C3/1 - FUNCTIONS 1

Definitions

MAPPING - any rule which associates two sets of items.

DOMAIN - the set of all possible inputs.

(x-values)

RANGE - the set of outputs for a particular set of inputs.

(y-values)

Note that d, r is in the same alphabetical order as x, y

CO-DOMAIN - the set of all possible outputs.

OBJECT / INPUT - an item input to the mapping.

IMAGE / OUTPUT - an item which is the outcome of applying the mapping

rule.

ONE-TO-ONE - one input gives one output.

ONE-TO-MANY - one input gives more than one output.

MANY-TO-ONE - more than one input gives a particular output.

MANY-TO-MANY - many inputs give many outputs.

Mathematical Mappings

In maths, many (but not all) mappings can be expressed using algebra.

e.g. Domain: integers Range: odd integers

General rule: x 2x + 5

-1 3
0 5
1 7 Range is
2 9 { 3,5,7,9,11}
3 11

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e.g. Domain: integers Range: real numbers

General rule: Rounded unrounded

whole numbers
numbers

1.9
2 2.1
2.33
2.52
3 2.99
π

e.g. Domain: real numbers Range: - 1 ≤ y ≤ 1

General rule: x o Sin x o

0 0
45 0.707
90 1
135
180

x 2 − 4x + 3 = 0 0
x2 − x = 0 1
x 2 − 3x + 2 = 0 2
3

b+ b2 − 4ac
General rule: ax2 + bx + c = 0 x=
2a

b − b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a

Which type of mapping is each of the above? e.g. one-to-one, etc.

Functions

Functions are mappings which are one-to-one or many-to-one

e.g. x → x 2 and x o → Cos xo are both functions because each value of x gives
one output.

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Notation

The function which maps x onto x2 can be written in any of the following ways:

y = x2, f (x) = x2, f : x → x2.

Graphs of Functions

Since there is one and only one value of y for each x value the graph of a
function is a simple curve or line going from left to right with no doubling back
and no breaks or gaps.

e.g. these are functions

e.g. these are not functions:

Restricted Domains ( x values allowed)

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Some functions have restricted domains due to their nature,

(i) for a rational (ie fractional) function: denominator term ≠ 0

(ii) for a function: term inside the must be > 0

(iii) for a function which contains Iogs: term inside the log must be > 0

Example
2
(i) f:x → , x + 4 ≠ 0, x ≠ - 4
x+4

(ii) f : x → x + 3 , x + 3 > 0, x > - 3

(iii) f : x → log (x - 1), x – 1 > 0, x > 1

Range of Functions (y values)

Some functions can only have certain y values. Looking at the graph is
helpful.

(i) Square functions: the square is always positive or zero

eg: y = 3x2, y > 0, y = 2x2 -3, y > -3

(ii) Quadratics: complete the square and sketch the parabola.

eg: y = x2 - 8x – 3 = (x - 4)2 – 16 -3 = (x – 4)2 – 19

So, range is y > - 19

(iii) Rational functions with a variable denominator :

2 2
eg y = 2 , y ≠0, y= 2 - 5, y ≠ -5
x +4 x +4

(iv) y = Sin x , y = Cos x, -1 < y < 1

(v) y= f ( x) , y > 0, eg y = x , y > 0, y = x +5, y > 5

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Transformation of Functions

Translation - look for add/subtract

t in x dir’ n
t 
The graph y = f(x - t) + s is obtained from y = f (x) by a translation of  
s  s in y dir’ n

Examples
 4
(i) y = (x - 4)2 is a translation by   of the curve y = x2
0

0
(ii) y = x2 + 3 is a translation by   of the curve y = x2
3

 4
(iii) y = (x - 4)2 + 3 is a translation by   of the curve y = x2
3

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Exercise

1. State the translation which can be applied to the first curve in each
example in order to obtain the second curve.

(i) y = x2; y = (x - 9)2

(ii) y = x2; y = x2 - 10

(iii) y = x2; y = (x + 2)2 + 16

(iv) y = x2; y = (x – 7)2 + 5

(v) y = x3; y = (x + 11)3 - 15

(v) y = x2 + 7; y = (x + 3)2 + 9

(vi) y = x2 - 4; y = (x - 1)2 - 6

(vii) y = sin x; y = sin (x + 45 o ) - 3

(viii) y = tan x + 10; y = tan (x - 20 o ) + 8

(ix) y = 2 x3 - 5x + 3; y = 2 (x + 2)3 - 5 (x + 2) + 1

2. Find the equations of the curves when the translations next to them have
been applied.

 3
(i) y = x2;  
 −5 

 −4 
(ii) y = x2;  
 8

1 
(iii) y = 4x2;  
 2

 −4 
(iv) y = 2x3 - 3x2;  
 −1 

 20o 
(v) y = sin (x + 45);  
 3 

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 −y 90o 
2 
(vi) y = 3sin x;
 7 
One-way stretches – look1for multiply/divide
x

–360 –270 –180 –90 90 180 270 360

y-stretch: the graph of y = af(x) is obtained from y = f (x) by a stretch of scale
–1
factor a parallel to the y axis.
–2
e.g. y = 2 sin x is y = sin x stretched by scale factor 2 in the y direction.

i.e. all the y coords are doubled so the max and min values are 2 and -2
instead of 1 and -1.

x-stretch: the graph of y =1.5f (ax)

y is obtained from y = f (x) by a stretch of scale
1
factor a parallel to the x axis.
1
0.5
x
e.g.
–360 the–270
graph –180
of y = –90
sin 2x is the 90
graph180
of y =270
sin x 360
stretched by scale
1 –0.5
factor 2 in the x-direction. –1
–1.5
i.e. all the x coords are halved so the graph crosses the x-axis at 0 o , 90 o ,180
o
, 270 o ... etc, instead of 0 o , 180 o , 360 o , 540 o ... etc

Example

(i) Find the value of a, p and q when y = 2x2 - 4x - 1 is written in the form y
= a [x + p]2 + q.

(ii) Show how the graph can be obtained from the graph of y = x2 by
successive transformations and list the transformations in the order in
which they are applied.

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C3/1 - FUNCTIONS 8

x
Solution
–8 –6 –4 –2 2 4 6 8

2x2 + 4x - 1 = 2  x + 2 x − 12 
2

= 2 [(x+1)2 -1 - 12 ] –5

= 2 [(x+1)2 - 32 ]

3
 −1 
y = (x + 1)2 - is a translation of y = x2 by  3  , then we apply a
− 2 
2

y - stretch of sf 2 to the translated curve to get y = 2 ( x + 1) − 32 

2

Y=x2
3
Y=(x+1)2 - 2

3
Y=2[(x+1)2 - 2 ]

NB: The stretch doubles the y coords of every point on the curve, including
the turning point.
Where the curve crosses the x-axis doesn't change since the y-coords
are zero and doubling them still makes them zero.

Reflections

The graph of y = - f (x) is the reflection of y = f (x) in the x-axis.

The graph of y = f (-x) is the reflection of y = f (x) in the y - axis.

Example

The graph of y = 2 x is shown below

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C3/1 - FUNCTIONS 9

4 y 2 y

Sketch on separate
3 diagrams the graphs of 1
x
2
-x –2 2
(i) y=2 1 –1
(ii) y = - 2x x
–2
–2 2

Solution –1 –3

–2 –4

(i) Replacing x by -x reflects curve in y axis

(ii) y = -2x reflects curve in x axis.

(i) (ii)

The General Quadratic Curve: You are now able to obtain any
quadratic curve by a transformation of y = x2.

Example

Write the equation y = 1 + 4x - x2 in the form a ( x + p ) + q 

2
(i)
(ii) Show how the graph of y may be obtained by a transformation of
y = x2, listing the order of the transformations.

Solution

1 + 4x - x2 = −1  x − 4 x − 1
2
(i)

= −1 ( x − 2 ) − 4 − 1
2

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4 10
C3/1 - FUNCTIONS
2
x
= - 1 ( x − 2 ) − 5 
2

–6 –4 –2 2 4 6
= − [ (x - 2)2 – 5 ]
–2

–4

–6

2 
(ii) y = x2 becomes y = (x - 2)2 - 5 by applying the translation  
 −5 

The curve y = (x - 2)2 - 5 becomes y = − ( x − 2 ) − 5  by applying a reflection

2

in the x-axis.

Composite Functions

A composite function or a function of a function is created by applying a

second function to the result of a first function i.e. wherever x occurs in the
second function you replace it with the first function.

Notation

fg (x) is the result of putting g (x) into f (x).

Example 1

Given that f (x) = 2x and g (x) = x2 find

(i) fg (x)
(ii) gf (x)

Solution

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(i) fg (x) = f (x2) = 2x2

(ii) gf (x) = g (2x) = (2x)2 = 4x2

Example 2

1
Given that f(x) = 2x and h(x) = x find

(i) fh (x)
(ii) hf (x)

Solution

1 1 2
(i) fh (x) = f ( )=2( )=
x x x

1
(ii) hf (x) = h (2x) =
2x

Example 3

1
Given that f (x) = x2 + 2 and g (x) = find (i) fg(x), (ii) gf (x)
2x

Solution

2
1  1  1
(i) fg (x) = f ( ) =   +2= + 2
2x  2x  4x 2

1
(ii) gf (x) = g (x2 + 2) =
2 (x + 2)
2

Example 4

Given that f (x) = x2 + 4x find (i) ff (x) (ii) fff (x)

NB: ff (x) is normally written f2 (x)

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fff (x) is normally written f3 (x) , etc.

Solution

(i) ff (x) = f2 (x) = f (x2 + 4x)

= (x2 + 4x)2 + 4 (x2 + 4x)
= x4 + 8 x3 + 16x2 + 4x2 + 16x
= x4 + 8x3 + 20x2 + 16x

(ii) f3 (x) = ff (x2 + 4)= x4 + 8x3 + 20x2 + 16x

x2 + 4x

= (x2 + 4x)4 + 8 (x2 + 4x)3 + 20 (x2 + 4x)2 + 16 (x2 + 4x)

Inverse Functions
-1
The reverse mapping of a function f (x) is called the inverse function f (x)

1
NB: f-1 (x) is NOT
f (x)

For example, look at the mapping x → x + 2

Domain Range
: :
: :
-1 -1
0 0
1 1
2 2
: 3
: 4
: :
: :
x x+2

The mapping is clearly a function since for every input there is only one
output.
The reverse mapping is also a function since for any input there is only one
output (each number maps onto two less than itself i.e. x → x - 2). The
reverse mapping is called the inverse function f-1 (x).

If we consider a many-to-one function then it is clear that the reverse mapping

is not itself a function since it will be one-to-many.

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C3/1 - FUNCTIONS x 13
2 4 6 8 10

So, for a function f to have an inverse function f -1, f must represent a one-to-
one mapping over the given domain and range.
y
6

You can decide whether a function has an inverse by looking at its graph.
4

2 4 6 8 10

y
6

–4 –2 2 4 6

The above functions both have an inverse because they have no turning
points (ie max or min points).

The graph of a many-to-one function has at least one turning point, eg y = x2

does not have an inverse because it is many-to-one (as indicated by the

turning point on the graph). If, however, the domain is restricted to one side
of the turning point then the function will be one-to-one and will have an
inverse:

eg : y = x 2 , x ≤ 0 has an inverse,
so does y = x2 , x ≥ 0 .

It is often helpful to restrict the domain of a function so that its inverse is also
a function
e.g. y = sin x, - 90° < x < 90° ,

has an inverse function y = sin -1x (or arc sin x).

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Similarly,
y = cos x, 0 < x < 180°
and y = tan x, -90° < x < 90°

both have inverse functions cos-1 x and tan-1 x over these restricted domains.

Using the inverse trig functions on your calculator will give angles in the above
ranges.

The Graph of a Function and its Inverse

The graph of f -1 (x) is the reflection of f (x) in the line y = x

The DOMAIN of f (x) = RANGE of f -1 (x)

The RANGE of f (x) = DOMAIN of f -1 (x)

Eg if y = f(x), x<5, y >2

then y = f-1(x), y<5, x >2

Finding the Inverse Function Algebraically

1. Start by changing ' f (x) =' into 'y = '

2. Rearrange the equation to get x in terms of y.

3. Replace y with x - this is now your inverse function.

Note: To find the inverse of a quadratic you must first put it in completed
square form.

Example 1

Find f -1 (x) when f (x) = 2x + 1

Solution

Let y = 2x + 1

y -1
Rearrange to get x in terms of y: x =
2

x −1
Replace y with x: ∴ f −1 ( x ) =
2

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Example 2

Find f -1 (x) when f (x) = 2x - 3, x>4

Solution

Let y = 2x - 3

y+3
x=
2

x+3
∴ f −1(x) =
2

Since x > 4 for f (x), then y > 4 for f -1 (x)

and y > 5 for f (x), then x > 5 for f -1 (x).

obtained by substituting x > 4

into f 3(x)
Example

6
Find f -1(x) if f (x) = , x ≠ −2
x+2

Solution

6
Let y =
x+2

y (x + 2) =6
y x + 2y =6
yx = 6 - 2y
6 − 2y
x =
y 4 y

6 − 2x 3

∴ f -1 (x) = 2

x 1

For f (x), x ≠ −2 and y ≠ 0

–6 –4 –2 2 4 6

–1

∴ for f -1 (x), y ≠ -2, and x ≠ 0

–2

–3

–4

Example 4

Find f -1 (x) if f (x) = ex and sketch

f and f -1.

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Solution

y = ex
∴ x = ln y
⇒ f -1 (x) = ln x

∴ ex and ln x are reflection s of each other in line y = x.

Example 5

Find f-1(x) if f(x) = x2 + 3x – 5, x ≥ − 32

Solution

y = x2 + 3x – 5
= ( x + 32 ) − ( 32 ) − 5
2 2

= ( x + 32 ) − 294
2

Rearrange: ( x + 32 ) 2 − 294 = y
( x + 32 ) 2 = y + 294

x + 32 = ± y + 294

x = − 32 ± y + 294

So the inverse function f-1(x), is

y = − 32 + x + 294 ;

(we choose the + sign because the range of f-1 is y ≥ 32 )

Curve Sketching

1. Check whether the curve is a transformation of a standard curve.

2. Find where the curve cuts the axes (if reasonably simple) i.e. put x = 0
for intercept with y axis and y = 0 for intercept with x axis.

3. Check for symmetry - odd, even or periodic?

4. Find any vertical asymptotes (i.e. any values of x for which the function is
not defined).

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e.g.

1
(i) f (x) = , x ≠ 0 ∴ x = 0 is an asymptote.
x

2
(ii) f (x) = 3 + , x ≠ 4 ∴ x = 4 is asymptote.
x−4

(iii) f (x) = log (x + 3), x > - 3, x = -3 is asymptote.

(iv) f ( θ ) = tan θ , θ ≠ 90°, ∴ θ = 90° is an asymptote.

5. Examine the behaviour as x → + ∞ . If the function approaches a

constant value as x → + ∞ then the curve will have a horizontal
asymptote
2
e.g. ∞

2 2
f (x) = 3 + . As x → + ∞ , then → + 0, f (x) → 3 ∴ y = 3 is an
x−4 x−4
asymptote.

6. Look for any stationary points

Example

x+2 b
The function f (x) = . Write this in the form a + where a and b are
x −1 x −1
constants to be determined. Find (i) the equations of the asymptote (ii) the
words of the pts where the curve cross the axes. Sketch the curve.

Solution

x+2 b
≡a +
x −1 x −1

x + 2 a (x-1) + b
=
x −1 x −1

ax - a + b
=
x −1

Equating coeffs on the numerator:

x: 1=a

Constant: 2 = -a + b = b = 3

x - 1 ≠0 ⇒ x ≠1 ∴
asymptote x = 1
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x+2 3
∴ =1+
x −1 x −1

3 3
As x → + ∞ , → → ±0
x − 1 ±∞
3
∴1 + → 1± 0 → 1
x −1 ∴ asymptote y = 1

0+2
Crosses y - axis where x = 0 ⇒ y = = −2
0 −1

x+2
Crosses x - axis where y = 0 ⇒ 0 =
x −1

x+2 10 y
0 = [ x ( x − 1)]
x −1 5
x
0
−6
2 ⇒x = - 2
= x + −4 −2 2 4 6
−5

−10
Graph looks like this

Example

The diagram shows the graph of

1
f (x) =
(x + 3)(x − 3)

State (i) the coords of A

(ii) the equations of the asymptotes

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C3/1 - FUNCTIONS 19

Solution
1
f (x) =
(x + 3)(x − 3)

x-3 ≠0
X+3 ≠ 0 ∴ x ≠3
x ≠ −3 ∴ x = 3 asymptote
x=-3
asymptote

1 1
At A, x = 0 ∴ f (x) = =-
(0 + 3)(0 − 3) 9

∴ A is ( 0,− 91 )

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