DOMAIN OF

THE FUNCTION
• For the function y =f(x), we call the set from which we take values of
the independent variable x be the domain of the function. The set of
all possible values of y as x varies over the domain is called the
range of the function.
• Interval Set of Values
Finite Intervals – are intervals whose endpoints are two fixed numbers a
and b. There are four cases under this type of interval sets.
Case 1: The set values of the variable x consists of all real numbers that lie
between two fixed numbers a and b, where a and b are not included.
This set of values is called an open interval. In set notation, this is
denoted as {x|a<x<b}. In interval notation, this is denoted as (a,b), where the
parenthesis indicate that the endpoints are not included. On the number line,
the interval is darkened line segment with two small open circles at the
endpoints.
Case 2: The set of values of real numbers between a and b including
the endpoints.
This set of values is called a closed interval. In set notation, it is
denoted by {x|a≤x ≤b}. In Interval Notation, it is denoted by [a,b], where the
brackets indicate the inclusion of the endpoints. On the number line, the
inclusion of the endpoints is denoted by closed circles at these points.
Case 3: The set of values of x including the endpoint a but not the
endpoint b.
This set of values is called a half-open interval. In set notation, it
is denoted by {x|a≤x<b}. In Interval Notation, it is denoted by [a,b), where
the brackets indicate the inclusion of a but excluding b. On the number line, the
line segment has a closed circle at a and an open circle at b.
Case 4: The set of values of x including the endpoint b but excluding
endpoint a.
This set of values is called a half-open interval. In set notation, it
is denoted by {x|a<x≤b}. In Interval Notation, it is denoted by (a,b], where
the brackets indicate the inclusion of b but excluding a. On the number line, the
line segment has a closed circle at b and an open circle at a.
Infinite Intervals – are intervals whose sets of values are real numbers
which are unbounded in at least one direction. On the number line, infinite
intervals are denoted by one or two rays.

Case 1: The set of all real numbers.

This set includes all positive, negative numbers and zero. This is denoted
as {x|-∞<x<+ ∞} or in interval notation (-∞, +∞), where the symbol ∞
(infinity) does not stand for a specific number but indicates an infinite
number of values. On the number line, the ray extends to the left and right of
zero.
Case 2: The set of numbers greater than a
This is denoted as {x|x>a} or (a,+∞). The ray has an open circle at
endpoint a and extends to the right of a.

Case 3: The set of numbers greater than or equal to a

This is denoted as {x|x≥a} or [a, +∞). The ray has a closed circle at endpoint
a and extends to the right of a
Case 4: The set of numbers less than b
This is denoted as {x|x<b} or (-∞,b). The ray has an open circle at
endpoint b and extends to the left of b.

Case 5: The set of numbers less than or equal to b

This is denoted as {x|x≤}b or (-∞,b]. The ray has a closed circle at endpoint
b and extends to the left of b.