Week 1: Functions, Continuity,

and Limits
Functions
 Vocabulary
A set of ordered pairs is also called a relation.
The domain is the set of x-coordinates (first
components) of the ordered pairs.
The range is the set of y-coordinates (second
components) of the ordered pairs.
 Example

Determine the domain and range of the relation

{(4,9), (–4,9), (2,3), (10, –5)}

Domain is the set of all the first coordinates of

the ordered pairs: {4, –4, 2, 10}

Range is the set of all the second coordinates of

the ordered pairs: {9, 3, –5}
 Example
Find the domain and range of the following relation.

Input (Animal) Output (Life Span)

Polar Bear 20
Cow
Chimpanzee 15
Giraffe
Gorilla 10
Kangaroo
Red Fox 7
 Example (cont)

Domain is {Polar Bear, Cow, Chimpanzee,

Giraffe, Gorilla, Kangaroo, Red Fox}

Range is {20, 15, 10, 7}

 Functions

Some relations are also functions.

A function is a relation in which each first component in the ordered

pairs corresponds to exactly one second component.
 Functions
Function: a relation in which, for each value of the first component
of the ordered pairs, there is exactly one value of the second
component.

• A function is a relation in which the members of

the domain (x-values) DO NOT repeat.
• So, for every x-value there is only one y-value that
corresponds to it.
• y-values CAN be repeated.
 Example
Is the relation{(4,9), (–4,9), (2,3), (10, –5)}, also a
function?

Since each element of the domain is paired with

only one element of the range, it is a function.

Note: It’s okay for a y-value to be assigned to

more than one x-value, but an x-value cannot be
assigned to more than one y-value (has to be
assigned to ONLY one y-value).
 Example
Is the relation y = x2 – 2x a function?

Since each element of the domain (the

x-values) would produce only one element
of the range (the y-values), it is a function.
 Example

Is the relation x2 – y2 = 9 a function?

Since each element of the domain (the

x-values) would correspond with 2
different values of the range (both a
positive and negative y-value), the
relation is NOT a function.
 Vertical Line Test
Graphs can be used to determine if a relation is a
function.

Vertical Line Test

If no vertical line can be drawn so that it intersects
a graph more than once, the graph is not the
graph of a function.

If a vertical line is passed over the graph and it

intersects the graph in exactly one point, the
graph represents a function.
 Example
y
Use the vertical line
test to determine
whether the graph to
the right is the graph
of a function.
x
Since no vertical line
will intersect this
graph more than
once, it is the graph
of a function.
 Example
y
Use the vertical line
test to determine
whether the graph to
the right is the graph
of a function.
x
Since no vertical line
will intersect this
graph more than
once, it is the graph
of a function.
 Example
y
Use the vertical line
test to determine
whether the graph to
the right is the graph
of a function.
Since vertical lines x
can be drawn that
intersect the graph
in two points, it is
NOT the graph of a
function.
 Vertical Line Test
Since the graph of a linear equation is a line, all
linear equations are functions, except those
whose graph is a vertical line

Note: An equation of the form y = c is a

horizontal line and IS a function.
An equation of the form x = c is a vertical line
and IS NOT a function.
Does the graph represent a function?
Name the domain and range.

Function: Yes
x D: All real numbers
R: All real numbers
y

Function: Yes
x D: All real numbers
R: y ≥ -6
y
Does the graph represent a function?
Name the domain and range.

Function: No
x
D: x ≥ 1
R: All real numbers
y

Function: No
x D: All real numbers
R: All real numbers
y
 Does the graph represent a function?

H = {(3, 4), (7, 2), (0, -1), (-2, 2), (-5, 0), (3, 5)}
No, 3 is repeated in the domain.

G = {(4, 1), (5, 2), (8, 2), (9, 8)}

Yes, no x-coordinate is repeated.
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 Do Now
Complete the chart for each linear equation.

y=x-2 y = 2x + 3
x y x y
4 2
-3 -2
0 0
2 1
-1 -1
 Relations
Relation: a set of ordered pairs.
{ ( -3, 2), (-1, 1 ), ( 0, 7), (2, 4), (4, 3)}
{( -2, 1), (-1, 2), ( 0, 3), (1, 4), (2, 5)}

Independent Variable ( x, y ) Dependent Variable

The value of y “depends” on the value of

x.
Domain: the set of all x-coordinates, independent variable
Range: the set of all y-coordinates, dependent variable
 Relations

Given the relation:

{(2, -6), (1, 4), (2, 4), (0,0), (1, -6), (3, 0)}
State the domain:
D: {0,1, 2, 3}
State the range:
R: {-6, 0, 4}
 Ways to Represent a Function

Symbolic • Graphical
x,y y  2x
or X Y
y  2x
1 2
• Numeric 5 10
-1 -2 • Verbal
The cost is twice the
3 6
original amount.
 Finding Domain & Range
Give the domain & range of each relation. Is it a
function?
Example 1
x y Example 2
1 1
-1 1
5 1
{(3, -6), (1, 3), (-2, 4),
3 1 (0,3), (1, -2), (3, 0)}
Finding Domain & Range
Give the domain & range of each relation. Is it a
function?
Finding Domain & Range
Give the domain & range of each relation. Is it a
function?

...
. x

y
 Example
y
Find the domain and
range of the function Domain
graphed to the right.
Use interval
notation.
x
Range
Domain is [–3, 4]
Range is [–4, 2]
 Example
y
Find the domain
and range of the
function graphed to
the right. Use Range
interval notation.
x

Domain is (– , )
Range is [– 2, ) Domain
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 Function Notation
When we know that a relation is a function, the
“y” in the equation can be replaced with f(x).
f(x) is simply a notation to designate a function.
It is pronounced ‘f ’ of ‘x’.
The ‘f ’ names the function, the ‘x’ tells the
variable that is being used.
The parenthesis DO NOT mean multiplication!
f(x) is another name for y.
Sometimes other letters such as g, h or capital
letters F, G and H are used to name functions.
 Using Function Notation
Find the value of each function.
1. If g(s) = 2s + 3, find g(-2).

2. If h(x) = x2 - x + 7, find h(2).

3. If f(x) = -x2 + 5x – 3 find f(q)

 Helpful Hint
Note that f(x) is a special symbol in mathematics used to denote a
function. The symbol f(x) is read “f of x.” It does not mean f • x (f
times x).
Finding the Value of a Function

Find each function value.

a. If f(x) = 4x – 1, find f(2).
f(2) = 4(2) – 1 = 7

b. If g(x) = x2 – 2x, find g(–3).

g(–3) = (–3)2 – 2(–3) = 9 – (–6) = 15
 Example
y
Given the graph of
the following function,
find each function
value by inspecting
the graph. f(x)
f(5) = 8
x
f(4) = 3
f(5) = 1
f(6) = 7
Continuity
 What makes a function continuous?

Continuous functions are predictable…

1) No breaks in the graph

A limit must exist at every x-value or the graph will break.

2) No holes or jumps
The function cannot have undefined points or vertical
asymptotes.
 Continuity
Key Point:
Continuous functions can be
drawn with a single, unbroken
pencil stroke.
 Continuity

Mathematically speaking…
If f (x) is continuous, then for every x = c in the function,
lim f ( x)  f (c)
x c
In other words, if you can evaluate any limit on the function using only
the substitution method, then the function is continuous.
Continuity of Polynomial and Rational Functions

A polynomial function is continuous at every real number.

A rational function is continuous at every real number in its domain.

 Polynomial Functions
3 2
f ( x)  x  x f ( x)  x  2 x  3

Both functions are continuous on (, ) .

 Rational Functions
1 x2  1
f ( x)  f ( x) 
x x 1

continuous on: continuous on:

(, 0)  (0, ) (, 1)  (1, )
 Rational Functions
1 1
f ( x)  2 f ( x)  2
x 1 x 1

continuous on: continuous on:

(, ) (,  1)  ( 1, 1)  (1, )
 Piecewise Functions
 x 2  4, x  2
f ( x)  
 x  2, x  2

22  4  4  4  0

2  2  0
continuous on
(, )
 Discontinuity
Discontinuity: a point at which a
function is not continuous
 Discontinuity

Two Types of Discontinuities

1) Removable (hole in the graph)
2) Non-removable (break or vertical asymptote)

A discontinuity is called removable if a function can be made

continuous by defining (or redefining) a point.
Two Types of Discontinuities
 Discontinuity
Find the intervals on which these function are
continuous.
x2 Point of discontinuity:
f ( x)  2
x  3x  10 x20 Removable
x2 x  2 discontinuity

( x  2)( x  5) Vertical Asymptote:
1 x5  0
 x5 Non-removable
( x  5) discontinuity
 Discontinuity

x2
f ( x)  2
x  3x  10

Continuous on: ( ,  2)  (2, 5)  (5, )

 Discontinuity

 2 x , x  2
f ( x)   2
 x  4 x  1, x  2

lim ( 2 x)  4
x 2

lim ( x 2  4 x  1) 3
x 2

f (2)  4 Continuous on:

(, 2]  (2, )
 Discontinuity
Determine the value(s) of x at which the function is discontinuous.
Describe the discontinuity as removable or non-removable.

x2 1 2
x  10 x  9
(A) f ( x)  2 (B) f ( x) 
x  5x  6 x 2  81

2 2
x  4x  5 x 4
(C) f ( x)  2
(D) f ( x)  2
x  25 x  2x  8
 Discontinuity

x2  1
(A) f ( x)  2
x  5x  6
( x  1)( x  1)

( x  6)( x  1)

x  1 Removable discontinuity
x6 Non-removable discontinuity
 Discontinuity
2
x  10 x  9
(B) f ( x)  2
x  81
( x  9)( x  1)

( x  9)( x  9)

x  9 Removable discontinuity
x9 Non-removable discontinuity
 Discontinuity
2
x  4x  5
(C) f ( x)  2
x  25
( x  5)( x  1)

( x  5)( x  5)

x5 Removable discontinuity

x  5 Non-removable discontinuity
 Discontinuity

x2  4
(D) f ( x)  2
x  2x  8
( x  2)( x  2)

( x  4)( x  2)
x  2 Removable discontinuity
x4 Non-removable discontinuity
 Conclusion

Continuous functions have no breaks, no holes, and no jumps.

If you can evaluate any limit on the function using only the
substitution method, then the function is continuous.
 Conclusion

A discontinuity is a point at which a function is not continuous.

Two types of discontinuities
Removable (hole in the graph)
Non-removable (break or vertical asymptote)
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