1.
2 ALGEBRAIC
FUNCTIONS
MATH 14 AB
2nd Semester 2012 - 2013
Cartesian Plane
Cartesian Plane
Graph of a Relation
The graph of a relation f is the set of all
points (x, y) in the Cartesian plane such
that (x, y) is in f.
Graphs can be generated by plotting a
finite number of points and then
connecting them (depending on the
domain of f).
How do we recognize a
graph of a function?
VERTICAL LINE TEST
Given the graph of a relation, if any
vertical line constructed intersects (or
passes) the graph in at most one point,
then the relation described is a function.
Any vertical line must intersect the
graph of a function in at most one point.
Graphs of Functions
Graphs of Non-Functions
Algebraic Functions
Two main types of functions:
• Algebraic functions – functions that can be
obtained by a finite combination of
constants and variables together with the
four basic operations.
• Transcendental functions – non-algebraic
functions.
Examples: exponential, logarithmic,
circular (trigonometric) functions
Polynomial Functions
Polynomial Functions are algebraic functions
that are of the form:
n 1
P( x) an x an 1 x
n
... a2 x a1 x a0 .
2
where: n is a non-negative integer ; and
an, an-1, … , a2, a1, a0 ∈ R
Note: Domain: Dp = R (set of real numbers)
Polynomial Functions
Types of Polynomial functions
depending on the degree:
Constant Function: n = 0
Linear Function: n = 1
Quadratic Function: n = 2
Cubic Function: n=3
CONSTANT FUNCTIONS
Form of a constant function:
y f x k
where k is a fixed real number.
Properties: D f R
R f y | y k k
CONSTANT FUNCTIONS
Example: f x 4
Df R
R f 4
CONSTANT FUNCTIONS
Example: g x 3
Df R
R f 3
LINEAR FUNCTIONS
A linear function is of the form:
y f x mx b
where m, b are real numbers and a ≠ 0.
Properties:
Domain : R Range : R
INTERCEPTS
y – intercept:
The point where the graph of the
function crosses the y – axis.
(The point where x = 0.)
x – intercept:
The point where the graph crosses the x
– axis.
(The point where y = 0.)
LINEAR FUNCTIONS
Example: h x 2 x 4
Dh = R
y – intercept: (0, 4)
x – intercept: (2, 0)
Rh = R
LINEAR FUNCTIONS
3x 5
Example: j x
2
Dj = R
Rj = R
2
y – intercept: 0, 5
x – intercept: 5 ,0
3
LINEAR FUNCTIONS
y f x mx b
Note:
if m > 0, the graph slants to the right.
if m < 0, the graph slants to the left.
m is the slope of the line.
b is the y – intercept.
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
A quadratic function is a function of the form:
y f x ax bx c
2
where a, b, c are real numbers and a ≠ 0.
Properties:
Domain: R
The graph is a parabola opening either
upward or downward.
Range: (depends on the value of a)
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
If a is positive:
vertex
If a is negative:
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
VERTEX – the lowest or highest point on the
parabola. If the equation of a quadratic
function is
f x ax bx c,
2
then the vertex V is given by:
b 4ac b 2 b b
V , V , f .
2a 4a 2a 2a
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
If a > 0, the graph is opening upward. Thus the
vertex is the lowest point on the parabola.
Hence the value of y has a minimum which is the
y – coordinate of the vertex.
4ac b 2
Therefore , range: y | y , if a 0.
4a
Likewise, if a < 0, the range is
4ac b
2
y | y , if a 0.
4a
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
Example: Find the domain, range and vertex of
g x 1 x .
2
Solution:
Domain: Dg = R
Note that a = – 1, b = 0 and c =1. So the vertex
is at: V 0, 1.
Since a = – 1 < 0, the graph opens downward.
Rg y | y 1 ,1.
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
Example: Find the domain, range and vertex of
h x x 4 x 5.
2
Solution:
Domain: Dg = R
Note that a = 1, b = 4 and c = – 5. So the vertex
is at: V 2,9 .
Since a = 1 > 0, the graph opens upward.
Rg y | y 9 9, .
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
Sketch the graphs of:
1.) g x 1 x 2
2.) h x x 4 x 5
2
3.) m x 2 x x 2
2
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS
Note that the graph of a quadratic
equation is symmetric with respect to
the line:
b
x .
2a
What have we done?
Learned how to plot points on the two-
dimensional Cartesian plane,
Determined whether a relation is a
function based on its graph (via the
Vertical Line Test),
Determined the domain and range of the
different polynomial functions, and
Sketched the graphs of the different
polynomial functions.
