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Function: Edexcel IAL A Level Pure Mathematics 3 Revision Notes

The document provides an overview of functions and related concepts for A-Level Pure Mathematics. It defines what mappings and functions are, and distinguishes between them. It discusses notation for functions, sets of numbers, domains and ranges of functions, and composite and inverse functions. It also covers modulus functions, including how to sketch their graphs and solve equations involving them. The key topics are explained through definitions and examples.

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Prince Yug
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736 views

Function: Edexcel IAL A Level Pure Mathematics 3 Revision Notes

The document provides an overview of functions and related concepts for A-Level Pure Mathematics. It defines what mappings and functions are, and distinguishes between them. It discusses notation for functions, sets of numbers, domains and ranges of functions, and composite and inverse functions. It also covers modulus functions, including how to sketch their graphs and solve equations involving them. The key topics are explained through definitions and examples.

Uploaded by

Prince Yug
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Edexcel IAL A Level Pure Mathematics 3

Revision Notes

Function

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3.1 Language of Functions
Language of functions

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What are mappings?

 A mapping takes an ‘input’ from one set of values to an ‘output’ in another

 Mappings can be
o ‘many-to-one’ (many ‘input’ values go to one ‘output’ value)
o ‘one-to-many’
o ‘many-to-many’
o ‘one-to-one’

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What is the difference between a mapping and a function?

 A function is a mapping where every ‘input’ value maps to a single ‘output’


 Many-to-one and one-to-one mappings are functions
 Mappings which have many possible outputs are not functions

Notation

 f(x), g(x), etc
eg. f(x) = x2 – 3x + 2
 Alternative notation
eg. f : x ↦ x2 – 3x + 2

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Sets of numbers

 All numbers can be organised into different sets ℕ, ℤ, ℚ, ℝ

 So ℕ is a subset of ℤ etc
 ℤ– would be the set of negative integers only

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Domain

 The domain of a function is the set of values that are allowed to be the ‘input’
 A function is only fully defined once its domain has been stated
 Restrictions on a domain can turn many-to-one functions into one-to-one functions

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Range

 The range of a function is the set of values of all possible ‘outputs’


 The type of values in the range depend on the domain

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Composite and inverse functions

 Composite functions
o fg(x) = f[g(x)]
o This means “f of g(x)” – so g(x) first, then f

 Inverse functions
o f-1(x)
o The inverse of a function only exists if the function is one-to-one

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Worked Example

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3.2 Composite Functions
Composite functions

 Composite functions refers to one function being applied after another


 The ‘output’ of one function will be the ‘input’ of the next one
 Sometimes called function-of-a-function

How do I work with composite functions

 Recognise the notation
o fg(x) means “f of g of x”
o Start with x, do g of it …
o … then do f of that

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Special cases

 fg(x) and gf(x) are generally different but can sometimes be the same


 ff(x) is written as f2(x)
 Inverse functions ff-1(x) = f-1f(x) = x

Exam Tip

Domain and range are important.

In fg(x), the ‘output’ (range) of g must be in the domain of f(x), so fg(x) could exist, but gf(x) may not
(or not for some values of x).

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Worked Example

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3.3 Inverse Functions
Inverse functions

 An inverse function is the opposite to the original function


 It is denoted by f-1(x)
 An inverse only exists for one-to-one functions

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Graphs of inverse functions

 The graphs of a function and its inverse are reflections in the line y = x

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Domain and range of inverse functions

 The range of a function will be the domain of its inverse function


 The domain of a function will be the range of its inverse function

How do I work out an inverse function?

 Set y = f(x) and make x the subject


 Then rewrite in function notation
 Domain is needed to fully define a function
 The range of f is the domain of f-1 (and vice versa)

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… and finally …

 A function (f) followed by its inverse (f-1) will return the input (x)
 ff-1(x) = f-1f(x) = x (for all values of x)

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Worked Example

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3.4 Modulus Functions - Sketching Graphs
Modulus functions

 The modulus function makes any ‘input’ positive
 |x| = x   if x ≥ 0   |f(x)| = f(x)   if f(x) ≥ 0
 |x| = -x if x < 0   |f(x)| = -f(x)   if f(x) < 0
 Sometimes called absolute value

How do I sketch the graph of a modulus function?

STEP 1        Pencil in the graph of y = f(x)

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STEP 2        Reflect anything below the x-axis, in the x-axis, to get y = |f(x)|

How do I use the graph of a modulus function?

 From the graph above


o f(x) = k has one solution
o |f(x)| = k has four solutions
 Use the graph to deduce the number of intersections/solutions

What is the difference between y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|)?

 There is a difference between y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|)


 Only y = |f(x)| is studied at A level
 Both may get mentioned in books, websites, etc

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Worked Example

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3.5 Modulus Functions - Solving Equations
Modulus functions

 The modulus function makes any ‘input’ positive
 |x| = x   if x ≥ 0   |f(x)| = f(x)   if f(x) ≥ 0
 |x| = -x if x < 0   |f(x)| = -f(x)   if f(x) < 0
 Sometimes called absolute value

Modulus graphs and equations

 Two non-parallel straight-line graphs would intersect once


 If modulus involved there could be more than one intersection
 Deducing where these intersections are is crucial to solving equations
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How do I solve modulus equations?

STEP 1        Sketch the graphs including any modulus (reflected) parts

(see Modulus Functions – Sketching Graphs)

STEP 2        Locate the graph intersections

STEP 3        Solve the appropriate equation(s) or inequality


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Worked Example

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