WTW 134

Lecture Unit 1.1

1 / 28
What is a function

2 / 28
3 / 28
Definition of a function
A function is a rule that takes certain numbers as inputs and assigns to each a definite
output number. The set of all input numbers is called the domain of the function and the
set of resulting output numbers is called the range of the function. The input is called the
independent variable and the output is called the dependent variable.

4 / 28
5 / 28
6 / 28
7 / 28
8 / 28
9 / 28
10 / 28
11 / 28
12 / 28
13 / 28
14 / 28
15 / 28
Definitions (Concavity)
1. A function f is concave up on an interval if all its tangent line lies below the graph on
the interval.
2. A function f is concave down on an interval if all its tangent line lies above the graph on
the interval.
3. A linear function is neither concave up or concave down.

16 / 28
17 / 28
18 / 28
4.1 f (x) = (6 − x)(2 + x)2

19 / 28
4.2 f (x) = 3x

20 / 28
4.3 f (x) = (0.3)x

21 / 28
22 / 28