Chapter 3 Functions
3.1 Functions, Domain and
Range
Definition of Functions
A function is a relation in which each possible input value leads to
exactly one output value. Then we can say “the output is a function
of the input.”
The input values or independent variables make up the domain. The
output values or dependent variables make up the range.
Determine Whether a Relation is a Function
Given a relationship between two quantities, determine whether
the relation is a function.
1. Identify the input values.
2. Identify the output values.
3. If each input value leads to only one output value, classify
the relationship as a function. If any input value leads to two
or more outputs, do not classify the relationship as a
function.
Determine whether a Relation is a Function
inputs outputs inputs outputs
a a m
m
b n
b
n c k
c
(1) (2)
inputs outputs
(1) and (2) are functions. m
a
(3) is not a function. n
b
k
(3)
Function Notations
The notation y = f ( x) defines a function named f . The letter x
represents the input value, or independent variable. The letter y,
represents the output value, or dependent variable.
Given the formula for a function, evaluate it.
1. Replace the input variable in the formula with the value
provided.
2. Calculate the result.
Example 3.1.1
Evaluate f ( x) = x 2 + 2 x − 5 at
f ( a + h) − f ( a )
(1) 2 (2) a (3) a + h (4) .
h
Solution f ( a + h) − f ( a )
(4)
(1) f (2) = 22 + 2 ⋅ 2 − 5 = 3 h
(2) f (a ) = a 2 + 2a − 5 =
( a 2 + 2ah + h2 + 2a + 2h − 5) − ( a 2 + 2a − 5)
h
(3) f (a + h) = ( a + h ) + 2 ( a + h ) − 5
2
2ah + h 2 + 2h
=
a 2 + 2ah + h 2 + 2a + 2h − 5
= h
= 2a + h + 2
Evaluating Functions Expressed in Formulas
Given a function in equation form, write its algebraic formula.
1. Solve the equation to isolate the output variable on one side
of the equal sign, with the other side as an expression that
involves only the input variable.
2. Use all the usual algebraic methods for solving equations.
Example 3.1.2
Express the relationship 2 x + 6 y = 11 as a function y =
f ( x), if possible.
Solution
6 y= 11 − 2 x
11 − 2 x
y=
6
11 1
= )
y f ( x= − x
6 3
Functions that Cannot be Represented by an Algebraic Formula
Are there relationships expressed by an equation that do
represent a function but that still cannot be represented by an
algebraic formula?
Yes, this can happen. For example, given the equation x= y + 3 y.
If we want to express y as a function of x, there is no simple
algebraic formula involving only x that equals y. However, each
x does determine a unique value for y.
In this case, we say that the equation gives an implicit rule for y as
a function of x.
Example 3.1.3
Does the equation x 2 + 4 y 2 = 5 represent a function with x as input
and y as output? If so, express the relationship as a function y = f ( x).
One-to-One Functions
A one-to-one function is a function in which each output
value corresponds to exactly one input value. There are no
repeated x- or y- values.
Example 3.1.4
Determine which of the followings are one-to-one functions?
(1) y 2=
x (2) y 3 x 2
−4 x 3
(3) y = (4) y =
x
Basic Toolkit Functions
(1) A constant function:
y=2
(2) A linear function:
y=x
Basic Toolkit Functions
(3) An absolute value
function:
y= x
(4) A quadratic function:
y = x2
Basic Toolkit Functions
(5) A cubic function:
y = x3
(6) A reciprocal function:
1
y=
x
Basic Toolkit Functions
(7) A reciprocal squared
function:
1
y= 2
x
(8) A square root function:
y= x
Basic Toolkit Functions
(9) A cube root function:
y=3 x
Domain and Range of a Function
1. In determining domains and ranges, we need to consider what
is physically possible or meaningful in real-world examples.
2. We also need to consider what is mathematically permitted.
Finding the Domain and Range of a Function
Given a function written in equation form, find the domain and range.
1. Identify the input values.
2. Identify any restrictions on the input. Such as for an even root, the
radicand cannot be negative, and for a fraction, the denominator
cannot be zero.
3. Write the domain in interval form, making sure to exclude any
restricted values from the domain.
4. Use the valid input values to determine the range.
Example 3.1.5
Find the domain and the range for the followings.
(1) f ( x)= 5 − 3 x 2
(2) f ( x) =4 + x − 1
5
(3) f ( x) =
x−2
3
3− x
(4) f ( x) =
2x + 3
Assignment 6-Part 1
1. Find the domain for the followings.
4− x
(1) f ( x) =
3 − 2x −1 (2) f ( x) =
3x + 2
3
1− 2x
(3) f ( x) =
2x + 3
3.2 Rates of Change and Behavior
of Graphs
Rate of Change
A rate of change describes how an output quantity changes
relative to the change in the input quantity. The units on a rate
of change are “output units per input units.”
The average rate of change between two input values is the
total change of the function values divided by the change in the
input values.
∆y f ( x2 ) − f ( x1 )
=
∆x x2 − x1
Average Rate of Change
Given the value of a function at different points, calculate the
average rate of change of a function for the interval between
two values.
1. Calculate the difference y2 − y1 =∆y.
2. Calculate the difference x2 − x1 =∆x.
∆y
3. Find the ratio .
∆x
Example 3.2.1
Gasoline costs have experienced some wild fluctuations over the last several
decades. The following table lists the average cost, in dollars, of a gallon of
gasoline for the years 2005 − 2012. The cost of gasoline can be considered as
a function of year.
x 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
C(x) 2.31 2.62 2.84 3.30 2.41 2.84 3.58 3.68
Find the average rate of change of the price of gasoline between 2007 and
2009 by using the data in the above table.
Example 3.2.1
Solution
In 2007, the price of gasoline was 2.84 dollars.
In 2009, the price of gasoline was 2.41 dollars.
The average of change is
∆y y2 − y1 2.41 − 2.84
= =
∆x x2 − x1 2009 − 2007
−0.43
= = −0.215
2
≈ −0.22 dollars per year
Increasing and Decreasing Properties
If S is a open interval of the domain of f , then f is
(1) increasing on S if f ( x2 ) > f ( x1 ) whenever x2 > x1.
(2) decreasing on S if f ( x2 ) < f ( x1 ) whenever x2 > x1.
(3) a constsnt on S if f ( x2 ) = f ( x1 ) for every x1 , x2 in S .
Increasing and Decreasing Intervals of the Toolkit Functions
Increasing and Decreasing Intervals of the Toolkit Functions
Increasing and Decreasing Intervals of the Toolkit Functions
Local Minima and Maxima
A function f has a local maximum at x = b if there exists an interval
( a, c ) with a < b < c such that, for any x ∈ ( a, c ) , f ( x) ≤ f (b).
Likewise, f has a local minimum at x = b if there exists an interval
( a, c ) with a < b < c such that, for any x ∈ ( a, c ) , f ( x) ≥ f (b).
Example 3.2.2
(1) Gragh f ( x) = x3 − 6 x 2 − 15 x + 20 with the help of a calculator or
graphing utilities.
(2) Then estimate the local extrema of the function.
(3) Determine the intervals on which the function is increasing and
decreasing.
Example 3.2.2
Solution
(1) With the help of Matlab, we can get
the graph.
(2) Calculating the first order derivative
of f ( x), we found f (−1) =28 is a local
maximum. f (5) = −80 is a local minimum.
(3) f is increasing on ( −∞, −1) and ( 5, ∞ ) .
f is decreasing on ( −1,5 ) .
Absolute Minima and Maxima
The absolute = maximum of f at x c is f (c) where f ( x) ≤ f (c) for
all x in the domain of f .
The absolute= minimum of f at x d is f (d ) where f ( x) ≥ f (d ) for
all x in the domain of f .
Example 3.2.3
(1) Gragh f ( x) = 2 x 2 − 8 x + 20 with the help of a calculator or
graphing utilities.
(2) Find all absolute maxima and mimima.
