Evaluating Functions

The value that we plug in a function is called an argument of the function. For example,
we are given x = 2 and we are asked to plug in this value in f(x) = 2x, we then substitute the
value 2 for all x in the function. We have:
F(x) = 2x
F(2) = 2(2) This process of plugging in an argument and
F(2) = 4 simplifying the equation is the process of
evaluating functions.
Example 1:
Evaluate g(x) = 4x – 3 for the following arguments:
a) 2 b) -4 c) -1 d) 0
Solution:
a. If x = 2 b. If x = -4 c. If x = -1 d. If x = 0
g(2) = 4(2) -3 g(-4) = 4(-4) – 3 g(-1) = 4(-1) – 3 g(0) = 4(0) – 3
= -16-3 = -4-3 = 0 -3
= 8 -3
g(-4) = -19 g(x) = -7
g(x) = -3
g(2) = 5

Example 2:

Find the value of y in the equation y = 2x-1 if x = -1.

Solution:

Substitute the value of x into the given equation, then solve for y.
Y = 2x - 1 therefore, in the given equation, if x = -1, then y = -3.
These values
= 2(-1) - 1 can be written as an ordered pair ( -1,-3).
= -2 - 1
Y = -3
Example 3:
2 X+ 1
If the value of y in the equation y = is 3, find x.
X−2
Solution: Replace y with 3 in the equation, then solve for x.
 2 x +1
3=
x−2
3( x-2) = 2x +1 Multiplying both sides by x-2
3x-6 = 2x + 1 Distributive property of multiplication
3x-2x = 1 + 6 Combining similar terms
x=7 Therefore, x = 7 if y = 3 in the given equation.

4. Let f be a function defined by f(x) = 2x + 7. Find the following.

1 f (4)
a. f(-2) b. f( ) c. f(2) - f(-4) d.
2 f (3)
Solution:

a. f(-2) = 2(-2) + 7 c. f(2) – f(-4) = [2(2) +7 ]-[2(-4)+7]

= -4 + 7 = [4 +7] – [-8+7]
= 3 = 11-(-1)
= 12

1 1 f (4) 2 ( 4 ) +7
b. f( ) = 2( ) + 7 d. =
2 2 f (3) 2 ( 3 ) +7
= 1+7 8+7
=
=8 6+7
15
=
13

5. Evaluate each function.

1
a. f(x) = 3x + 1; f( x - 2 ) b. f(x) = 2 x+2; f(x-2)

Solution: Solution:
1 1
a. f(x- ) = 3( x - ) + 1
2 2
b. f(x-2) = 2( x−2)+2
 3 f(x-2) = 2 x
= 3x - + 1
2
1 1
f(x - ) = 3x -
2 2

6. Let H (x) = √ x−3. Find the following:

1
a. H(3) b. H(-1) c. H( )
3

Solution: Solution: Solution:

a. H(3) = √ 3−3 b. H(-1) = √ −1−3

c. H(
√ √
1 )= 1
3
( −3)
3
=0 = √ −4 or 2i

=
√ −8 or 2i √ 6
3 3

Note that the square root of a negative number does not exist; hence, the function H(x) =
√ x−3 is defined only if x-3≥0. The values of x here are nonnegative. Thus, the only
admissible values of x are all real numbers greater than or equal to 3. Take note that given
this condition, the function values of H always exist. In fact, H(x)≥0 for x≥ 3.
x +2
7. Let f(x) = 2
x −1
, find the following if they exist.

a. f(1) b. f(-1) c. f(2)

Solution: Solution: Solution:

1+2 3 −1+2 1 2+2 4
a. f(1) = 2 = b. f(-1) = 2 = c. f(2) = 2 =
1 −1 0 (−1) −1 0 2 −1 3

Solution:
 1+2 3 −1+2 1 2+2
f(1) = 2 = f(-1) = 2 = f(2) = 2 =
1 −1 0 (−1) −1 0 2 −1
4
3
The denominator cannot be zero, therefore f(1) and f(-1) are not defined for x=∓ 1.
Note that x 2- 1 = 0 for both x = 1 and x = -1. So, f(1) and f(-1) both do not exist.

8. Evaluate each functions:

a. f(x) = │2 x 2−3 x +1 │, f (x- 1)

Solution:
f(x- 1)
=│2( x−1)2−3( x −1)+1 │

= │2(x ¿¿ 2−2 x +1)−3 x+3+ 1│ ¿

= │2 x 2−4 x +2−3 x + 4 │

= │2 x 2−7 x+ 6│

b. f(x) = 3−2 x 3, f(
1
)
c. f(x) = √ x 2−2 x +5 , f(3)
2 Solution:
Solution:
3
√
= 32−2(3)+5
1
= 3−2( ) = √ 9−6+5
2
1 = √8
= 3 – 2( )
8 = 2√ 2
1
= 3-
4
11
=
4

9. If f(x) = 2 x 2 + 3x – 1, evaluate the following:

 Solution: Solution: Solution:

a. f(2) = 2(2)2 + 3(2) – 1 b. f(a) = 2(a)2 + 3(a) – 1 c. f(-a) = 2(−a)2 + 3(-a) – 1

=8+6–1 =2 a2 + 3a – 1 = 2 a2 -3a – 1
= 13

10: Evaluate the piecewise-defined function at the indicated values:

{
2
x +1 if x <0
G(x) = x +1 if x ≥ 0

Solution:

a. g(-3) = (−3)2 + 1 b. g(-1) = (−1)2 + 1 c. g( 1) = 1 + 1

= 9+ 1 =1+1 =2
= 10 = 2

d. g(0) = 0 + 1 e. g(2) = 2 + 1
=1 =3