 𝑥.

● Accurately construct a table of values for a function.

● Accurately plot points in a coordinate plane to graph functions.

Warm-Up!

Let’s Race to More!

Materials
● two colored pens
● paper

Instructions

1. This activity will be done by pair.

2. The first player will introduce a subject and the second player will name as many
examples of the subject as he or she can.
Example: Country starting with the letter C (Canada, Costa Rica, China, ...)

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

3. The number of examples the first player

was able to name will then be plotted on a
graphing paper given on the right. This will
be Round 1 for player 1.
4. The second player will introduce another
subject while the first player will
enumerate examples. This will be Round 1
for player 2.
5. The result will also be plotted on the same
graph. Be sure to use a different color of
pen to distinguish one from the other.
6. The game can be played in a minimum of five rounds.

Learn about It!

Essential Question
How can you determine the values represented by a function?

One of the most important processes involving functions is to evaluate them for given values
of the variables. Just like algebraic expressions, functions are evaluated by substituting the
given values of the variables and simplifying the resulting expression. If we evaluate a function
𝑓(𝑥) at a certain value, say 𝑥 = 0, the resulting value of 𝑓(𝑥) is denoted by 𝑓(0). Evaluating
functions at given points is also a necessary skill in graphing functions.

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Graphing Functions
In Warm Up!, we have reviewed how to plot points in a Cartesian plane. The skill in accurately
plotting points in a coordinate plane is important in graphing functions.

You can graph any equation or function using a table of values. A table of values is a graphic
organizer or chart that helps you determine two or more points that can be used to create
your graph.

Suppose we want to sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1, we can follow the given steps:

Solution:
Step 1: Tabulate some arbitrary values of 𝑥.

𝒙 𝒚

−2

−1

Step 2: To obtain the corresponding values of 𝑦, evaluate the function at the chosen
values of 𝑥.

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

𝑥 𝑦

−2 −3

−1 −1

0 1

1 3

2 5

Step 3: Plot the ordered pairs on the Cartesian plane.

Essential Question
How can you evaluate a function at specified values of the variable?

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Let’s Practice
Example 1
Evaluate the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1 at (a) 𝑥 = 2 and (b) 𝑥 = 3.

Solution
a. Substitute 𝑥 = 2 and simplify.

𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1
𝑓(2) = 3(2) + 1
𝑓(2) = 6 + 1
𝑓(2) = 7

b. Substitute 𝑥 = 3 and simplify.

𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1
𝑓(3) = 3(3) + 1
𝑓(3) = 9 + 1
𝑓(3) = 10

Try It Yourself!
Evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) = −4𝑥 + 2 at (a) 𝑥 = 0 and (b) 𝑥 = 2.

Example 2
𝑥+2 if 𝑥 < 2
Evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) = {2𝑥 2 − 5 if 𝑥 = 2, when (a) 𝑥 = 0, (b) 𝑥 = 2, and (c) 𝑥 = 4.
√𝑥 + 1 if 𝑥 > 2

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Solution
a. Since 0 < 2, we use the first expression. Substitute 0 in the expression, then simplify.

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2
𝑓(0) = 0 + 2
𝑓(0) = 2

b. Since 2 = 2, we use the second expression. Substitute 2 in the expression, then

simplify.

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 5
𝑓(2) = 2(22 ) − 5
𝑓(2) = 2(4) − 5
𝑓(2) = 8 − 5
𝑓(2) = 3

c. Since 4 > 2, we use the third expression. Substitute 4 in the expression, then simplify.

𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 1
𝑓(4) = √4 + 1
𝑓(4) = √5

Try It Yourself!
𝑥−3 if 𝑥 < 1
Evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥 2 + 4 if 𝑥 = 1, when (a) 𝑥 = 1, (b) 𝑥 = 3, and (c) 𝑥 = −1.
√𝑥 + 2 if 𝑥 > 1

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Example 3
Sketch the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1.

Solution
Step 1: Tabulate some arbitrary values of 𝑥.

𝒙 𝒚

−2

−1

Step 2: To obtain the corresponding values of 𝑓(𝑥), evaluate the function at the chosen
values of 𝑥.

𝒙 𝒇(𝒙)

−2 1

−1 0

0 1

1 4

2 9

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Step 3: Plot the ordered pairs in the Cartesian plane.

Try It Yourself!
Sketch the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1.

Real-world Problems
Example 4
Roberto receives a monthly salary of ₱12 000. On top of his
monthly salary, he also receives a commission of ₱150 for every
cellphone that costs ₱15 000 and above that he sells. How much
will Roberto receive in a month if he was able to sell 20 cell
phones that cost ₱15 000 and above?

Solution
Let 𝑐 be the number of cellphones sold and 𝑅(𝑐) be Roberto’s monthly salary.

Substitute the given values in the function.

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

𝑅(𝑐) = 150𝑐 + 12 000

𝑅(20) = 150(20) + 12 000
𝑅(20) = 3 000 + 12 000
𝑅(20) = 15 000

Thus, Roberto will receive ₱15 000 in a month if he was able to sell 20 cellphones that cost
₱15 000 and above.

Example 5
The cost of producing 𝑥 gadget by a company is given
(in pesos) by the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 500𝑥 + 7 000. What is
the cost of producing 50 gadgets? 100 gadgets?

Solution
We can get the cost of producing 50 gadgets by substituting 50 in the function.

𝑓(𝑥) = 1 500𝑥 + 7 000

𝑓(50) = 1 500(50) + 7 000
𝑓(50) = 82 000

To find the cost of producing 100 gadgets, substitute 100 in the given function.

𝑓(𝑥) = 1 500𝑥 + 7 000

𝑓(100) = 1 500(100) + 7 000
𝑓(100) = 157 000

Therefore, the cost of producing 50 gadgets is ₱82 000 while the cost of producing 100
gadgets is ₱157 000.

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Try It Yourself!
Mr. Gozon starts his journey with 50 liters in the tank of his
car. The car burns 1 liter for every 12 kilometers. If the
amount of gasoline decreases linearly, write a linear
function to represent the number of liters left in the tank
after a journey of 𝑥 kilometers. How much gas is left after
traveling 132 km?

Check Your Understanding

1. Evaluate the given functions at the specified values.
1
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 𝑥 − 1 b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 5

i. 𝑓(0) i. 𝑔(−3)
ii. 𝑓(2) ii. 𝑔(−1)
iii. 𝑓(−1) iii. 𝑔(1)
iv. 𝑓(4) iv. 𝑔(3)
v. 𝑓(−2) v. 𝑔(5)

2. Given the graph of the function, find the specified values.

a. i. 𝑓(−1)
ii. 𝑓(1)
iii. 𝑓(0)

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

b. i. 𝑓(1)
ii. 𝑓(−1)
iii. 𝑓(0)

3. Sketch the graph of each function.

a. 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 2.
b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1
c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3

4. Solve the problem.

A 100-liter tank full of oil is being drained at a constant rate of 5 liters per minute.
a. Assuming that the draining starts at time 𝑡 = 0, write a linear function 𝑉 for the
number of liters in the tank after 𝑡 minutes.
b. How many liters are in the tank after 15 minutes?

Key Points

● A table of values is a graphic organizer or chart that helps determine two or more
points that can be used in creating graphs.

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Grade 11 • Unit 1: Introduction to Functions

Photo Credits
Fig. 1. L'Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain 1 - Jan 07.jpg, by David Iliff is licensed under CC-BY-SA-
3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Bibliography

Pierce, Rod. “Evaluating Functions.” Math is Fun. Accessed January 24, 2019.
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/functions-evaluating.html

Sousa, James. “Intermediate Algebra: Graphs of Functions.” Lumen Learning. Accessed

January 24, 2019.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/intermediatealgebra/chapter/outcome-graphs-of-
functions/

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