Functions

Objectives

- Know what the Domain and Range of function are.

- Know what Implicit functions is.
- Know how to graph the function.
- Know what the Symmetry of Function is.
- Know what the Transformation of Function is.
1
 Domain and Range
- To specify a function f you must:
a) give a rule which tells you how to compute the
value f(x) of the function for a given real number x.
b) say for which real numbers x the rule may be
applied.
- The set of numbers for which a function is defined
is called domain of the function.
- The set of all possible numbers f(x) as x runs over
the domain is called the range of the function.
2
Example: Find the domain and range of 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟏 𝒙𝟐

Solution:

- The expression 𝟏 can be computed for all real numbers x except x = 0 since
𝒙𝟐

this leads to division by zero. Hence the domain of the function f(x) = 𝟏 𝒙𝟐
is:

“all real numbers except 0” = {x | x ≠ 0}= (- ∞,0) U (0,∞)

- If 𝐲 = 𝟏 𝒙𝟐
then we must have 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒚, so first of all, since we have to divide by y,
y can't be zero. Furthermore, 𝟏 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 says that y must be positive. On the other
hand, if y > 0 then 𝐲 = 𝟏 𝒙𝟐
has a solution (in fact two solutions), namely 𝒙 = ∓ 𝟏 𝒚

This shows that the range of f is:

“all positive real numbers” = {x | x > 0}= (0,∞)

3
 For instance, one can define a function f by putting f(x) = 𝒙 for all x
≥ 0. Here the rule defining f is take the square root of whatever
number you're given, and the function f will accept all nonnegative
real numbers.
 The rule which species a function can come in many different
forms. Most often it is a formula, as in the square root example of
the previous paragraph. Sometimes you need a few formulas, as in
𝟐𝒙 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 ≥ 𝟎
𝒈(𝒙) = domain of g = all real numbers.
𝒙𝟐 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 < 𝟎
 Functions which are defined by different formulas on different
intervals are sometimes called piecewise defined functions.

4
 Implicit functions
 Implicit functions: For many functions the rule which tells you how to compute
it is not an explicit formula, but instead an equation which you still must solve. A
function which is defined in this way is called an “implicit function”.

 Example: One can dene a function f by saying that for each x the value of f(x) is the
solution y of the equation
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟑 = 𝟎
In this example you can solve the equation for y,
𝟑 − 𝒙𝟐
𝒚=
𝟐
Thus we see that the function we have defined is:
𝟑 − 𝒙𝟐
𝒇(𝒙) =
𝟐
Here we have two definitions of the same function, namely:
i. y = f(x) is defined by 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒚 − 𝟑 = 𝟎.
𝟑−𝒙𝟐
ii. y = f(x) is defined by 𝒇(𝒙) = .
𝟐
 The first definition is the implicit definition, the second is explicit. You see that with an
\implicit function"
 it isn't the function itself, but rather the way it was defined that's implicit.

5
Type of functions:
1) Linear functions: 𝒚 = 𝒎𝒙 + 𝒃
2) Power functions: 𝒚 = 𝒙𝒂
3) Polynomial Functions: 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒏 𝒙𝒏 + 𝒂𝒏−𝟏 𝒙𝒏−𝟏 + ⋯ + 𝒂𝟏 𝒙 + 𝒂𝒐
4) Trigonometric functions: sin, cos, tan, sec, csc & cot.
5) Exponential functions: 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙
6) Logarithmic functions: 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒂 𝒙

𝒈(𝒙)
7) Rational functions: it is the ratio of two polynomial, 𝒇 𝒙 =
𝒒(𝒙)

6
 Symmetry of Functions
 Even and odd functions:
- If f(-x)= f(x) then, the function is even. It is symmetry about the y-
axis.

- If f(-x)= -f(x) then, the function is odd. It is symmetry about the

origin.
Example: check the symmetry of function:
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒙
Solution:
𝒇 −𝒙 = −𝒙
𝒇 −𝒙 ≠ 𝒇(𝒙)
𝒇 −𝒙 = −𝒇 𝒙
So the function is odd, it has symmetry about the origin.
7
 A function is even if 𝒇(−𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒙) for
every number x in the domain.

If you plug a –x into the function and you get the

original function back again, the function is even.

Given 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 10

𝑓 −𝒙 = 3 −𝒙 2 − 10
= 3𝑥 2 − 10
Same!

Even Function
8
 A function is even if 𝒇(−𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒙) for
every number x in the domain.

If you plug a –x into the function and you get the

original function back again, the function is even.

f x   5 x  2 x  1
4 2
YES
f  x  5( x)  2( x)  1  5x  2x  1
4 2 4 2

f x   2 x  x Is this function even?

3
NO
f  x   2( x)  ( x)  2 x  x
3 3

9
 A function is odd if 𝒇(−𝒙) = −𝒇(𝒙) for
every number x in the domain.

If you plug a –x into the function and you get the negative of
the function back (all terms change signs), the function is odd.

Given 𝑓 𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 − 5𝑥

𝑓 −𝒙 = 4 −𝒙 3 − 5(−𝒙)
= −4𝑥 3 + 5𝑥
ALL signs of the
terms changed!
Odd Function 10
 A function is odd if 𝒇(−𝒙) = −𝒇(𝒙) for
every number x in the domain.

If you plug a –x into the function and you get the negative of
the function back (all terms change signs), the function is odd.

f x   5 x  2 x  1
4 2 Is this function odd?
NO
f  x  5( x)  2( x)  1  5x  2x  1
4 2 4 2

f x   2 x  x Is this function odd? YES

3

f  x   2( x)  ( x)  2 x  x
3 3
11
Odd, Even, or Neither?
𝑓 𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 7

3 2
𝑓 −𝒙 = 4 −𝒙 + −𝒙 −7
= −4𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 7

Neither Odd or Even

12
Even functions have y-axis Symmetry

For an even function: for every point (x, y) on the

graph, the point (-x, y) is also on the graph.
13
Odd functions have origin Symmetry

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7

For an odd function: for every point (x, y) on the

graph, the point (-x, -y) is also on the graph.
14
 Transformation of Function

We will be looking at simple functions and seeing

how various modifications to the functions
transform them.

15
 f x   1  x 2  1

VERTICAL TRANSLATIONS
f x   x
yy

2

As you can see,
a number


f x   3  x 2  3
added or

subtracted from













 

x
x

a function will

 cause a vertical


shift or

translation in



the function.


Above is the graph of f x   x 2

What would f(x) +- 31 look

look like?
like? (This
(This would
would mean
mean taking
taking all
all
the function values and adding
subtracting 3 from them).
1 to them).
16
 f x   2  x  2
So the graph

VERTICAL TRANSLATIONS
f x   x
yyy
 f(x) + k, where k
 is any real
f x   4  x  4  number is the
 graph of f(x)


 




 
      
xxx

but vertically

 shifted by k. If

 k is positive it

 will shift up. If

 k is negative it
will shift down

Above is the graph of f x   x

What would f(x) + 2 look like?
What would f(x) - 4 look like?
17
 HORIZONTAL TRANSLATIONS
f  x  2   x  2 f x   x
2 yy
y 2



  As you can see,

  a number
 
added or
subtracted from x xx

 

 
 

        

f x  1  x  1
2 the x will cause

a horizontal


shift or


translation in

 the function but
opposite way of
Above is the graph of f x  x
2

the sign of the
number.
What would f(x+2) looklike?
f(x-1) look like? (This
(Thiswould
would mean
meantaking
takingallallthe
the xx
values and adding 2 to 1them
subtracting frombefore putting putting
them before them inthem
the function).
in the
function). 18
HORIZONTAL TRANSLATIONS
f x   x 3
f x  1  x  1
y
y
3

y
So the graph



f(x-h), where h is



any real number is



the graph of f(x)











 






 xx 
 
x
but horizontally


 shifted by h.



shift right 3 Notice the


 negative.
f x  3  x  3 (If you set the stuff in
3




parenthesis = 0 & solve

it will tell you how to shift

f x   x
along x axis).
3
Above is the graph of
What would f(x+1) look like?
x 3  0 x3
So shift along the x-axis by 3
What would f(x-3) look like?
19
 Summary of Transformations So Far
**Do reflections and dilations BEFORE vertical and horizontal translations**
If a > 1, then vertical dilation or stretch by a factor of a

If 0 < a < 1, then vertical dilation or compression by a factor of a

If a < 0, then reflection about the x-axis

(as well as being dilated by a factor of a)
vertical translation of k

a f x  h   k
f(-x) reflection
about y-axis

horizontal translation of h
(opposite sign of number with the x)
20
ASYMPTOTES

Horizontal
Vertical
Slant

21
 Definition of an asymptote
 An asymptote is a straight line which acts as a
boundary for the graph of a function.
 When a function has an asymptote (and not all
functions have them) the function gets closer and
closer to the asymptote as the input value to the
function approaches either a specific value a or
positive or negative infinity.
 The functions most likely to have asymptotes are
rational functions

22
 Vertical Asymptotes
Vertical asymptotes occur when the
following condition is met:

The denominator of the simplified

rational function is equal to 0.
Remember, the simplified rational
function has cancelled any factors
common to both the numerator and
denominator.

23
Finding Vertical Asymptotes
Example 1
2  5x
Given the function f x  
2  2x
The first step is to
cancel any factors
common to both
numerator and
denominator. In this 2  2x  0
case there are none. 21  x   0
The second step is to
see where the
1 x  0
denominator of the x  1
simplified function
equals 0.
24
 Finding Vertical Asymptotes
Example 1 Con’t.
The vertical line x = -1 is the only vertical
asymptote for the function. As the input value
x to this function gets closer and closer to -1
the function itself looks and acts more and
more like the vertical line
x = -1.

25
Graph of Example 1
The vertical
dotted line at
x = –1 is the
vertical
asymptote.

26
 Finding Vertical Asymptotes
Example 2
2 x 2  10x  12
If f x  
x 9
2

2 x  10x  12 x  32 x  4
First simplify the 2
function. Factor 
both numerator x 9
2
x  3x  3
and denominator
2x  4
and cancel any 
common factors. x 3

27
 Finding Vertical Asymptotes
Example 2 Con’t.
The asymptote(s) occur where the
simplified denominator equals 0. x  3  0
The vertical line x =3 is the only x3
vertical asymptote for this function.
As the input value x to this function
gets closer and closer to 3 the
function itself looks more and more
like the vertical line x =3.

28
Graph of Example 2
The vertical
dotted line at
x = 3 is the
vertical
asymptote

29
 Finding Vertical Asymptotes
Example 3
x 5
If g x   2
x  x6
Factor both the
x 5 x 5
numerator and 
denominator and x 2
 x6 x  2x  3
cancel
any common factors.
In this case there are
no
common factors to
cancel.
30
 Finding Vertical Asymptotes
Example 3 Con’t.
The denominator equals zero whenever
either
x20
x  2

or x3  0
x3
This function has two vertical
asymptotes, one at x = -2 and the other
at x = 3
31
Graph of Example 3
The two vertical
dotted lines at
x = -2 and x = 3 are
the vertical
asymptotes

32
 Horizontal Asymptotes
Horizontal asymptotes occur when either one of the
following conditions is met (you should notice
that both conditions cannot be true for the same
function).
The degree of the numerator is less than the
degree of the denominator. In this case the
asymptote is the horizontal line y = 0.
The degree of the numerator is equal to the
degree of the denominator. In this case the
asymptote is the horizontal line y = a/b where a is
the leading coefficient in the numerator and b is
the leading coefficient in the denominator.

When the degree of the numerator is greater than

the degree of the denominator there is no
horizontal asymptote
33
Finding Horizontal Asymptotes
Example 4
x  3x  5
2
If f x   3
x  27

then there is a horizontal asymptote at the line

y=0 because the degree of the numerator (2) is
less than the degree of the denominator (3).
This means that as x gets larger and larger in
both the positive and negative directions (x → ∞
and x → -∞)
the function itself looks more and more like the
horizontal line y = 0

34
Graph of Example 4
The horizontal line
y = 0 is the
horizontal
asymptote.

35
Finding Horizontal Asymptotes
Example 5
6 x 2  3x  5
If g x   2
5x  7 x  9

then because the degree of the numerator

(2) is equal to the degree of the denominator
(2) there is a horizontal asymptote at the line
y=6/5. Note, 6 is the leading coefficient of
the numerator and 5 is the leading
coefficient of the denominator. As x→∞ and
as x→-∞ g(x) looks more and more like the
line y=6/5
36
Graph of Example 5
The horizontal
dotted line at
y = 6/5 is the
horizontal
asymptote.

37
Finding Horizontal Asymptotes
Example 6
 2 x3  5x  9
If f x  
x2 1

There are no horizontal asymptotes

because the degree of the numerator is
greater than the degree of the denominator.

38
Graph of Example 6

39
 Slant Asymptotes
 Slant asymptotes occur when the
degree of the numerator is exactly
one bigger than the degree of the
denominator. In this case a slanted
line (not horizontal and not vertical)
is the function’s asymptote.
 To find the equation of the
asymptote we need to use long
division – dividing the numerator
by the denominator.
40
 Finding a Slant Asymptote
Example 7
x3  2 x 2  5x  9
 If f x  
x2  x 1

 There will be a slant asymptote because the

degree of the numerator (3) is one bigger than
the degree of the denominator (2).
 Using long division, divide the numerator by
the denominator.

41
Finding a Slant Asymptote
Example 7 Con’t.
x3
x 2  x  1 x3  2 x 2  5x  9

 x3  x 2  x 
3x 2  4 x  9

 3x 2  3x  3 
7 x 12

42
 Finding a Slant Asymptote
Example 7 Con’t.
We can ignore the remainder7 x 12
The answer we are looking for is the x3
quotient y  x3
and the equation of the slant asymptote is

43
Graph of Example 7
The slanted
line
y = x + 3 is
the slant
asymptote

44
 Problems
Find the vertical asymptotes, horizontal asymptotes, slant
asymptotes for each of the following functions.

x 2  2 x  15 Vertical: x = -2
f  x  2 Horizontal : y = 1
x  7 x  10 Slant: none

Vertical: x=3
2 x2  5x  7
g  x 
Horizontal : none
x 3 Slant: y = 2x +11

45