Mathematics Forth Year ESO Bilingual Section IES “EL PALMAR”

UNIT 9 Functions

Definition: A function is a relation such that for each element in the domain, there corresponds
exactly one and only one element in the range.

Using Function Notation; Evaluating Functions

When an equation is explicitly solved for y, we say that “y is a function of x” or that the variable y
depends on the variable x. Thus, x is the independent variable and y is the dependent variable.

Instead of using the variable y, letters such as f , g or h (and others) are commonly used for functions.
For example, suppose we wanted to name a function f. Then for any x-value in the domain, we will
call the y-value (or function value) f ( x) . The symbol f ( x) is read as “the value of the function f at x”
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or simply “f of x”. For example, the function y = x + 6 can be written as f ( x) = x + 6 . The
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notation f ( x) is called function notation.

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In addition, when f ( x) = x + 6 then the expression f (−4) represents the range value (y-coordinate)
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when the domain value (x-coordinate) is −4 . To find this value, replace x by −4 in the
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equation f ( x) = x + 6 to get f (−4) = (−4) + 6 = −6 + 6 = 0 . Thus the ordered pair (−4, 0) must lie on
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the graph of f.

Domain and Range

• The Domain is the set of permissible inputs and the Range is the set of resulting outputs.
• This means that the Domain represents all the numbers that x can equal, and the Range is all the
numbers that y could equal.

Note: The elements of the domain and range are typically listed in ascending order when
using set notation.

If the domain and range of a relation are sets of real numbers, then the relation can be represented by
plotting the ordered pairs in the Cartesian plane. The set of all of the x-coordinates is the domain of the
relation and the set of all y-coordinates is the range of the relation.

Determining the Domain of a Function Given the Equation

The domain of a function y = f ( x) is the set of all values of x for which the function is defined. In
other words, a number x = a is in the domain of a function f if f (a ) is a real number. For example,
the domain of f ( x) = x 2 is all real numbers since for any real number x = a , the value of f (a ) = a 2 is
also a real number.

It is very helpful to classify a function to determine its domain. For example, the function f ( x) = x 2
belongs to a class of functions called polynomial functions. The domain of every polynomial function
is all real numbers.

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Mathematics Forth Year ESO Bilingual Section IES “EL PALMAR”

Polynomial Function

The function f ( x) = an x n + an−1 x n −1 + an − 2 x n −2 + ⋯ + a1 x + a0 is a polynomial function

of degree n where n is a nonnegative integer and a0 , a1 , a2 ,… , an are real numbers. The
domain of every polynomial function is ( −∞, ∞ ) .

Many functions can have restricted domains. For example, the quotient of two polynomial functions is
x+5
called a rational function. The rational function f ( x) = is defined everywhere except when
x−4
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x = 4 because the value f (4) = is undefined. Therefore, the domain of a rational function consists of
0
all real numbers for which the denominator does not equal zero. We will investigate rational functions
further in Chapter 4.

Rational Function
g ( x)
A rational function is a function of the form f ( x) = where g and h are polynomial
h( x )
functions such that h( x) ≠ 0. The domain of a rational function is the set of all real
numbers such that h( x) ≠ 0 .

Root functions can also have restricted domains. Consider the root function f ( x) = x + 1 . The
number x = 3 is in the domain because f (3) = 3 + 1 = 4 = 2 is a real number. However, −5 is not in
the domain because f (−5) = −5 + 1 = −4 = 2i is not a real number. Therefore, the domain of
f ( x) = x + 1 consists of all values of x for which the radicand is greater than or equal to zero. The
domain of g is the solution to the inequality x + 1 ≥ 0 .
x +1 ≥ 0
x ≥ −1 Subtract 1 from both sides.

Therefore, the domain of f is [ −1, ∞ ) . Root functions with roots that are odd numbers such as 3 or 5
can have negative radicands. Therefore, the domain of a root function of the form f ( x) = n g ( x) where
n is an odd positive integer consists of all real numbers for which g ( x) is defined.

Root Function
The function f ( x) = n g ( x) is a root function where n is a positive integer.

1. If n is even, the domain is the solution to the inequality g ( x) ≥ 0 .

2. If n is odd, the domain is the set of all real numbers for which g ( x) is defined.

Piecewise functions

The following graph is called a piecewise function because the function is defined by two or more
different equations applied to different parts of the function’s domain.

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Mathematics Forth Year ESO Bilingual Section IES “EL PALMAR”

Notice that it appears to be composed of three segments, each a

different linear function over a particular domain. Please note a
filled circle includes that point, while an open circle does not
include that point.

1. What is the domain for the first (left) segment?

2. What is the domain for the second (middle) segment?

3. What is the domain for the third (right) segment?

EXERCISE

1.- Graph the function y = x3 − 3 x + 2 defined in [ −2,3] . (Set up a table in this interval).

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2.- Graph the function: f ( x) = and find its domain.
x
3.- An isosceles triangle has a perimeter of 20 cm. If y is the length of the two equal sides and x is
the length of the other side a) Set up a table that relates the two values. b) Find the domain of the
function that relates x and y.

4.- The sketch on the right shows part of the graph of y = f(x)
which passes through the points A(-1,3), B(0, 2), C(1,0), D(2,
1), and E(3, 5).
a) On which intervals is f increasing?
b) On which intervals is f decreasing?
c) Identify the location of the relative maximum. What is it?
d) Identify the location of the relative minimum. What is it?

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5.- Find the domain of the following functions: a) y =
x −3
−3 x 2x −1
b) y = c) y = 2
2 x + 10 x +1
6.- Find the domain of a) y = x + 3 b) y = 2 x − 1 c) f ( x) = 1 − x

7.- Find the domain of the following functions: a) y = 2 x 3 − x + 12 b) y = − x 2 − 6 x − 4

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Mathematics Forth Year ESO Bilingual Section IES “EL PALMAR”

 −1 if x≤0
8.- Graph the piecewise function f ( x) = 
 1 if x≥0

 x + 1 , −6 ≤ x < −2

9.- Graph the piecewise function f ( x) = 5 , −2 ≤ x < 1
− 2 x + 1 , x ≥1


10.- A craftsman making decorative bird houses has invested $350.00 in materials. He plans to sell his
houses at craft and garden shows for $15.
a. Set up a model, draw a graph, and determine an equation to calculate his profit.
b. Use the graph to estimate how many bird houses he would have to sell to break even.
c. Use the equation to determine how many bird houses he would have to sell to break even.
d. How many birdhouses would he have to sell in order to make a profit of $250.00?

11.- We are designing fake tattoos for our next pep rally! One company offers the following prices.
- an initial $15 set up fee for the design
- $2 per tattoo if you purchase less than 75 tattoos
- $1 per tattoo if you purchase between 75 and 150 tattoos
- $0.50 per tattoo if you purchase more than 150 tattoos

Write a piecewise function to represent this story line.

12.- We are choosing a new long distance plan for Hillgrove. One company offers the following
prices.
- $50 for talking less than 120 minutes
- $100 if we talk between 120 and 240 minutes
- $150 if we talk more than 240 minutes

Write a piecewise function to represent this story line.

13.- Find the points of discontinuity of the following functions:

a) b)

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