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DP IB Maths: AA HL Your notes

2.3 Functions Toolkit

Contents
2.3.1 Language of Functions
2.3.2 Composite & Inverse Functions
2.3.3 Symmetry of Functions
2.3.4 Graphing Functions

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2.3.1 Language of Functions

Your notes
Language of Functions
What is a mapping?
A mapping transforms one set of values (inputs) into another set of values (outputs)
Mappings can be:
One-to-one

Each input gets mapped to exactly one unique output

No two inputs are mapped to the same output
For example: A mapping that cubes the input
Many-to-one

Each input gets mapped to exactly one output

Multiple inputs can be mapped to the same output
For example: A mapping that squares the input
One-to-many

An input can be mapped to more than one output

No two inputs are mapped to the same output
For example: A mapping that gives the numbers which when squared equal the input
Many-to-many

An input can be mapped to more than one output

Multiple inputs can be mapped to the same output
For example: A mapping that gives the factors of the input

What is a function?

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A function is a mapping between two sets of numbers where each input gets mapped to exactly one
output

The output does not need to be unique Your notes

One-to-one and many-to-one mappings are functions
A mapping is a function if its graph passes the vertical line test
Any vertical line will intersect with the graph at most once

What notation is used for functions?

Functions are denoted using letters (such as f , v , g , etc)
A function is followed by a variable in a bracket
This shows the input for the function
The letter f is used most commonly for functions and will be used for the remainder of this revision
note
f (x ) represents an expression for the value of the function f when evaluated for the variable x
Function notation gets rid of the need for words which makes it universal
f = 5 when x = 2 can simply be written as f (2) = 5
What are the domain and range of a function?
The domain of a function is the set of values that are used as inputs
A domain should be stated with a function
If a domain is not stated then it is assumed the domain is all the real values which would work as
inputs for the function
Domains are expressed in terms of the input
x ≤2
The range of a function is the set of values that are given as outputs
The range depends on the domain
Ranges are expressed in terms of the output
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f (x ) ≥ 0
To graph a function we use the inputs as the x-coordinates and the outputs as the y-coordinates
Your notes
f (2) = 5 corresponds to the coordinates (2, 5)
Graphing the function can help you visualise the range
Common sets of numbers have special symbols:
ℝ represents all the real numbers that can be placed on a number line
x ∈ℝ means x is a real number
a
ℚ represents all the rational numbers where a and b are integers and b ≠ 0
b
ℤ represents all the integers (positive, negative and zero)
ℤ + represents positive integers
ℕ represents the natural numbers (0,1,2,3...)

What are piecewise functions?

Piecewise functions are de ned by di erent functions depending on which interval the input is in
⎪⎪ x + 1
⎧⎪
x ≤5
⎪⎪
E.g. f (x ) = ⎨⎪ 2x − 4 5 < x < 10
⎪⎪
⎪⎪ x 2 10 ≤ x ≤ 20
⎩
The region for the individual functions cannot overlap
To evaluate a piecewise function for a particular value x = k
Find which interval includes k
Substitute x = k into the corresponding function

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The function may or may not be continuous at the ends of the intervals
In the example above the function is
continuous at x = 5 as 5 + 1 = 2(5) − 4 Your notes
not continuous at x = 10 as 2(10) − 4 ≠ 102

Examiner Tip
Questions may refer to "the largest possible domain"
This would usually be unless , or has already been stated
There are usualy some exceptions
e.g. square roots; for a function involving
e.g. reciprocal functions; for a function with denominator

Worked example
For the function f (x ) = x 3 + 1, 2 ≤ x ≤ 10:
a) write down the value of f (7) .

b) nd the range of f (x ) .

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2.3.2 Composite & Inverse Functions

Your notes
Composite Functions
What is a composite function?
A composite function is where a function is applied to another function
A composite function can be denoted
( f ∘ g ) (x )
fg (x )
f (g (x ))
The order matters
( f ∘ g ) (x ) means:
First apply g to x to get g (x )
Then apply f to the previous output to get f (g (x ))
Always start with the function closest to the variable
( f ∘ g ) (x ) is not usually equal to (g ∘ f ) (x )
How do I nd the domain and range of a composite function?
The domain of f ∘ g is the set of values of x ...
which are a subset of the domain of g
which maps g to a value that is in the domain of f
The range of f ∘ g is the set of values of x ...
which are a subset of the range of f
found by applying f to the range of g
To nd the domain and range of f ∘ g
First nd the range of g
Restrict these values to the values that are within the domain of f

The domain is the set of values that produce the restricted range of g
The range is the set of values that are produced using the restricted range of g as the domain
for f
For example: let f (x ) = 2x + 1, − 5 ≤ x ≤ 5 and g (x ) = x , 1 ≤ x ≤ 49
The range of g is 1 ≤ g (x ) ≤ 7
Restricting this to t the domain of f results in 1 ≤ g (x ) ≤ 5

The domain of f ∘ g is therefore 1 ≤ x ≤ 25

These are the values of x which map to 1 ≤ g (x ) ≤ 5
The range of f ∘ g is therefore 3 ≤ ( f ∘ g ) (x ) ≤ 11
These are the values which f maps 1 ≤ g (x ) ≤ 5 to

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Examiner Tip
Your notes
Make sure you know what your GDC is capable of with regard to functions
You may be able to store individual functions and nd composite functions and their values for
particular inputs
You may be able to graph composite functions directly and so deduce their domain and range
from the graph
The link between the domains and ranges of a function and its inverse can act as a check for your
solution
is not the same as

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Worked example
Your notes
Given f (x ) = x + 4 and g (x ) = 3 + 2x :
a) Write down the value of (g ∘ f ) (12) .

b) Write down an expression for ( f ∘ g ) (x ) .

c) Write down an expression for (g ∘ g ) (x ) .

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Your notes

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Inverse Functions
What is an inverse function? Your notes
Only one-to-one functions have inverses
A function has an inverse if its graph passes the horizontal line test
Any horizontal line will intersect with the graph at most once
The identity function id maps each value to itself
id(x ) = x
If f ∘ g and g ∘ f have the same e ect as the identity function then f and g are inverses
Given a function f (x ) we denote the inverse function as f −1 (x )
An inverse function reverses the e ect of a function
f (2) = 5 means f −1 (5) = 2
Inverse functions are used to solve equations
The solution of f (x ) = 5 is x = f −1 (5)
A composite function made of f and f −1 has the same e ect as the identity function
( f ∘ f −1) (x ) = ( f −1 ∘ f ) (x ) = x

What are the connections between a function and its inverse function?
The domain of a function becomes the range of its inverse
The range of a function becomes the domain of its inverse
The graph of y = f −1 (x ) is a re ection of the graph y = f (x ) in the line y = x
Therefore solutions to f (x ) = x or f −1 (x ) = x will also be solutions to f (x ) = f −1 (x )
There could be other solutions to f (x ) = f −1 (x ) that don't lie on the line y = x

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Your notes

How do I nd the inverse of a function?

STEP 1: Swap the x and y in y = f (x )
If y = f −1 (x ) then x = f (y )
STEP 2: Rearrange x = f (y ) to make y the subject
Note this can be done in any order
Rearrange y = f (x ) to make x the subject
Swap x and y

Can many-to-one functions ever have inverses?

You can restrict the domain of a many-to-one function so that it has an inverse
Choose a subset of the domain where the function is one-to-one
The inverse will be determined by the restricted domain
Note that a many-to-one function can only have an inverse if its domain is restricted rst
For quadratics – use the vertex as the upper or lower bound for the restricted domain
For f (x ) = x 2 restrict the domain so 0 is either the maximum or minimum value
For example: x ≥ 0 or x ≤ 0

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For f (x ) = a (x − h ) 2 + k restrict the domain so h is either the maximum or minimum value

For example: x ≥ h or x ≤ h
Your notes
For trigonometric functions – use part of a cycle as the restricted domain
For f (x ) = sinx restrict the domain to half a cycle between a maximum and a minimum
π π
For example: − ≤x ≤
2 2
For f (x ) = cosx restrict the domain to half a cycle between maximum and a minimum
For example: 0 ≤ x ≤ π
For f (x ) = tanx restrict the domain to one cycle between two asymptotes
π π
For example: − <x <
2 2
How do I nd the inverse function after restricting the domain?
The range of the inverse is the same as the restricted domain of the original function
The inverse function is determined by the restricted domain
Restricting the domain di erently will change the inverse function
Use the range of the inverse to help nd the inverse function
Restricting the domain of f (x ) = x 2 to x ≥ 0 means the range of the inverse is f −1 (x ) ≥ 0
Therefore f −1 (x ) = x
Restricting the domain of f (x ) = x 2 to x ≤ 0 means the range of the inverse is f −1 (x ) ≤ 0
Therefore f −1 (x ) = − x

Examiner Tip
Remember that an inverse function is a re ection of the original function in the line
Use your GDC to plot the function and its inverse on the same graph to visually check this

is not the same as

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Worked example
Your notes
The function f (x ) = (x − 2) 2 + 5, x ≤ m has an inverse.
a) Write down the largest possible value of m .

b) Find the inverse of f (x ) .

c) Find the domain of f −1 (x ) .

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Your notes

d) Find the value of k such that f (k ) = 9 .

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2.3.3 Symmetry of Functions

Your notes
Odd & Even Functions
What are odd functions?
A function f (x ) is called odd if
f ( − x ) = − f (x ) for all values of x
Examples of odd functions include:
Power functions with odd powers: x 2 n + 1 where n ∈ ℤ
For example: (−x ) 3 = − x 3
Some trig functions: sinx , cosecx , tanx , cotx
For example: sin( − x ) = − sinx
Linear combinations of odd functions

6
For example: f (x ) = 3x 5 − 4sinx +
x
What are even functions?
A function f (x ) is called even if
f ( − x ) = f (x ) for all values of x
Examples of even functions include:
Power functions with even powers: x 2 n where n ∈ ℤ
For example: (−x ) 4 = x 4
Some trig functions: cosx , secx
For example: cos( − x ) = cosx
Modulus function: |x |

Linear combinations of even functions

For example: f (x ) = 7x 6 + 3 x  − 8cosx

 

What are the symmetries of graphs of odd & even functions?

The graph of an odd function has rotational symmetry
The graph is unchanged by a 180° rotation about the origin
The graph of an even function has re ective symmetry
The graph is unchanged by a re ection in the y-axis

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Your notes

Examiner Tip
Turn your GDC upside down for a quick visual check for an odd function!
Ignoring axes, etc, if the graph looks exactly the same both ways, it's odd

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Worked example
Your notes
a) The graph y = f (x ) is shown below. State, with a reason, whether the function f is odd, even
or neither.

b) Use algebra to show that g (x ) = x 3sin(x ) + 5cos(x 5) is an even function.

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Periodic Functions
What are periodic functions? Your notes
A function f (x ) is called periodic, with period k, if
f (x + k ) = f (x ) for all values of x
Examples of periodic functions include:
sin x & cos x: The period is 2π or 360°
tan x: The period is π or 180°
Linear combinations of periodic functions with the same period

For example: f (x ) = 2sin(3x ) − 5cos(3x + 2)

What are the symmetries of graphs of periodic functions?
The graph of a periodic function has translational symmetry
⎛⎜ k ⎞⎟
The graph is unchanged by translations that are integer multiples of ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝0 ⎠
The means that the graph appears to repeat the same section (cycle) in nitely

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Examiner Tip
Your notes
There may be several intersections between the graph of a periodic function and another function
i.e. Equations may have several solutions so only answers within a certain range of -values
may be required
e.g. Solve for

Alternatively you may have to write all solutions in a general form

e.g.

Worked example
The graph y = f (x ) is shown below. Given that f is periodic, write down the period.

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Self-Inverse Functions
What are self-inverse functions? Your notes
A function f (x ) is called self-inverse if
( f ∘ f ) (x ) = x for all values of x
f −1 (x ) = f (x )
Examples of self-inverse functions include:
Identity function: f (x ) = x

1
: f (x ) =
x
Reciprocal function

Linear functions with a gradient of -1: f (x ) = − x + c

What are the symmetries of graphs of self-inverse functions?
The graph of a self-inverse function has re ective symmetry
The graph is unchanged by a re ection in the line y = x

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Examiner Tip
Your notes
If your expression for is not the same as the expression for you can check their
equivalence by plotting both on your GDC
If equivalent the graphs will sit on top of one another and appear as one
This will indicate if you have made an error in your algebra, before trying to simplify/rewrite to
make the two expressions identical
It is sometimes easier to consider self inverse functions geometrically rather than algebraically

Worked example
7x − 5
Use algebra to show the function de ned by f (x ) = , x ≠ 7 is self-inverse.
x −7

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2.3.4 Graphing Functions

Your notes
Graphing Functions
How do I graph the function y = f(x)?
A point ( a , b ) lies on the graph y = f (x ) if f ( a ) = b
The horizontal axis is used for the domain
The vertical axis is used for the range
You will be able to graph some functions by hand
For some functions you will need to use your GDC
You might be asked to graph the sum or di erence of two functions
Use your GDC to graph y = f (x ) + g (x ) or y = f (x ) − g (x )
Just type the functions into the graphing mode
What is the di erence between “draw” and “sketch”?
If asked to sketch you should:
Show the general shape
Label any key points such as the intersections with the axes
Label the axes
If asked to draw you should:
Use a pencil and ruler
Draw to scale
Plot any points accurately
Join points with a straight line or smooth curve
Label any key points such as the intersections with the axes
Label the axes
How can my GDC help me sketch/draw a graph?
You use your GDC to plot the graph
Check the scales on the graph to make sure you see the full shape
Use your GDC to nd any key points
Use your GDC to check speci c points to help you plot the graph

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Key Features of Graphs

What are the key features of graphs? Your notes
You should be familiar with the following key features and know how to use your GDC to nd them
Local minimums/maximums
These are points where the graph has a minimum/maximum for a small region
They are also called turning points
This is where the graph changes its direction between upwards and downwards directions
A graph can have multiple local minimums/maximums
A local minimum/maximum is not necessarily the minimum/maximum of the whole graph
This would be called the global minimum/maximum
For quadratic graphs the minimum/maximum is called the vertex
Intercepts
y – intercepts are where the graph crosses the y-axis
At these points x = 0
x – intercepts are where the graph crosses the x-axis
At these points y = 0
These points are also called the zeros of the function or roots of the equation
Symmetry
Some graphs have lines of symmetry
A quadratic will have a vertical line of symmetry
Asymptotes
These are lines which the graph will get closer to but not cross
These can be horizontal or vertical
Exponential graphs have horizontal asymptotes
Graphs of variables which vary inversely can have vertical and horizontal asymptotes

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Your notes

Examiner Tip
Most GDC makes/models will not plot/show asymptotes just from inputting a function
Add the asymptotes as additional graphs for your GDC to plot
You can then check the equations of your asymptotes visually
You may have to zoom in or change the viewing window options to con rm an asymptote
Even if using your GDC to plot graphs and solve problems sketching them as part of your working
is good exam technique
Label the key features of the graph and anything else relevant to the question on your sketch

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Worked example
Your notes
Two functions are de ned by

1
f (x ) = x 2 − 4x − 5 and g (x ) = 2 + .
x +1
a) Draw the graph y = f (x ) .

b) Sketch the graph y = g (x ) .

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Your notes

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Intersecting Graphs
How do I nd where two graphs intersect? Your notes
Plot both graphs on your GDC
Use the intersect function to nd the intersections
Check if there is more than one point of intersection

How can I use graphs to solve equations?

One method to solve equations is to use graphs
To solve f (x ) = a
Plot the two graphs y = f (x ) and y = a on your GDC
Find the points of intersections
The x-coordinates are the solutions of the equation
To solve f (x ) = g (x )

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Plot the two graphs y = f (x ) and y = g (x ) on your GDC

Find the points of intersections
The x-coordinates are the solutions of the equation Your notes
Using graphs makes it easier to see how many solutions an equation will have

Examiner Tip
You can use graphs to solve equations
Questions will not necessarily ask for a drawing/sketch or make reference to graphs
Use your GDC to plot the equations and nd the intersections between the graphs

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Worked example
Your notes
Two functions are de ned by

4
f (x ) = x 3 − x and g (x ) = .
x
a) Sketch the graph y = f (x ) .

b) Write down the number of real solutions to the equation x 3 − x = 2 .

c) Find the coordinates of the points where y = f (x ) and y = g (x ) intersect.

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Your notes

d) 4
Write down the solutions to the equation x 3 − x = .
x

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