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Lesson 4 Functions: 1. Basic Concepts

1. A function f is defined by a domain A, a range B, and a rule that assigns each element in A to a unique element in B. Functions can be represented by graphs, statements, tables, or formulas. 2. The domain of a function is the set of inputs, and may be restricted based on context, algebraic expressions, or other reasons. 3. Continuous functions can be drawn without lifting the pencil, while discontinuous functions have places where they cannot be evaluated.

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30 views6 pages

Lesson 4 Functions: 1. Basic Concepts

1. A function f is defined by a domain A, a range B, and a rule that assigns each element in A to a unique element in B. Functions can be represented by graphs, statements, tables, or formulas. 2. The domain of a function is the set of inputs, and may be restricted based on context, algebraic expressions, or other reasons. 3. Continuous functions can be drawn without lifting the pencil, while discontinuous functions have places where they cannot be evaluated.

Uploaded by

mercedeslopez
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LESSON 4 FUNCTIONS

The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated
things simple.
S. Gudder

1. BASIC CONCEPTS.
A function f is defined by specifying
a set of numbers A, called the domain of f;
a set of numbers B, called the range of f; The definition does not require every
number in B to be the image of a number in A (though it does require every number in A
to have an image in B).

a rule that associates with each real number x in the set A a unique real number f(x)
in the set B.
The number f(x) is the image of x under f or the value of f at x.
A function is like a machine: it has an input and an output.
And the output is related somehow to the input.

On a graph, the idea of single valued


means that no vertical line would ever
cross more than one value.
If it crosses more than once it is still a
valid curve, but it would not be a
function.

Here are some common terms you should get familiar with:
2. HOW TO REPRESENT FUNCTIONS
By its graph

Is market cheap or expensive?


By a statement
Albert goes out at 8:30. We waits for his friend Iker sitting in a bench and they go on
together, very slowly, to school. When they are next to school, he remembers that he
has forgotten his bag on the bench; he comes back, takes it and arrives at school at 9
o'clock.
By a table
Steam in a boiler was heated to 150 C. Its temperature was then recorded each minute
as follows:
Time (min) 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
Temp (C) 150.0 142.8 138.5 135.2 132.7 130.8

By a formula

4 3
V = r
3

f ( x) = x 2 5 x + 6
3. DOMAIN
Dom(f) or Dom f means "the domain of the function f" , that is the set of elements that
has an image.
The domain of a function is not always every real number. Sometimes the domain is
restricted because of:
-It is impossible to calculate it for every value of x. That happens when:
. we are working with algebraic fractions.
Example:
1
f ( x) =
x+ 3
Dom( f ) = { 3} = ( , 3) U ( 3, )
. the function has a rational expression
Example:

f ( x) = x 2
Dom( f ) = [ 2, )
the context of the statement.
Example: if A = l represents the area of a square, then Dom( f ) = ( 0, ) , because the
2

side of a square must be a positive number.


Other reasons.

4. CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS
Consider the graph of f(x) = x3 6x2 x + 30:

We can see that there are no "gaps" in the curve. Any value of x will give us a
corresponding value of y. We could continue the graph in the negative and positive
directions, and we would never need to take the pencil off the paper.
Such functions are called continuous functions.
Now consider the function .
We note that the curve is not continuous at x = 1.

The graph of a continuous function can be drawn without lifting the pencil from the
paper.
Many functions have discontinuities (i.e. places where they cannot be evaluated.)
5. INCREASING, MAXIMA AND MINIMA
Increasing Functions
A function is "increasing" if the y-value increases as the x-value increases, like this:

It is easy to see that y=f(x) tends to go up as it goes along.


For a function y=f(x):
when x1 < x2 then f(x1) < f(x2)

Decreasing Functions
The y-value decreases as the x-value increases:
For a function y=f(x):
when x1 < x2 then f(x1) > f(x2)
Notice that f(x1) is now larger than f(x2).

Functions can have "hills and valleys": places where they reach a minimum or maximum
value.

We can say that a local maximum is the point where the height of the function at "a" is
greater than (or equal to) the height anywhere else (in one interval).
Likewise, a local minimum is the point where the height of the function at "a" is smaller
than (or equal to) the height anywhere else (in one interval).
Average rate of change
The average rate of change of a function f over an interval [a,b] is the slope of the
secant line connecting the two points:

f ( b) f ( a)
T .V .M .de f en[ a, b] =
b a
6. PERIODIC FUNCTIONS
A function, f(x), is periodic for period T, if it is verified for every integer (z):
f(x) = f(x + zT)

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