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LESSON 10 - Functions

1. A function is a relation where each input has exactly one output. Functions can be represented through mapping diagrams or graphs. 2. The domain of a function is the set of all possible inputs, while the range is the set of all possible outputs. 3. A composite function combines two functions, where the output of the first function is the input to the second function. You evaluate the inner function first before applying the outer function.

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Waleed Zahid
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212 views

LESSON 10 - Functions

1. A function is a relation where each input has exactly one output. Functions can be represented through mapping diagrams or graphs. 2. The domain of a function is the set of all possible inputs, while the range is the set of all possible outputs. 3. A composite function combines two functions, where the output of the first function is the input to the second function. You evaluate the inner function first before applying the outer function.

Uploaded by

Waleed Zahid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LESSON 10 - FUNCTIONS

1. INTRO
A relation is a set of inputs and outputs, often written as ordered pairs (input, output). We can also represent a relation as
a mapping diagram or a graph. For example, the relation can be represented as:

Mapping Diagram of Relation

Lines connect the inputs with their outputs. The relation can also be represented as:

Graph of Relation

Functions

A function is a relation in which each input has only one output.

In the relation , y is a function of x , because for each input x (1, 2, 3, or 0), there is only one output y . x is not a function
of y , because the input y = 3 has multiple outputs: x = 1 and x = 2 .

Examples:
\: y is a function of x , x is a function of y .

: y is not a function of x ( x = 3 has multiple outputs), x is a function of y .

: y is a function of x , x is not a function of y ( y = 9 has multiple outputs).

: y is not a function of x ( x = 1 has multiple outputs), x is not a function of y ( y = 2 has multiple outputs).

The Line Test for Mapping Diagrams

To check if a relation is a function, given a mapping diagram of the relation, use the following criterion: If each input has
only one line connected to it, then the outputs are a function of the inputs.

Example: In the following mapping diagram, y is a function of x , but x is not a function of y :

Line Test

2. Domain

The domain of a relation (or of a function) is the set of all inputs of that relation. For example, the domain of the relation (0,
1),(1, 2),(1, 3),(4, 6) is x=0, 1, 4 . The domain of the following mapping diagram is -2, 3, 4, 10 :

Mapping Diagram

The domain of the following graph is :


3. Range
The range of a relation (or function) is the set of all outputs of that relation. For example, the range of is . The range of the
following mapping diagram is :

Mapping Diagram
The range of the following graph is :
4. Composite Functions

A composite function is a combination of two functions, where you apply the first function and
get an answer, and then fill that answer into the second function.

Let's look at some examples. Here are two simple functions, which we'll label f and g:

f(x) = 2x + 5 g(x) = 3x2

A composite function looks like this: f º g (x)

The small circle in f º g (x) means that it is a composite function of f and g

f º g (x) means f (g(x) ), which tells you to work out g(x) first, and then fill that answer
into f.

Let's find f º g (5)

This means find f (g(5) )

Work out g(5) first.


Since g(x) = 3x2, then g(5) = 3(5)2 = 3(25) = 75

Now findf(75)
f(x) = 2x + 5 so f(75) = 2(75) + 5 = 155

So f º g (5) = 155
Here's another example. Let's use two different functions:

f(x) = 4x2 - 1 g(x) = 3x + 2

The composite function value we want is f( g(2) )

g(2) = 3(2) + 2 = 8
First work out
2
Now work out f(8) = 4(8) - 1 = 4(64) - 1 = 255
So f( g(2) ) = 255

Notice again that you do the inside function first. Then you fill that answer into the outside
function.

It is also possible to work out a simplified version of the composite function, to find a single
expression for f º g (x) that you can use in one step. Here's what we mean: let's use the same
two examples we just worked with ...
f(x) = 4x2 - 1 g(x) = 3x + 2

The composite function value we want is f( g(2) ), but this time we're going to find the
simplified version of f º g (x) .
We'll do this by filling the expression for g(x) into f(x), and simplifying the result.

f( g(x) ) = 4(3x + 2)2 - 1 = 4(9x2 + 12x + 4) - 1 = 36x2 + 48x + 16 - 1


= 36x2 + 48x + 15
2
So f º g (x) = f( g(x) ) = 36x + 48x + 15 (This is the simplified composite
function)
2
So f( g(2) ) = 36(2) +48(2) + 15 = 36(4) + 96 + 15 = 255 (This is the
answer when x is 2)

Let's do one more to make sure you get the idea. Here are two brand new functions:

f(x) = 4x - 3 g(x) = 2x2

We want to find the simplified version of the composite function g º f (x), and then work out
g º f (5).
First, do you notice how this question is different? It's the order of the functions.
If we were doing this question in two steps, we would have to work out f(5) first, and then fill that
answer into g(x).

In this case, since we want the simplified composite function, we'll be filling function f into
function g.
We want to first find g( f(x) ):

g( f(x) ) = 2(4x - 3)2 = 2(16x2 - 24x + 9) = 32x2 - 48x + 18 (This is the


simplified composite function)

g( f(5) ) = 32(5)2 - 48(5) + 18 = 800 - 240 + 18 = 578 (This is the


answer when x is 5)

5. Inverse of a function

The customary method of finding the inverse is some variant of the method I'm going to use
below. Whatever method you use, make sure you do the exact same steps in the exact same
order every time, so you remember those steps when you get to the test.

 Find the inverse of y = 3x – 2.

Here's how the process works:

Here's my original function:

Now I'll try to solve for "x =":

Once I have "x =", I'll switch x and y;


the "y =" is the inverse.

Then the inverse is y = (x + 2) / 3

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