Lesson No.
1: Functions and Operation of Functions
Mathematics for Engineers – To review and gain knowledge of the combined subjects such as: College
Algebra, Plane trigonometry, Geometry and Solid Mensuration as the basis of the basic foundation and its
application to the higher mathematics.
A. Functions – a relation from a set of inputs to a set of possible outputs where each input is related to
exactly one outputs. Think of an algebraic function as a machine, where real numbers go in,
mathematical operations occur, and other numbers come out.
a. Domain (x) – the numbers going into an algebraic function as the input.
b. Range (y) or f(x) – the numbers coming out of a function as the output
Illustration: Function as a Machine
Tables – one way of identifying an algebraic function is through the use of a table, which can
show us if there is one domain and one range.
Illustration:
Domain (x) Function: Equation Range (y)
Ordered Pairs (x, y) – The pairs of x values- and y-values.
f-function – The f(x) is just another way to write y.
B. Graph of Function – The graph of a function f is the set of all points in the plane of the form (x,
f(x)). We could also define the graph of f to be the graph of the equation y = f(x). So, the graph of a
function if a special case of the graph of an equation.
Graphs – we can also use graphs to identify functions by plotting ordered pairs onto a Cartesian
coordinate system.
Cartesian coordinate system – consists of two perpendicular lines, which meet at a common origin
0, where the x-values are on the horizontal line and the y-values are on the vertical line. Where the
ordered pairs meet is where the point is graphed.
Illustration: Cartesian coordinate system
C. Linear and Quadratic Functions
Linear Function – those whose graph is a straight line and has the following form, y = f (x) = ax + b.
Quadratic Function – is one of the form f (x) = ax2 + bx + c or ax2 + b, where a, b, and c are real
numbers with a not equal to zero. The graph of a quadratic function is a curve called a parabola.
Illustration: Straight Line Illustration: Parabola
Linear Function +y Quadratic Function +y
3 3
2 2
1 1
-x +x -x +x
-3 -2 -1-1 1 2 3 -3 -2 -1 -1 1 2 3
-2
-2
-3 -3
-y -y
D. Operations on Functions
A function is a relation that assigns to each input value exactly one output value. Like numbers
and polynomials we can add, subtract, multiply and divide functions. Below are the formulas for
combining functions.
Let f(x) and g(x) be two functions:
Addition Subtraction
We can add two functions as: We can subtract two functions as:
(f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x) (f – g)(x) = f(x) – g(x)
Example: Example:
Given: Given:
f(x) = 2x2 + 3x – 4 and g(x) = 2x + 3 f(x) = 2x2 + 3x – 4 and g(x) = 2x + 3
Substitute the formula, Substitute the formula,
(f + g)(x) = (2x 2 + 3x – 4) + (2x + 3) (f – g)(x) = (2x 2 + 3x – 4) – (2x + 3)
= 2x2 + 5x – 1 Answer = 2x2 + x – 7 Answer
Multiplication Division
(f•g)(x) = f(x)•g(x) (f/g)(x) = f(x)/g(x)
Example: Example:
Given: Given:
f(x) = 3x – 5 and g(x) = x f(x) = 3x2 + 4x – 3 and g(x) = x
Substitute the formula, Substitute the formula,
(f•g)(x) = (3x – 5)•(x) (f/g)(x) = (3x 2 + 4x – 3)/x
= 3x2 – 5x Answer = 3x + 4 – 3/x Answer
Graphs: (Linear and Quadratic Function)
Linear Function – those whose graph is a straight line and has the following form, y = f (x) = ax + b.
If we plot the points, we end up with a straight line, so the function, x + 2, is considered a linear function
and can be written in functional notation as f(x) = x + 2.
We can also turn our table into ordered pairs to show a function: (1, 3), (4, 6), (-2, 0) and (-3,-1) where
there is one x-value for every one y-value.
+y
7 (4, 6)
6 f (x) = x + 2
5
4
3
2 (1, 3)
(-2, 0) 1
+x
(-3, -1) -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5
-2
Quadratic Function – is one of the form f (x) = ax2 + bx + c or ax2 + b, where a, b, and c are real
numbers with a not equal to zero. The graph of a quadratic function is a curve called a parabola.
Example 1. (Quadratic Functions)
Let f(x) = y = x2 - 3.
The graph of f (x) in this example is the graph of y = x2 - 3.
x -2 -1 0 1 2
f (x) or y 1 -2 -3 -2 1
Each column of numbers in the table holds the coordinates of a point on the graph of f.
+y
4
3
2
(-2, 1) 1 (2, 1)
+x
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
-2 (1, -2)
(-1, -2) -3
(0, -3)
-4
