Pure 1 A level
FUNCTIONS
I. Definition of a function
1. The language of functions
A mapping is any rule associates two sets of items.
Domain is the set of possible inputs.
Range is the set of possible outputs.
One-to-one mapping Many-to-one mapping Many-to-many mapping One-to-many mapping
A function is a mapping where every element of the domain (x-values) is mapped onto exactly one element of
the range (y-values). It is a one-to-one mapping or many-to-one mapping.
The notation f ( x) represents a function of x.
The roots of a function are values of x for which f ( x) = 0
Example: The function f ( x) = 2 x + 1 or f : x 2 x + 1 for x
It is a one-to-one function. It is a many-to-one function.
It is not a function.
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Example: Graph of a map and a function
a) Consider the graph of b) Consider the graph of c) Consider the graph of
y = x+2 y = x2 y2 = x
x x + 2 for x is a one-one x x 2 for x is a many-
one mapping. It is a one-many mapping.
mapping. (Exist one input value has two
So, f ( x) = x + 2 is a one-one So, f ( x ) = x 2 is a a many-
output values). The relation is
function one function not a function
2. How to define domain of a function
a. Finding the domain, remember:
g (x )
The denominator (bottom) of a fraction cannot be zero. f (x) = h( x ) 0 x...
h( x )
The number under a square root sign must be greater or equal to zero.
f ( x ) = g ( x ) g ( x) 0 x...
From 2 rules, you can deduce
h( x ) 0
g ( x) g ( x)
1) f (x) = h( x ) 0 x... 2) f ( x ) = g ( x) x...
h( x ) h( x ) h( x ) 0
Example: Find the domain of y = x + 4
Condition: x + 4 0 x −4
Domain: x −4
x+2
Example: Find the domain of y =
x −9
2
x + 2 0 x −2 x −2
Condition: 2 2
x − 9 0 x 9 x 3
Domain: x −2 ; x 3
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Example: Find the greatest possible domain of f ( x ) = for x , f ( x) 5
( x − 2) 2
f ( x) 5
5
5
( x − 2) 2
5( x − 2) 2
5( x − 2) 2
( x − 2) 2
( x − 2) 2 1
( x − 2) 2 = 1
x − 2 = 1 or x − 2 = −1
x = 3 or x =1
So, domain: 1 x 3 , x 2
b. Finding the range.
The range of a function is the spread of possible y-values (minimum y-value to maximum y-value).
Step 1: Substitute x (in Domain) into y = f ( x ) . (Ask yourself: Is y always positive or negative? Is y
always greater or smaller a number? Or not equal to certain numbers?).
Step 2: Make sure you look for maximum and minimum values of y. (You can use differentiation to
find)
Note: Draw a sketch! (If you can.)
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y = g ( x) 0 y = ( g (x) ) 0 y = g ( x) 0
2n
Remember: y= 0
g (x)
−1 sin ( g ( x) ) 1 −1 cos ( g ( x) ) 1
From the above rule, you can deduce
1) y = g ( x ) c c 2) y = − g ( x) c c
3) y = a g ( x) c c ( a 0 ) 4) y = b g ( x) c c ( b 0 )
5) −a a sin ( g ( x) ) a 6) −a b a sin ( g ( x ) ) b a b
Case 1: Finding range without given domain
Example:
1. Find the range of y = x + 4 2. Find the range y = sin x 3
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Example: h( x) = 2 x 2 −12 x + 22
a) Express h( x) in the form a( x + b) 2 + c b) Find the range.
a) h( x) = 2 x 2 −12 x + 22 b) h( x ) = 2( x − 3) 2 + 4
= 2( x 2 − 6 x) + 22 Because: 2( x − 3) 2 0 for x
= 2[( x − 3) 2 − 9] + 22 2( x − 3) 2 + 4 0 + 4
= 2( x − 3) 2 −18 + 22 h ( x) 4
= 2( x − 3) 2 + 4 Range: h( x) 4
Exercises 1: (HW)
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Case 2: Finding range with given domain
Example: Finding the range of
a) f ( x) = x + 5 , x 5 b) g ( x ) = x 3 , −2 x 4
a) Given domain: x 5 b) Given domain: −2 x 4
x+55+5 −8 x3 64
f ( x) 10 −8 g ( x ) 64
Range: f ( x) 10 Range: −8 g ( x) 64
Example: Find the range of each of the following functions and state they are one-to-one or many-to-one.
a) f ( x) = 3x − 2 , domain {x = 1 , 2, 3, 4}
b) g ( x ) = x 2 , domain {x , −5 x 5}
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c) h( x) = , domain {x , 0 x 3}
x
Solution
Case 3: Finding domain and range
Example: Find range and domain
a) f ( x ) = x 2 + 2
b) h(t ) = 20t − 4.9t 2 with h(t ) 0
c) g (s ) = 3 − s
d) f ( x ) = x 2 + 4 for x 2
e) Function defined by the coordinates: {( −4;1), ( −2; 2.5), (2; −1), (3; 2)}
1
5
f) f (t ) =
t +2
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a) f ( x) = x 2 + 2 b) h(t ) 0
Domain: x 20t − 4.9t 2 0
Range: f ( x) 2 ( y = f ( x) = x 2 + 2 2 ) 20t − 4.9t 2 = 0
t = 0 or t = 4.08
Domain: 0 t 4.08
20t − 4.9t 2 = −4.9(t − 2.04) 2 + 20.4 20.4
Range: 0 h(t ) 20.4
c) g (s ) = 3 − s Condition: 3 − s 0 d) f ( x ) = x 2 + 4 for x 2
Domain: s 3 Domain: x 2 (given)
g (s) = 3 − s 0 (by definition) x2 + 4 22 + 4
Range: g ( s) 0 f ( x) 8
Range: f ( x) 8
e) Function defined by the coordinates: 1
{( −4;1), ( −2; 2.5), (2; −1), (3; 2)} f) f (t ) = Condition: t + 2 0
t+2
Domain: t −2 , t
Domain: x {−4; −2; 2; 3} t+20
Range: y {−1; 1; 2; 2.5} Range: f (t ) 0; f (t )
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Case 4: Finding domain and range of the piecewise defined function (The function defined by more than
one equation)
5 − 2 x, x 1
Example: The funtion f ( x ) = 2
x + 3, x 1
a) Sketch y = f ( x ) , and state the range of f ( x) .
b) Solve f ( x) = 19 .
Example:
4 − x, −2 x 1
a) Sketch the graph of f ( x ) =
2 x + 1, 1 x 3
b) Find the range. 7
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c. Determine the range and domain of
✓ Function f ( x ) = ax 2 n+1 + b ( n = 0,1, 2,3... )
• Case 1: Without given domain
Domain of f: x
Range of f: f ( x)
• Case 2: Given domain c x d
Domain of f: c x d
Range of f: f (c ) f ( x) f (d ) as a 0 [Increasing function]
f (d ) f ( x) f (c) as a 0 [Decreasing function]
Example: f ( x) = 5 − 2 x for x , −4 x 5
a) Write down the domain of the function f.
b) Sketch the graph of the function f.
c) Write down the range of the function f.
Solution
a) Domain: −4 x 5
b) The graph of y = 5 − 2 x is a straight line with
gradient -2 and y-intercept 5.
c) When x = −4 , y = 5 − 2(−4) = 13
When x = 5 , y = 5 − 2(5) = −5
Range: −5 f ( x) 13
✓ Function f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c
• Case 1: Without given domain
Write f ( x) in the form f ( x) = a( x − h) 2 + k
Domain of f: x
b
Range of f: f ( x) k or f ( x) f − as a 0
2a
b
f ( x) k or f ( x) f − as a 0
2a
• Case 2: Given domain d x e , base on the graph to determine.
Note:
b b
1. With domain: x h x − or x h x − , f ( x ) = ax + bx + c is one-one function,
2
2a 2a
−1
so it has f ( x ) .
2. To find f −1 ( x) , write f ( x) in the form f ( x) = a( x − h) 2 + k
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Example: f ( x) = ( x − 3) 2 + 8 for −1 x 9 . Sketch the graph of the function. Find the range of f.
Solution
f ( x) = ( x − 3) 2 + 8
a = 1 0 , graph has -shaped.
So, minimum point: (3, 8)
When x = −1 , y = (−1 − 3) 2 + 8 = 24
When x = 9 , y = (9 − 3) 2 + 8 = 44
Range: 8 f ( x) 44
ax + b b
✓ Function f ( x) = or f ( x) = ( a = 0)
cx + d cx + d
_ Find domain:
d
Because: denominator 0 , cx + d 0 Domain of f: x −
c
_ Find range without domain
a ad
(cx + d ) − +b
ax + b c c a e ad
f ( x) = = = + with e = − +b
cx + d cx + d c cx + d c
e a e a a
Because: 0 , f ( x) = + Range of f: f ( x )
cx + d c cx + d c c
d d
_ Find range with domain x k − or x k −
c c
a a e a e a
Range of f: f ( x) + or + f ( x)
c c ck + d c ck + d c
2x − 3 1
Exercise: Find range of f ( x) = , x
3x − 1 3
• Case 1: Without given domain
d
Domain of f: x −
c
a
Range of f: f ( x )
c
• Case 2: Given domain, base on the graph to determine
ax + b
How to sketch the graph of f ( x) =
cx + d
d a
_ Vertical asymptote: x = − _ Horizontal asymptote: y =
c c
d
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_ Substitute x = u u −
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a a
If f (u ) If f (u )
c c
Note:
d d ax + b
1. With domain: x − or x − , f ( x) = is one-one function, so it has f −1 ( x )
c c cx + d
a ax + b
2. You can change the form y = + b into form y =
cx + d cx + d
Action
1. The function f defined by
Exercises 2: (HW)
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II. Composite functions
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