Dr. Md.

Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

DOMAIN AND RANGE

OF FUNCTIONS
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

Function’s Domain & Range

Quadratic polynomial function:

Problem 01: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) = x 2 + 3x + 2 .
Solution:
Domain:
Given function is,
f ( x) = ( x 2 + 3x + 2 )  R if and if x  R .
That means x takes all real values from the real number set R and make sense.
Therefore the domain of this function is the real number set.
So, the domain of the given function is, D f = R .
Range:
Given function is,
f ( x) = x 2 + 3 x + 2
2 2
3 3 3
f ( x) = x + 2. x +   −   + 2
2

2 2 2
2 2
3 3 3
f ( x) = x + 2. x +   −   + 2
2

2 2 2
2 2
 3 3
f ( x) =  x +  −   + 2
 2 2
2
 3 9
f ( x) =  x +  − + 2
 2 4
2
 3 1
f ( x) =  x +  −
 2 4
It is seen that from the above equation the given function is an increasing function, so the lowest value of
x yields the lowest value of y or f(x).
1 3 3
Therefore, the lowest value of y is y = − when x − = 0  x =
4 2 2
1
Consequently, the range of the given function is R f = [− , ) .
4

H.W:
Find the domain and range of the following quadratic functions
1
1. f ( x) = x 2 + 5x + 6 Ans: D f = R and R f = [− , )
4
1
2. f ( x) = − x 2 + 5x − 6 Ans: D f = R and R f = (− , ]
4
3. x = 5 y2 + 2 y + 6 Ans: D f = R and R f = R
Attention: How can find the range of the polynomial function of degree more than two.
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

Piecewise function:

A piecewise-defined function (also called a piecewise function or a hybrid function) is

a function which is defined by multiple sub-functions, each sub-function applying to a certain interval of
the main function's domain (a sub-domain).
For example: The following function is the piecewise function
 f1 (x) , xa

y = f ( x) =  f 2 (x) , a  x b
 f (x) , xb
 3

0 , x  −1


Problem 02: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) =  1 − x 2 , − 1  x  1 .
x , x 1


Solution:
Domain:
Given function is,
0 , x  −1


f ( x) =  1 − x 2 , − 1  x  1
x , x 1



The domain of the function f ( x) is,

D f = (−, −1]  (−1,1)  (1, )
D f = ( −,  )
Df = R
For Range:

The value of the function f ( x) in the interval (−, −1] is {0} .

Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval (−1,1) is (0,1] .
Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval [1, ) is [1, ) .
Therefore, the range of the given function f ( x) is
R f = {0}  (0,1]  [1, )
R f = [0, )
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor


 x2 −1 , x  0

Problem 03: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) =  x , 0  x  1.
1
 , x 1
x
Solution:
Domain:
Given function is,

 x2 −1 , x  0

f ( x) =  x ,0  x 1
1
 , x 1
x

The domain of the function f ( x) is,

D f = (−,0)  [0,1]  (1, )
D f = ( −,  )
Df = R
For Range:

The value of the function f ( x) in the interval (−, 0) is (−1, ) .

Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval [0,1] is [0,1] .
Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval [1, ) is (1, 0) .
Therefore, the range of the given function f ( x) is
R f = (−1, )  [0,1]  [1,0)
R f = (−1, )
−2 x + 1 , x  0

Problem 04: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) =  1 , 0  x  1.
 2x −1 , x  1

Solution:
Domain:
Given function is,
−2 x + 1 , x  0

f ( x) =  1 ,0  x 1
 2x −1 , x  1


The domain of the function f ( x) is,

 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

D f = (−,0)  [0,1)  [1, )

D f = ( −,  )
Df = R

For Range:

The value of the function f ( x) in the interval (−, 0) is (1,  ) .

Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval [0,1] is {1} .
Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval [1, ) is [1, ) .
Therefore the range of the given function f ( x) is
R f = (1, )  {1}  [1, )
R f = [1, )

H.W:
Find the domain and range of the following quadratic functions

 x2 ,x 0

1. f ( x) =  x ,0  x 1
1
 , x 1
x

 x2 + 1 ,x0

2. f ( x) =  x ,0  x 1
1
 , x 1
x

 x2 ,0  x 1

3. f ( x) =  x ,1  x  2
 x2
 ,2  x  
2

Modulus/absolute function:

Problem 05: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) = x + x − 1 .

 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

Solution:
Domain:
Given absolute value function is,

y = f ( x) = x + x − 1 [ Say]

For breaking points x = 0 and x − 1 = 0  x = 1 .

0 1

There are two breaking points in this mathematical problem such as x = 0 & x = 1 and those points
divide real number line into three intervals like as ( − , 0 ) , [0,1) and [1, ) .Therefore we define this
absolute value function section-ally by three parts.
Now,

y = f ( x) = x + x − 1

( − x ) + ( − ( x − 1) ) ,x 0

y = f ( x) = ( + x ) + ( − ( x − 1) ) ,0  x 1

( + x ) + ( + ( x − 1) ) , x 1

− x − ( x − 1) ,x 0

y = f ( x) =  x − ( x − 1) ,0  x 1

 x + ( x − 1) , x 1

−2 x + 1 ,x 0

y = f ( x) =  1 ,0  x 1
 2x +1 , x 1


The domain of the function f ( x) is,

D f = (−,0)  [0,1)  [1, )
D f = ( −,  )
Df = R
For Range:

The value of the function f ( x) in the interval (−, 0) is (1,  ) .

Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval [0,1] is {1} .
Again
The value of the function f ( x) in the interval [1, ) is [1, ) .
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

Therefore, the range of the given function f ( x) is

R f = (1, )  {1}  [1, )
R f = [1, )

H.W:
Find domain and range of the following functions
1. f ( x) = x + 1 + x − 2
2. f ( x) = x + 2 + x − 2
3. f ( x) = x + x − 1 + x − 2

Rational Function:
2x +1
Problem 06: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) = .
x −5
Solution:
Domain:
Given Rational function is,
2x +1
f ( x) =  R iff x − 5  0
x −5
 x5

That means given function f ( x) produces real output for all real values of x accept x = 5 .

Therefore, the domain of the given function f ( x) is,

D f = R − 5

For Range:

2x +1
Suppose y = f ( x) =
x −5
2x +1
 y=
x −5
xy − 5 y = 2 x + 1
xy − 2 x = 5 y + 1
x ( y − 2) = 5 y + 1
5 y +1
x=  R if y − 2  0  y  2
y−2
It shows x produces real values for all values of y accept y = 2 .
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

Therefore, the domain of the given function f ( x) is,

R f = R − 2

x2 − 4
Problem 07: Find the domain and range of the function y = .
x−2
Solution: Given function is,
x2 − 4
y=
x−2
Here, y is undefined if
x−2 = 0
or , x = 2
So, y gives real values for all real values of x except x = 2 .
Therefore, the domain of the given function is
D f = R − 2 .
Again we have,
x2 − 4
y=
x−2
or , y =
( x + 2 )( x − 2 ) ; x  2
x−2
or , y = x + 2 ; x2
or , x = y − 2 ; x2
Here, x is defined for all real values of y except y = 4
Therefore, the range of the given function is
R f = R − 4 (Ans)
x 2 − 3x + 2
Problem 08: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) = .
x2 + x − 6
Solution:
Domain:
Given Rational function is,

x 2 − 3x + 2
f ( x) = 2  R iff x 2 + x − 6  0
x + x−6

 ( x2 + x − 6)  0

 ( x 2 + 3x − 2 x − 6 )  0

 x ( x + 3) − 2 ( x + 3)  0
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

 ( x + 3)( x − 2 )  0

 ( x + 3)  0 or ( x − 2)  0
 x  −3 or x2

That means given function f ( x) produces real output for all real values of x accept x = −3 and x = 2 .

Therefore, the domain of the given function f ( x) is,

D f = R − 2, −3

For Range:

x 2 − 3x + 2
Let y = f ( x) = 2
x + x−6

x 2 − 3x + 2
 y= 2
x + x−6

 y ( x 2 + x − 6 ) = x 2 − 3x + 2

 x2 y + xy − 6 y = x2 − 3x + 2

 x2 y − x 2 + xy + 3x − 6 y − 2 = 0

 x 2 ( y − 1) + x ( y + 3) − ( 6 y + 2 ) = 0

−( y + 3)  ( y + 3) 2 − 4.( y − 1).(−) ( 6 y + 2 )
 x=
2 ( y − 1)

−( y + 3)  ( y + 3) 2 + 4.( y − 1) ( 6 y + 2 )
x=  R if 2 ( y − 1)  0  y  1 .
2 ( y − 1)

It shows x produces real values for all values of y accept y = 1 .

Therefore, the domain of the given function f ( x) is,

R f = R − 1

H.W:
Find domain and range of the following functions
x2 − 4 x + 3
1. f ( x) =
x2 + 5x + 6
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

x2 − 4 x + 3
2. f ( x) =
x2 − 5x + 6
1 1
Problem 09: Find the domain of the function gof ( x) where f ( x) = and g( x) = .
x ( x + 2)(x − 3)
Solution:
Given that,

1 1
f ( x) = and g( x) =
x ( x + 2)(x − 3)
Now,
gof ( x) = g ( f ( x) )
1
gof ( x) = g  
 x
1
gof ( x) =
1  1 
 + 2  − 3 
x  x 
1
gof ( x) =
1 + 2 x 1 − 3x

x x
1
gof ( x) =
(1 + 2 x )(1 − 3x )
x2
x2
gof ( x) =
(1 + 2 x )(1 − 3x )
Domain:
Considered function is

x2
gof ( x) =  R if (1 + 2 x )(1 − 3x )  0
(1 + 2 x )(1 − 3x )
 (1 + 2 x )  0 or (1 − 3x )  0
1 1
 x− or x
2 3
From the above equation it is clear that given function produces real output for all real values of x accept
1 1
x = − and x = .
2 3
Therefore the domain of the given function is,
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

 1 1
D f = R − − , 
 2 3

Square root function:

Linear function under the square root sign:

Problem 10: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) = 2 x + 5 .
Solution:
Domain:
Given function is,
f ( x) = 2 x + 5  R , iff the following condition holds
2x + 5  0
2x  − 5
5
x  −
2
5
Therefore, the domain of the given function is D f = {x : x  − } .
2
5
D f = [− , )
2
Range:

Suppose y = f ( x) = 2 x + 5 , y  0
Here y2 = 2x + 5 [Squaring both sides]
2x + 5 = y 2

2x = y2 − 5
y2 − 5
x=  R for all y  R .
2
Now, the range of the given function is R f = {y : y  0}  {y : y  R}
R f = [0, )  (− , )
R f = [0, ) (Ans)
Note: The range, most of the positive square root function is R f = [0, ) .

Problem 11: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) = x 2 − 4 x + 3 .

Solution:
Domain:
Given function is,
f ( x) = x 2 − 4 x + 3  R , iff the following condition holds
x2 − 4 x + 3  0
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

x 2 − 3x − x + 3  0
x ( x − 3 ) − 1( x − 3 )  0
( x − 3)( x − 1)  0

1 3
There are two breaking point of the given function are x = 1 and x = 3 those divides the whole real
number line into three interval like as (−,1], (1,3]and (3, ) .
Examine the signs of two factors ( x − 3) and ( x − 1) to determine where it is valid to determine the
domain of the given function.

Intervals Sign of factor ( x − 3) Sign of factor Validity test

( x − 1)
−  x  1 or (−,1] - - Valid
1  x  3 or (1,3] - + Not Valid
3  x   or (3, ] + + Valid

Therefore, the domain of the given function is D f = {x : x  1}  {x : x  3}

D f = (−,1]  [2, )

Range:

Given function y = f ( x) = x 2 − 4 x + 3 is a positive square root function and clearly it is an increasing

function, so the minimum value of x yields the minimum value of the function.
Therefore, the minimum value of the function is = 12 − 4.1 + 3 = 32 − 4.3 + 3 = 0
Since f ( x) is an increasing function, so the range of the given function is
R f = {y : y  0}
= [0, ) (Ans)

2x + 3
Problem 12: Find the domain and range of the function f ( x) = .
x −5
Solution:
Domain:
Given function is,
2x + 3
f ( x) =  R , if and only if the following condition holds
x −5
2x + 3
0
x −5

-3/2 5
 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

3
There are two breaking point of the given function are x = − and x = 5 those divides the whole real
2
3 3
number line into three interval like as (−, − ], (− ,5]and (5, ) .
2 2
Examine the signs of two factors ( 2 x + 3) and ( x − 5 ) to determine where it is valid to determine the
range of the given function.

Intervals Sign of factor ( 2 x + 3) Sign of factor ( x − 5 ) Validity

test

3 3 - - Valid
−  x  − or (−, − ]
2 2
3 3 + - Not Valid
−  y  5 or (− ,5]
2 2
5  x   or (5, ) + + Valid

3
Therefore, the Domain of the given function is D f = {x : x  − }  {x : x  5} .
2
3
D f = (−, − ]  (5, ) .
2

Range:
Suppose that,
2x + 3
y = f ( x) = ,y0
x −5
2x + 3
y2 = ,y0 [Squaring both-sides]
x −5
xy 2 − 5 y 2 = 2 x + 3 , y  0
xy 2 − 2 x = 5 y 2 + 3 ,y0
x ( y2 − 2) = 5 y2 + 3 ,y0
5 y2 + 3
x= ,y0
y2 − 2
5 y2 + 3
x= ,y0
( )
2
y2 − 2
5 y2 + 3
x= ,y0
( y − 2 )( y + 2 )
The real variable x produces real output if y   2 and together with the condition y  0 .
So, the range of the given function is R f =  R −
  
2, − 2   [0, )

 Dr. Md. Al-Amin Khan (DMAAK), Assistant Professor

R f = [0, ) −  2 (Ans)

H.W:
Find the domain and range of the following functions
2x +1
1. f ( x) =
x −1
2x +1
2. f ( x) =
5 x + 15
x 2 − 7 x + 10
3. f ( x) =
x2 + 5x + 6
x +1
Problem 13: Find the domain of the function f ( x) = .
x −4
2

Solution:
Given function is,
x +1
f ( x) =  R , if and only if the following condition holds
x −4 2

x +1  0 and x 2 − 4  0
x  −1 and x 2  4
x  −1 and x   4
x  −1 and x   2
Therefore, the domain of the given function is D f = {x : x  −1}   x : x  2
D f = [−1, ) − 2
D f = [−1, 2)  (2, )