General Mathematics

1ST SEMESTER - MIDTERM

A.Y. 2023 - 2024

input value crosses certain boundaries. In this

LESSON 1: FUNCTION AND PIECEWISE case, we need to apply the piecewise function.
- A piecewise function is a function in which more
FUNCTIONS
than one formula is used to define the output.
- Each formula has its own domain, and the domain
Relation
of the function is the union of all these smaller
- Any set of ordered pairs.
domains
- The set of all first elements of the ordered pairs is
called the domain of the relation, and the set of all
second elements is called the range.
Function
- Any set of ordered-pair numbers.
- Is a relation where each element in the domain is
related to only one value in the range by some
rule.
- Is a set of ordered pairs (x,y), such that no two
ordered pairs have the same x-value but different
y-values
- A relation and a function can be presented using:
1. Set of ordered pairs or table of values
2. Mapping Diagram
3. Graphs

Vertical line test – a graph represents a function if and

only if each vertical line intersects the graph at most
once.

Functions as representations of real-life situations

- Functions can often be used to model real-life
situations. Identifying an appropriate functional
model will lead to a better understanding of
various phenomena.

LESSON 2: Evaluating of Functions

Evaluating function
- The process of determining the value of the
function at the number assigned to a given
variable.
- Just like in evaluating algebraic expressions, to
evaluate function you just need to a.) replace
each letter in the expression with the assigned
value and b.) perform the operations in the
expression using the correct order of
operations.

Examples:

Example 1: Given f (x) = 2x − 4, find the value of the

function if x = 3.

f (3) = 2(3) − 4
f (3) = 6 - 4
f (3) = 2

Answer: Given f (x) = 2x − 4, f (3) = 2

Piecewise Function
- There are functions that requires more than one
formula in order to obtain the given output. There
are instances when we need to describe situations
in which a rule or relationship changes as the

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 General Mathematics
1ST SEMESTER - MIDTERM
A.Y. 2023 - 2024

LESSON 3: Operations and Composition

of Functions

OPERATION ON FUNCTIONS
- To perform an operation of function is the same
as performing operations of algebraic
expression.

Addition (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)

Subtraction ( f - g)(x) = f(x) - g(x)
Multiplication (f . g)(x) = f(x) . g(x)
Division (f / g)(x) = f(x) / g(x)

Definition. Let f and g be functions.

1. Their sum, denoted by f + g, is the function
denoted by (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x).
2. Their difference, denoted by f − g, is the function
denoted by (f − g)(x) = f(x) − g(x).
3. Their product, denoted by f • g, is the function
denoted by (f • g)(x) = f(x) • g(x).
4. Their quotient, denoted by f/g, is the function
denoted by (f/g)(x) = f(x)/g(x), excluding the
values of x where g(x) = 0.
5. The composite function denoted by (f ° g)(x) =
f(g(x)). The process of obtaining a composite
function is called function composition.

Solution:

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 General Mathematics
1ST SEMESTER - MIDTERM
A.Y. 2023 - 2024
Composition of Functions
- In the composition of functions, we will have a lot
of substitutions. You learned in the previous lesson
that to evaluate a function, you will just substitute
a certain number in all of the variables in the
given function. Similarly, if a function is
substituted for all variables in another function,
you are performing a composition of functions to
create another function. Some authors call this
operation as “function of functions”.
Examples:
LESSON 4: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS,
EQUATION, INEQUALITIES
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
- A rational function f(x) is a function of the form
Where g(x) and h(x) are polynomials. It is
assumed that g(x) and h(x) have no factor in
common. The definition of rational specifies that
the denominator cannot be zero.
Polynomial Function
- A polynomial function is a function such as a
quadratic, a cubic, a quartic, and so on, involving
only non-negative integer powers and nonfraction
integer power of x.
FUNCTION, EQUATION, INEQUALITIES
- A rational function is a ratio of polynomial
functions. If g and h are polynomial functions,
then is a rational function.
- A rational equation is an equation that involves
the ratio of two polynomials.
- A rational inequality is an inequality that
involves the ratio of two polynomials. It uses
inequality symbols such as <, >, ≥, ≤, ≠
- Rational functions, rational equations, and
rational inequalities are different in form but they
have the same rules about how they can be
rational
Domain and Range
- The domain of a function is the complete set of
possible values of the independent variable. It is
the set of all possible x-values which will make the
function work and will output real y-values
- When finding the domain, remember:
- the denominator of a fraction cannot be zero.
- the number inside the square root sign must be
positive.
- The range of a function is the complete set of all
possible resulting values of the dependent
variable (y, usually), after we have substituted the
domain. It is the resulting y-values we get after
substituting all the possible x-values.
-
Examples:
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 General Mathematics
1ST SEMESTER - MIDTERM
A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Asymptotes of Rational Function

Vertical Asymptote (x values of denominator)
- The graph will have a vertical asymptote at x = a
if the denominator is zero at x = a and the
numerator isn’t zero at x=a.
Horizontal Asymptote (leading terms of numerator
and denominator)
- If n < d, then the x-axis is the horizontal
asymptote or y = 0.
- If n = d, then the line y = 𝑎 𝑏 is the horizontal
—------------------------------------------------------------- asymptote.
- If n > d, there will be no horizontal asymptotes
(slanting asymptote)

Examples

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Intercepts and Zeroes

- The x-intercept is where the graph intersects the
x-axis. It is the value of x that makes the function
zero.
- The y-intercept is where the graph intersects the
y-axis. It is the value of y when x = 0.

Examples:
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 General Mathematics
1ST SEMESTER - MIDTERM
A.Y. 2023 - 2024

Solving Rational Equations An inequality may have infinitely many solutions. The
1. Eliminate denominators by multiplying each term of set of all solutions can be expressed using notation or
the equation by the least common denominator. interval notation.
2. Solve the resulting equation. (a,b) = parenthesis indicates that the number is not part
Examples of the solution
[a,b] = bracket indicates that the number is part of the
solution
Examples

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Solving Rational Inequalities

1. Rewrite the inequality as a single rational expression
in one side of the inequality symbol and 0 on the other
side.
2. Find the key or critical values. To find the key/critical
values, set the numerator and denominator of the
fraction equal to zero and solve.
3. Make a sign analysis chart. To make a sign analysis
chart, use the key/critical values found in Step 2 .
4. Write the solution in interval notation.