Functions,

Function Notations,
and Equations
 What is a function?

 How will you represent functions?

 How will you determine whether a given equation is a

function?
Observe the following algebraic expressions:

Which among these expressions do you think are equivalent?

To help you answer this, go to www.desmos.com/calculator,

and then input each given algebraic expression.

The online calculator will give you a graph of each of these

expressions evaluated at real number values.
● Based on the graphs, which among the given algebraic
expressions are equivalent?

● Why do you think and would not produce the same

answers when evaluated at real values of ?
 Function
1 It is a special kind of relation in which no two distinct ordered pairs have the same
first element.

In an equation in two variables, and , the variable may be

expressed as if every value of corresponds to a single value
of .
 Independent and Dependent Variables
2 The value that a function takes in is called the input or the independent variable
while the corresponding value that it produces is the output or the dependent
variable.

Example:
Assume that you are in a grocery store. Each grocery item has
its own corresponding price.

This is an example of a function wherein the independent

variable is the grocery item while the dependent variable is
its price.
 3 Ways of Writing Functions

Example: There are different ways of writing .

Function Notation Description

is written as a function of , or
The arrow is read as “is mapped to.”
The colon symbol () is read as “such that.”
The function is written as a set.
 Piecewise Function
4 It is a function composed of two or more expressions for the different parts of the
domain.

Example:
Example 1: Consider an electric fan as a function machine.
What you do you think is the input, the function,
and the output?
Example 1: Consider an electric fan as a function machine.
What you do you think is the input, the function,
and the output?
Answer:
Pressing any button on the electric fan (assuming it is
plugged into a power source) will cause the fan blade to spin.

Hence, the buttons are the input, the spinning of the fan
blade is the function, and the wind it gives off is the output.
Example 2: Consider the table of values below. Determine
the input, the function, and the output.
Example 2: Consider the table of values below. Determine
the input, the function, and the output.

Solution:

The -values are the input. The -values are the output.

Notice that if the value of is , the value of is . If is , is , and

so on.
Example 2: Consider the table of values below. Determine
the input, the function, and the output.

Solution:

By observing the pattern, note that each input is doubled

after “going through” the function.

Hence, the function is .

Individual Practice:

1. Consider a water dispenser as a function machine. What is

the input, the function, and the output?

2. Consider the table of values below. Determine the input,

the function, and the output.
Group Practice: To be done by 2-5 groups
In a university, Mathematics Raw Grade
Equivalent
grades are being converted in a Grade
0.0 to 4.0 scale, with 4.0 being the
highest and 0.0 being the lowest.
The conversion is given in the
table. Write a function describing
the conversion. Use 𝐸(𝑥) to
represent the equivalent grade as
a function of the raw grade 𝑥.
 Function
1 It is a special kind of relation in which no two distinct ordered pairs have the same
first element.

Independent and Dependent Variables

2 The value that a function takes in is called the input or the independent variable
while the corresponding value that it produces is the output or the dependent
variable.
3 Ways of Writing Functions
Function Notation
Description
is written as a function of , or
The arrow is read as “is mapped to.”
The colon symbol () is read as “such that.”
The function is written as a set.

Piecewise Function
4 It is a function composed of two or more expressions for the different parts of the
domain.