Basic Mathematics
Functions
R Horan & M Lavelle
The aim of this document is to provide a short, self
assessment programme for students who wish to acquire
a basic understanding of the concept of functions.
Copyright
Last Revision Date: November 19, 2004
Version 1.0
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Functions (Introduction)
Flow Diagrams
Composite Functions
Inverse Functions
Quiz on Functions
Solutions to Exercises
Solutions to Quizzes
Section 1: Functions (Introduction)
1. Functions (Introduction)
The concept of a function is essential in mathematics. There are two
common notations in use:
(a) f (x)= x2 + 2 ,
(b) f : x 7x2 + 2 .
Part (a) is commonly used. Part (b) is interpreted as
the function f maps x to x2 + 2.
Example 1 If two functions are given as f (x) = 2x + 3,
and g(x) = 3 x2 , then
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
f (2) = 2 2 + 3 = 7
f (3) = 2 (3) + 3 = 6 + 3 = 3
g(0) = 3 (0)2 = 3
g(4) = 3 (4)2 = 3 16 = 13
Section 1: Functions (Introduction)
Example 2
Find the numbers which map to zero under the function
h : x 7 x2 9 .
Solution The function can also be written as h(x) = x2 9 and if
x maps to zero then h(x) = 0, i.e.
x2 9 = 0
x2 = 9
since squaring both 3 and 3 gives the value 9.
Exercise 1. Two functions are given as h : x 7 x2 4
and g : x 7 10x + 5. Find the following: (Click on the green letters
for solution.)
(a) h(1)
(c) h(0)
(e) g(1)
(b) h(2)
(d) g(3)
(f) the values of x such that h(x) = 12
Section 2: Flow Diagrams
2. Flow Diagrams
The function f (x) = 2x + 3 in example 1 may be represented as a
flow diagram.
x
2x
2x+3
multiply by 2 add 3
From the diagram it is clear that the order of the operations cannot
be confused. First multiply by 2 and then add 3.
Example 3
Draw a flow diagram for the two functions given by
4x 2
(a) k : x 7 (3x 2)2 ,
(b) g(x) =
.
3
Solution
(a)
3x
3x2
multiply by 3 subtract 2 square
(3x2)2
4x2
x
4x
4x2
3
(b)
multiply by 4 subtract 2 divide by 3
Section 2: Flow Diagrams
Exercise 2. Draw flow diagrams for each of the following functions.
(Click on the green letters for solution.)
(a) h : x 7 6x + 1
(d) g : x 7 3x2 4
(b) h : x 7 4(3 2x) (c) h : x 7 (2x 5)2
2x2
(e) g : x 7
+ 5 (f) g : x 7 x2 + 2
3
Now try this short quiz.
Quiz From the functions listed below choose the one which is given
by the following flow diagram.
x
cube divide by 4 subtract 1 square add 4
2
x3
1 +4
(a)
4
3 2
x
(c)
+4
41
x3
2
(1) + 4
(b)
4
x 3
2
(d)
+ (1) + 4
4
Section 3: Composite Functions
3. Composite Functions
The function f (x) = 2x + 3, from example 1, is composed of two
simpler functions, i.e. multiply by 2 and add 3. If these two functions
are written as h : x 7 2x and g : x 7 x + 3 then the composition of
these two functions is written gh (sometimes as gh or g(h(x))).
Example 4 If h : x 7 2x2 and g : x 7 x + 5, find the composite
function gh.
Solution Applying first h and then g results in the composite function
p
gh = 2x2 + 5 .
This can best be seen by using flow diagrams.
x
x2
2x2
2x2 +5
2x2 +5
square multiply by 2 add 5 square root
|
{z
}
|
{z
}
h
N.B. The composition of two functions, f g,
is NOT the same as the product of two functions.
Section 3: Composite Functions
Exercise 3. For each of the following functions, f, g, write down the
function f g. (Click on the green letters for solution.)
(a) f (x) = 2x + 1, g(x) = x 3
(b) f : x 7 2x 1, g : x 7 x2
(c) f (x) = x2 , g(x) = 2x 1
x
(e) f (x) = 2, g(x) = 3x2
3
(d) f : x 7 x + 3, g : x 7 x 3
x
(f) f : x 7 3x2 , g : x 7 2
3
The functions in part (b) above are reversed in part (c). The results
show that, in general, reversing the order of two functions changes
the composite function. In simpler terms if h and k are two functions
then, in general, hk 6= kh.
Quiz Two functions are given as
f : x 7 2x2 1 and g : x 7 x 3 .
Which of the following is a solution to f (g(x)) = 7?
(a) x = 5
(b) x = 5
(c) x = 2
(d) x = 2
Section 4: Inverse Functions
4. Inverse Functions
If a function f maps m to n then the inverse function, written as f 1 ,
maps n to m.
Example 5
Find the inverse of the function h : x 7
4x 3
.
2
Solution First draw a flow diagram for the function.
4x3
4x
4x3
2
multiply by 4 subtract 3 divide by 2
Now draw a flow diagram, starting from the right, with each operation replaced by its inverse.
2x+3
2x+3
2x
divide by 4 add 3 multiply by 2
The inverse of h : x 7
4x 3
2x + 3
is thus h1 : x 7
.
2
4
Section 4: Inverse Functions
10
If a function f has an inverse f 1 then the composite function f f 1
is the identity function which was mentioned in exercise 3(d), i.e.
f f 1 : x 7 x. It is also true that f 1 f : x 7 x.
Example 6 For the function h in example 5, show that the composite function hh1 is the identity function.
2x + 3
. For the composition
4
hh1 (x), therefore, this must be operated on by the function h, i.e.
in the first flow diagram of example 5 the input on the right hand
2x + 3
side must be
.
4
Solution
First note that h1 : x 7
2x+3
h1 (x)
2x+3
2x
4
multiply by 4 subtract 3 divide by 2
|
{z
}
h(x)= 4x3
2
A similar exercise will show that h1 h is also the identity function.
Section 4: Inverse Functions
11
Exercise 4. Find the inverse of each of the following functions in the
form x 7 . . . (Click on the green letters for solution.)
(a) f (x) = 3x + 4
(b) f : x 7 4(x 1)
(c) f (x) = 3(2x + 5)
(d) g : x 7 8x + 3
(e) g(x) =
1
(3x + 4) + 6
2
(f) g : x 7
2x + 1
3
Quiz Two functions are given as
1
f : x 7 x and g : x 7 3x + 16 .
2
If h = f g, which of the following is h1 ?
1
(2x + 16)
3
1
: x 7 (2x 16)
3
(a) h1 : x 7
(c) h1
(b) h1 : x 7 3(2x + 16)
x
(d) h1 : x 7 2
16
3
Section 5: Quiz on Functions
12
5. Quiz on Functions
Begin Quiz If three functions are given as f : x 7 x2 , g : x 7
4x , h : x 7 x + 5, choose the correct options for the following.
(a) 8x2 ,
f g : x 7 . . .
(b) 4x2 ,
(c) 16x ,
(d) 16x2 .
(a) 8x2 ,
gf : x 7 . . .
(b) 4x2 ,
(c) 16x ,
(d) 16x2 .
(a) 5 + 4x ,
gh : x 7 . . .
(b) 4 + 5x ,
(c) 4x + 5 ,
(d) 4(x + 5) .
1.
2.
3.
4.
(hg)1 : x 7 . . .
1
1
(a) (x 5) , (b) (x + 5) ,
4
4
End Quiz Score:
(c)
1
(x + 4) ,
5
Correct
(d)
1
(x 4) .
5
Solutions to Exercises
13
Solutions to Exercises
Exercise 1(a) The function is h(x) = x2 4 so
h(1) = (1)2 4
= 14
= 3
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
14
Exercise 1(b) The function is h(x) = x2 4 so
h(2) = (2)2 4
= 44
= 0
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
15
Exercise 1(c) The function is h(x) = x2 4 so
h(0) = (0)2 4
= 04
= 4
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
16
Exercise 1(d) The function is g(x) = 10x + 5 so
g(3) = 10 (3) + 5
= 30 + 5
= 35
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
17
Exercise 1(e) The function is g(x) = 10x + 5 so
g(1) = 10 (1) + 5
= 10 + 5
= 5
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
18
Exercise 1(f ) If h(x) = 12 then since h(x) = x2 4,
x2 4 = 12
x2 = 4 + 12
= 16
x = 4
since the square of both 4 and 4 is 16.
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
19
Exercise 2(a)
For h : x 7 6x + 1 the flow diagram is
x
6x
6x+1
multiply by 6 add 1
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
20
Exercise 2(b)
For h : x 7 4(3 2x) the flow diagram is
2x
32x
multiply by 2 add 3 multiply by 4
Click on the green square to return
4(32x)
Solutions to Exercises
21
Exercise 2(c)
For h : x 7 (2x 5)2 the flow diagram is
2x
2x5
multiply by 2 subtract 5 square
Click on the green square to return
(2x5)2
Solutions to Exercises
22
Exercise 2(d)
For g : x 7 3x2 4 the flow diagram is
x2
3x2
3x2 4
square multiply by 3 subtract 4
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
23
Exercise 2(e)
2x2
For g : x 7
+ 5 the flow diagram is
3
x2
2x2
2x2
3
square multiply by 2 divide by 3
add 5
Click on the green square to return
2x2
3
+5
Solutions to Exercises
24
Exercise 2(f )
For g : x 7 x2 + 2 the flow diagram is
x2
x2 +2
square add 2 take square root
Click on the green square to return
x2 +2
Solutions to Exercises
25
Exercise 3(a)
For the functions f (x) = 2x + 1, g(x) = x 3 the function f g is
f g : x 7 2(x 3) + 1 = 2x 6 + 1 = 2x 5 .
The flow diagram is
x
2(x3)
x3
subtract 3 multiply by 2
|
{z
}
|
{z
g
add 1
}
2(x3)+1
The function f g can also be determined as follows. The two functions
can be written as f (z) = 2z+1 and g(x) = x3. Then by substituting
z = g(x) into f (z) = 2z + 1,
f g(x) =
=
=
=
f (g(x))
2g(x) + 1
2(x 3) + 1
2x 5 .
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
26
Exercise 3(b)
For the functions f : x 7 2x 1, g : x 7 x2 the function f g is
f g : x 7 2x2 1 .
The flow diagram is
x2
2x2
2x2 1
square multiply by 2 subtract 1
|
{z
}
| {z }
g
The composition may also be determined by writing f (z) = 2z 1
and g(x) = x2 and substituting z = g(x), obtaining
f g(x) = f (g(x))
= 2g(x) + 1
= 2 x2 1
= 2x2 1 .
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
27
Exercise 3(c)
For the functions f : x 7 x2 , g : x 7 2x 1 the function f g is
f g : x 7 (2x 1)2 .
The flow diagram is
x
2x
(2x1)2
2x1
multiply by 2 subtract 1 square
|
{z
}
| {z }
g
Alternatively, writing f (z) = z and g(x) = 2x 1, then substituting
for z = g(x):
f g(x) = f (g(x))
= (g(x))2
= (2x 1)2 .
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
28
Exercise 3(d)
For the functions f : x 7 x + 3, g : x 7 x 3 the function f g is
f g : x 7 x .
The flow diagram is
x
x3
subtract 3 add 3
|
{z
}
| {z }
g
(x3)+3
The function which maps x to x is called the identity function. The
identity function does not change the value of x.
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
29
Exercise 3(e)
x
For the functions f : x 7 2, g : x 7 3x2 the function f g is
3
f g : x 7 x2 2 .
The flow diagram is
x
x2
3x2
x2
x2 2
square multiply by 3 divide by 3 subtract 2
|
{z
}
|
{z
}
g
z
Writing f (x) = 2 and g(x) = 3x2 and substituting z = g(x),
3
g(x)
f g(x) = f (g(x)) =
2
3
3x2
2
=
3
2
= x 2.
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
30
Exercise 3(f )
x
For the functions f : x 7 3x2 , g : x 7 2 the function f g is
3
x
2
f g : x 7 3
2 .
3
The flow diagram is
x
3
3
divide by 3
subtract 2
square
|
{z
}
|
( x3 2)
multiply by 3
{z
}
3( x
3 2)
Alternatively, the functions are f (z) = 3z 2 and g(x) =
x
2. Thus
3
f g(x) = f (g(x))
= 3(g(x))2
x
= 3( 2)2 .
3
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
31
Exercise 4(a)
For the function f : x 7 3x + 4 the flow diagram is
3x
3x+4
multiply by 3 add 4
The inverse is thus
x4
x4
divide by 3 subtract 4
so
f 1 : x 7
Click on the green square to return
x4
.
3
Solutions to Exercises
32
Exercise 4(b)
For the function f : x 7 4(x 1) the flow diagram is
x
4(x1)
x1
subtract 1 multiply by 4
The inverse is thus
x
+1
4
4
add 1
divide by 4
Thus
f 1 : x 7
Click on the green square to return
x
+ 1.
4
Solutions to Exercises
33
Exercise 4(c)
For the function f : x 7 3(2x + 5) the flow diagram is
x
2x
2x+5
multiply by 2 add 5 multiply by 3
3(2x+5)
The inverse has the flow diagram
1
2
x
x
( x3 5)
x
3
3 5
divide by 3
subtract 5
divide by 2
Thus
f 1 : x 7
1 x
5
2 3
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
34
Exercise 4(d)
For the functions g : x 7 8x + 3 the flow diagram is
8x
multiply by 8 add 3
8x+3
The inverse function has flow diagram
81 (x3)
x3
divide by 8 subtract 3
so the inverse function is
1
g 1 : x 7 (x 3) .
8
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Exercises
35
Exercise 4(e)
Before beginning this question the function may be simplified by noting that
1
1
12
1
(3x + 4) + 6 = (3x + 4) +
= (3x + 16)
2
2
2
2
1
so that the function is g : x 7 (3x + 16). The flow diagram for this
2
function is
x
3x
3x+16
multiply by 3 add 16 divide by 2
1
2 (3x+16)
The inverse flow diagram is
1
3 (2x16)
2x16
1
(2x 16).
3
Click on the green square to return
and
2x
divide by 3 subtract 16 multiply by 2
g 1 : x 7
Solutions to Exercises
36
Exercise 4(f )
For the functions g : x 7
x
2x + 1
the flow diagram is
3
2x
2x+1
multiply by 2 add 1 divide by 3
1
3 (2x+1)
and the inverse is given by
1
2 (3x1)
3x
3x1
divide by 2 subtract 1 multiply by 3
so that
g 1 : x 7
1
(3x 1) .
2
Click on the green square to return
Solutions to Quizzes
37
Solutions to Quizzes
Solution to Quiz:
The flow diagram
x
cube divide by 4 subtract 1 square add 4
is completed as
x3
x3
x3
4
4
subtract 1
cube divide by 4
x3
4
1
square
x3
4
2
which is the function k : x 7
add 4
x3
1
4
x3
4
2
+4
2
+ 4.
End Quiz
Solutions to Quizzes
38
Solution to Quiz:
For the functions f : x 7 2x2 1 and g : x 7 x 3 , the composite
function is f g(x) = 2(x 3)2 1.
2(x 3)2 1
2(x 3)2
(x 3)2
x3
x
=
=
=
=
=
7
1+7=8
4
2
32
so that x = 5 and x = 1 are both solutions.
End Quiz
Solutions to Quizzes
39
Solution to Quiz:
1
(3x + 16). This is the function
2
obtained by simplifying the function of exercise 4(e). The inverse of
the function is thus
1
h1 : x 7 (2x 16) ,
3
as shown in that exercise.
End Quiz
The function h = f g is h : x 7
