Functions (Study unit 1)

MTHS 111

North-West University
Gabriel.Magalakwe@nwu.ac.za

12-16 February 2024

Lesson Outcomes

At the end of today’s lesson you should be able to

1 understand the proper meaning of a function (what is

a function ?)

2 differentiate between:
(a) Inequality (how does it differ from an equation),

(b) Absolute value functions,

(c) Functions and operators.

Be able to solve and analyse the above.
Study unity 1 brief overviewip NM

Week 1
1.1 Solving of Inequalities
1.2 Absolute Value Function
1.3 Functions and Operations with Functions
1.4 Inverse Functions
1.5 Exponential Function
Week 2
1.6 Logarithmic Function
1.7 Radian Measure
1.8 Trigonometric Functions
1.9 Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Thus, will complete Study unity 1 in the first two weeks of the
semester.
What is a function?
A function is a relation between two sets where an element from

one set (the independent variable) relates to one element in the

other set (the dependent variable).

Example: How fast the water boils (temperature) depends on the

amount of heat flux from the fire or stove over time.

Thus, this situation can be represent as (say how temperature

changes till the water boils) f (x) =? (modelling will yield the

equation), with (heat flux) x(t) =? (modelling will yield

the equation), such that f [x(t)] which is f (t).

The following is important to note:

▶ temperature changes over time.
▶ if the heat flux increases over time, the water boils faster .
What is an inequality?

An inequality is the relationship between two quantities (values)

that are not equal, with one less than or greater than the other.

Unlike an equation that seeks precisely the value of something,

inequality seeks a range of values.

Example:
▶ A pass mark is 50%, is an equation.
▶ one needs at least a 50% to pass, this is an inequality.
In life the second statement (inequality) is correct since one needs

50 or more to pass.
Example

Which of the values of x satisfy the inequality given below:

1. (2x + 3)(x − 1) ≥ 0,
1
2. x−1 > 2,
3x−4
3. 2−x ≤ 5,
√
4. −1 < x − 1 ≤ 5.
For workings/detailed solutions, refer to my rough workings.
What is an Absolute value of a function?
The absolute value of a number d is the distance d from the origin
(i.e. 0/zero) on the real number line.
It is denoted by |d|, which is the real numbers, regardless of sign.
Defined as follows:

x if x ≥ 0,
|x| =
−x if x < 0.
Example: You are requested to move at distance x along a
straight path, say |x|, where x = 5m.
This implies moving 5 meters to the right (which is 5) or 5 meters
to the left (which is -5).
See page 10-11 in SG for all important theorems. Know
them!!!!
It is must to be able to use the theorems to solve equations and
inequalities. Also, see Section 5.2 of/in MRC/MIC book.
Sample

What is the meaning of the following? Solve using the real line
1. |x − 1| = −7, no solution, think carefully about this and test
your answers.
2. |3x − 2| = 6,
3. |x + 2| = 5.
Repeat the above and solve them using the definition of the

absolute value function.

For workings/detailed solutions, refer to my rough workings.

Classwork: do these ones yourselves

What is the meaning of the following? Solve using the real line
1. |x − 1| < −7,
2. |3x − 2| > 6,
3. |x + 2| ≥ 5.
Repeat the above and solve them using the definition of the

absolute value function.

Sample

Sketch the following function (absolute):

1. y = |x| − 2,
2. y = |x + 1| + 1,
3. y = |2x − 1|.
The general form of an absolute value function:y = |x − a| + b.

For workings/detailed solutions, refer to my rough workings.

Important interval representations
Example

Determine the intersection (∩) and union (∪) between: (3, 6] and

{x|3 ≤ x ≤ 4}.

For workings/detailed solutions, refer to my rough workings.

Functions and operators
A function is a relation between two sets where an element from
one set (the independent variable) has a relation with one element
in the other set (the independent variable).
Definition 2: A function f : A → B is a ruling whereby for each
element in set A, each
is assigned to exactly one element in set B.
Below are five elementary functions found on pg 12 of the study
guide.
1. Constant function: f (x) = c where c ∈ R and x ∈ R,
2. Power function: f (x) = x n where n ∈ R and x ∈ R,
3. Sine function: f (x) = sin x where x ∈ R,
4. Cos function: f (x) = cos x where x ∈ R,
5. Exponential function: f (x) = ax , with a > 0 where x ∈ R,
Range and Domain of a function

1. The domain of a function refers to all points where the

function is defined. See Definition 3 (on pg 12 of SG).
In a coplanar a domain is the position along x-axis where the
function exists denoted by Df
2. The number f (x) is the value of the function f at the point
x. See Definition 4 (on pg 12 of SG).
3. The range of a function is all possible values of the
function for all points in the domain. See Definition 5 (on
pg 12 of SG).
In a coplanar a range is the position along y -axis where the
function exists and denoted by Rf .
Refer to pg 12 of the study guide for the above definition.
Also, see Figures 2,3,4,5 in Stewart 1.1. Also MRC/MIC:
Study unit 3.
Example

Determine the domain and the range of each of the following

functions
(a) f (x) = |x|,
(b) f (x) = x1 ,
x+6
(c) f (x) = (x−1)(x+2) .
See pg 12 of the study guide.
For workings/detailed solutions, refer to my rough workings.
New functions from old functions
New functions from old functions
New functions from old functions
New functions from old functions
Definition 6: The function f is an even function if f (−x) = f (x)

for all x ∈ Df .

Definition 7: The function f is an odd function if

f (−x) = −f (x) for all x ∈ Df .

Let f and g be two functions, thus
(a) the sum f + g as (f + g )(x) =f (x)+g (x) where
Df +g = Df ∩ Dg ,
(b) the difference f − g as (f − g )(x) =f (x)-g (x) where
Df −g = Df ∩ Dg ,
(c) the product f .g as (f .g )(x) =f (x)g (x) where
Df .g = Df ∩ Dg ,
(d) the quotient f /g as (f /g )(x) = gf (x)
(x) where Df /g = Df ∩ Dg
for g (x) ̸= 0,
(e) the composite f ◦ g as (f ◦ g )(x) =f (g (x)) where
Df ◦g = {x ∈ R : x ∈ Dg and g (x) ∈ Df }.
Example

Given f (x) = x, g (x) = x 3 − 1, h(x) = cos x

Determine
(a) f ◦ g ,
(b) h ◦ g ,
(c) f ◦ g ◦ h.
For workings/detailed solutions, refer to my rough workings.
Example

1 x+1
Given f (x) = x + x and g (x) = x+2

Determine f ◦ g , and the domain Df ◦g .

For workings/detailed solutions, refer to my rough workings.
Dankie vir julle aandag