Lecture 5

Function: it is a special type of relation where each element in the first set (called the domain) is
related to exactly one element in the second set (called the codomain). In other words, for every
input, there is only one unique output.
Notations
𝐹 = function
𝑋 = the independent variable
𝑌 = the dependent variable
𝐹(𝑥), 𝑔(𝑥), 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑥

Examples of functions

i. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2
ii. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 1
iii. 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥3 + 2𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 1

Example 1
Let X = {apple, banana, orange} and Y = {red, yellow, orange}.

A function 𝐹 from X to Y could be {(apple, red), (banana, yellow), (orange, orange)}.

Here, each fruit has exactly one assigned colour.

Example 2
Determine whether each of the following mappings is a function or not.

x 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦 𝑥 𝑦

-4
-10 -2
2
-3 3 -2
-12 -0
3
-2 6 -1
4 1
4
-1 7 0
5 2
5
0
3
6
6

2
42
3
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 Yes, it’s a function. Yes, it’s a function. Not a function.
Note that the third mapping is not a function because there is no way 1 can have two
outputs, say 3 & 4.

Domain of a function

It is the set of all values of the independent variable for which the function is defined. If
𝑥 is not in the domain of 𝑓, then we say that 𝑓 is independent at 𝑥. If 𝑥 is in the domain
of 𝑓, we say that 𝑓 is defined at 𝑥.

Example 1

Let 𝑦 ≥ 𝑥2 with the domain of −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2. Determine the relationship between domain and
range

Solution

Domain = {−2, −1,0,1,2}, and range= {0,1,4}

Domain Range

−2
−1 0
0 {1}
1 4
{2}

Example 2

Find an equation that represents 𝑦 as a function of 𝑥.

a) 𝑥2 + 𝑦 = 1, 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑦 = 1 − 𝑥2
b) −𝑥 + 𝑦2 = 1, 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑦2 = 1 + 𝑥, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 = √1 + 𝑥

Evaluating a function

Example 1

Let 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 1, find each of the following

a. 𝑔(2)
b. 𝑔(𝑡)
c. 𝑔(𝑥 − 2)
43
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 Solution

a. 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 1

𝑔(2) = −(22) + 4× 2 + 1 = −4 + 8 + 1 = 5
b. 𝑔(𝑡) = −(𝑡2) + 4 × 𝑡 + 1 = −𝑡2 + 4𝑡 + 1
c. 𝑔(𝑥 − 2) = −(𝑥 − 2)2 + 4(𝑥 − 2) + 1 = −𝑥2 + 4𝑥 − 4 + 4𝑥 − 8 + 1 = −𝑥2 + 8𝑥 – 11

Arithmetic combination of functions

Sum, Difference, Product and Quotient of functions

Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be two functions with overlapping domains, then for all 𝑥 common to both domains,
the sum, difference, products and quotient of 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined as follows
i) Sum
(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)
ii) Difference

(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)

iii) Product

(𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
iv) Quotient

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
( ) (𝑥) =
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)
Example 1

Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 + √𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3

𝑓
Find the functions 𝑓 + 𝑔, 𝑓 − 𝑔, 𝑓𝑔, and 7𝑓
𝑔

Solution
(𝒇 + 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)

= (1 + √𝑥 − 2 ) + (𝑥 − 3) = 𝑥 − 2 + √𝑥 − 2

(𝒇 − 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)

= (1 + √𝑥 − 2 ) − (𝑥 − 3)
44
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 = 1 + √𝑥 − 2 − 𝑥 + 3 = 4 − 𝑥 + √𝑥 − 2
(𝒇𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)

= (1 + √𝑥 − 2 )(𝑥 − 3)

= 𝑥 − 3 + 𝑥√𝑥 − 2 − 3√𝑥 − 2

Or = (1 + √𝑥 − 2 )(𝑥 − 3) as before

𝒇 𝑓(𝑥) 1 + √𝑥 − 2
( ) (𝒙) = =
𝒈 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥−3
(𝟕𝒇)(𝒙) = 7𝑓(𝑥)

= 7(1 + √𝑥 − 2 ) = 7 + 7√𝑥 − 2

Example 2

a) Find (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 – 1

b) Find (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) where 𝑥 = 2

Solution

a) 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) = (2𝑥 + 1) + (𝑥2 + 2𝑥 − 1) = 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 or 𝒙(𝒙 + 𝟒)

b) 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) = (2𝑥 + 1) − (𝑥2 + 2 − 1) = 2𝑥 + 1 − 𝑥2 − 2𝑥 + 1 = −𝑥2 + 2,

Since 𝑥 = 2 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 − (22) + 2 = −4 + 2 = −2.

Composite functions

A composite function is a function written in the form of;

Function:
1. 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) is sometimes written as (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)
2. 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) is sometimes written as (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)
3. 𝑓(𝑓(𝑥)) is sometimes written as (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑓)
4. 𝑔(𝑔(𝑥)) is sometimes written as (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔)

Example 1

Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 4 − 𝑥2

45
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 Find the following;

a. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥)
b. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥)

Solution

a. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(4 − 𝑥2) = (4 − 𝑥2) + 2 = 4 − 𝑥2 + 2 = −𝑥2 + 6

b. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥 + 2) = 4 − (𝑥 + 2)2 = 4 − 𝑥2 − 2𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 4 = −𝑥2 − 4𝑥

Example 2

Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 10 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 1 − 20𝑥, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔.

a. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(5)

b. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥)

c. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)

d. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔)

Solution

a. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(5) = 𝑓(𝑔(5) = 𝑓(1 − 20×5) = 𝑓 (−99),

𝑓(−99) = 3(−99)2 + 99 + 10 = 𝟐𝟗𝟓𝟏𝟐

b. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (1 − 20𝑥 )
𝑓(1 − 20𝑥) = 3(1 − 20𝑥)2 − (1 − 20𝑥) + 10
= 3(1 − 40𝑥 + 400𝑥2) − 1 + 20𝑥 + 10
= 3 − 120𝑥 + 1200𝑥2 − 1 + 20𝑥 + 10
= 12 − 100𝑥 + 1200𝑥2.
c. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(3𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 10)
= 1 − 20(3𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 10)
= 1 − 60𝑥2 + 20𝑥 − 200
= −199 − 60𝑥2 + 20𝑥
d. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔) = 𝑔(𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(1 − 20𝑥)
= 𝑔(1 − 20𝑥) = 𝑔(1 − 20(1 − 20𝑥)
= 1 − 20 + 400𝑥
= −𝟏𝟗 + 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝒙
46
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 Example 3

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥

Find;

i. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥)
ii. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥)
iii. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥)

Solution

i. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥) = (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑓)𝑓(𝑥) recall 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4

= (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥 − 4)
= 𝑓(𝑓(𝑥 − 4))
= 𝑓 (𝑥 − 4 − 4) = 𝑓(𝑥 − 8)
= (𝑥 − 8 − 4)
= 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐
ii. (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔)𝑔(𝑥), recall 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥
= (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑔)(3𝑥)
= 𝑔(𝑔(3𝑥))
= 𝑔(3(3𝑥)) = 𝑔(9𝑥)
= 3(9𝑥)
= 𝟐𝟕𝒙
iii. (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥) = (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)𝑓(𝑥) recall 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4
= (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥 − 4)
= 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 − 4)) recall 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥
= 𝑓 (3(𝑥 − 4)) = 𝑓(3𝑥 − 12), recall 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4
= (3𝑥 − 12) − 4
= 3𝑥 − 12 − 4
= 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟏𝟔
Inverse of Functions

Inverse functions are functions that “reverse” each other. For example, if 𝑓 takes 𝑎 and 𝑏, then
the inverse, 𝑓 −1, must take 𝑏 to 𝑎.

𝑎 → (𝑓) → 𝑏 → (𝑓−1) → 𝑎

Given the function 𝑓(𝑥), 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)
47
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 Steps to follow when determining the inverse of a function
i. First replace 𝑓(𝑥) with 𝑦
ii. Replace every 𝑥 with 𝑦 and 𝑦 with 𝑥
iii. Solve 𝑦
iv. Replace y with 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)

Example 1

Given 𝑓 (𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)

Solution

𝑓 (𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2

𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2

𝑥 = 3𝑦 − 2
𝑥+2 𝑥 2
3𝑦 = 𝑥 + 2, 𝑦= = 3+3
3

𝟏 𝟐
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝒙+
𝟑 𝟑
Example 2

Given 𝑓 (𝑥) = √6𝑥 + 2, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)

Solution

𝑓 (𝑥) = √6𝑥 + 2

𝑦 = √6𝑥 + 2

𝑥 = √6𝑦 + 2 squaring both sides

(𝑥)2 = (√6𝑦 + 2)2

𝑥 2 = 6𝑦 + 2
1 1
6𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2, 𝑦 = 6 𝑥2 + 3

48
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 𝟏 𝟐 𝟏
𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝒙 +
𝟔 𝟑
Example 3
1
Given 𝑓 (𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3, and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2 (𝑥 − 3),

Obtain:

a) (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥)
b) (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥)

Solution
1
a) (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓( (𝑥 − 3)
2

1
= 2. ( (𝑥 − 3) + 3)
2
=𝒙
b) (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(2𝑥 + 3)
1
= [(2𝑥 + 3) − 3]
2
3 3
=𝑥+2−2
=𝒙
Practice Questions

1. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 − 𝑥 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2

Find (i) (𝑓. 𝑜. 𝑔)(2)
(ii) (𝑔. 𝑜. 𝑓)(𝑥)
2. If R is a relation ′ <′ from 𝐴 = {1,2,3,4} 𝑡𝑜 𝐵 = {1,3,5} i.e. (𝑎, 𝑏) ∈ 𝑅 if a< 𝑏 then find
𝑅 −1
3. A random variable is a real valued function whose domain is in the form of a simple space.
Find the range of the random variable.
4. A and B are subsets of R. Every element 𝑥 of A is mapped to an element of B by the rule
5𝑥
𝑦(𝑥) = {(𝑥−3)(𝑥+3) if 𝑥 ≠ −1
1
𝐼𝑓 𝑥 = −1
Find A.
1+2𝑥
5. Find the inverse of the function 𝑥+7
6. Find the domain of the following functions.
49
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba
 𝑥
i)
√4−𝑥
𝑥2
ii)
4−𝑥
7. Using the diagram below, determine the following:
a) R
b) Reflexive sets on R
c) The domain, range and codomain

A a

B b

C c

D d

50
Basic Mathematics I University of Juba