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Engineering Mathematics: Functions Domain & Range

The document discusses functions, domains, and ranges. It provides examples of common function types like linear, quadratic, trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions. It then defines the domain of a function as the set of input values where the function is defined. Several problems are worked through to find the domain of various functions by determining where the function is defined. The range of a function is then defined as the set of output values the function can take. Again, sample problems are provided to find the range of functions by considering the possible output values as the input varies over the domain.

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97 views5 pages

Engineering Mathematics: Functions Domain & Range

The document discusses functions, domains, and ranges. It provides examples of common function types like linear, quadratic, trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions. It then defines the domain of a function as the set of input values where the function is defined. Several problems are worked through to find the domain of various functions by determining where the function is defined. The range of a function is then defined as the set of output values the function can take. Again, sample problems are provided to find the range of functions by considering the possible output values as the input varies over the domain.

Uploaded by

Matimba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

EM105B :ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS


LECTURER: MR MUDAU
GROUP: POLY-TECH
NOTES: FUNCTIONS (DOMAIN AND RANGE)

Introduction

If, say y depends on , say, x then y is said to be a function of x and the


relationship is expressed as y  f(x) ; x is called the independent variable and y
is the dependent variable. In engineering and science, corresponds values are
obtained as a result of tests or experiments.

Here are some types of functions:


i. Straight line: y  mx  c
ii. Quadratic : y  ax 2  bx  c
iii. Cubic : y  ax 3  bx 2  cx  d
iv. Trigonometric
v. Circle: x 2  y 2  r 2
x 2 y2
vi. Hyperbola:  1
a 2 b2
vii. Logarithmic: y  log x
viii. Exponential: y  e x
ix. Polar: r  f  

Domain of a function

The domain of any given function is the set of input values for which the function is
defined.

Problem 1

i. f(x)  x 2 . Defined for all values of x i.e the domain is 


ii. f(x)  2 x . Defined for all values of x i.e the domain is 
iii. f(x)  x . Defined for x  0 i.e the domain is 0,  
Problem 2 :Find the domain of f(x)  4  3x - x 2
Solution:

We need 4  3x - x 2  0 and solving this inequality we see that this is only true for
- 1  x  4 or [-1,4]

1
Problem 3: Find the domain of f(x) 
x  3x 2  2 x
3

Solution:
Since x 3  3x 2  2 x  x(x - 1)(x - 2). we see that this function is defined for all
x , x  0, x  1, x  2

5x
Problem 4: Find the domain of f(x)  2
x  3x - 4
Solution:

x 3  3x - 4  0
x - 4x  1  0
x  4 or x  -1

Thus all real numbers expect -1 and 4. In interval notation this is written
- ,-1  1,4  4,  
2
Problem 5: Find the domain of f(x) 
x -1
Solution:
We must be very careful with this function since it involves both a rational and a
square root. The square root requires the radicand to be greater than or equal to
zero, that is x - 1  0 . However, since the square root is in the denominator and we
can not divide by zero, we cannot let x - 1  0 . Thus,
x -1  0
x 1

In interval notation this is written 1,  

Problem 6: Find the domain of f(x)  2x  3  1


Solution:
Since this function involves a square root we must make sure the radicand in
non-negative
2x  3  0
2 x  3
-3
x
2
3
Thus the domain is all real numbers greater than or equal to - . In the interval
2
 3 
notation this is written - ,  
 2 

Try this: For each of the following functions find its domain i.e the set of points
where each function is defined.

1. f(x)  x 2  5x - 7
2. f(x)  x 3  x
3. f(x)  3 x -1
4. f(x)  x - 1
1
5. f(x)  sin  
x
1
6. f(x) 
x-2
x -1
7. f(x)  2 5
x  2x  1
8. f(x)  x - 6  2
1
9. f(x)  2
x  3x - 10
1
10. f(x)  x
e 1
11. f(x)  x  1
12. f(x)  1 - cosx
2x 2  3
13. f(x) 

x2  9 x2  4 
14. f(x)  logx - 2 
 x 
15. f(x)  log 2 
 x 1
2x -3

16. f(x)  e x

x-2
17. f(x) 
x -5
x -5
18. f(x) 
x-2
2x 2  3
19. f(x)  2
x 1
20. f(x)  2x 5  6 x 3  8x 2  5
Range of a function

We have already discussed the domain of a function f(x) i.e, the values of x for
which f(x) is defined. Next we consider the values f(x) we get as x varies over
the domain. This is, not surprisingly, called the range of f(x).

Problem 1: Find the range of the following functions

i. f(x)  x . The range is 


ii. f(x)  x 2 . The range is all positive numbers as x 2  0 i.e 0, 
iii. f(x)  sinx . The range is given by  1,1 as - 1  sinx  1
iv. f(x)  x . The range is 0, 
v. f(x)  x 2  2 x  3 (Complete the square first) yields f(x)  x  1  2 . Hence
2

range is 2,  
1
vi. f(x)  . The range is all values expect 0 or   0
x

Problem 2: Find the range of f(x)  -x 2  6 x  5


Solution:
- x - 3  14
2

The range is - ,14

Problem 3: Find the range of f(x)  x  3  2


Solution:
x3  0
x  3  2  2

The range is - 2,  

1
Problem 4: Find the range of f(x) 
x-2
Solution:
y  , y  0

x
Problem 5: Find the range of f(x) 
x 1
Solution:
All real numbers
Try this: For each of the following functions find its range i.e the set of points where
each function is defined.

1. f(x)  5x  3
2. y  -7x - 4
3. y  2x 2  1
4. y  x  9
5. y  4 - x 2
6
6. y 
x2
1
7. y 
x-2
2
8. y 
2x - 5
1
9. y  x - 2 
x -5
1
10. y 
1
1-
x-2
1
11. f(x)  x
e 1
12. f(x)  logx - 2 
13. f(x)  1 - cosx
14. f(x)  x - 6  2
15. f(x)  3 x -1

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