LESSON 1 FUNCTIONS (4 hours)

Learning Competencies: At the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to
1. Represents real-life situations using functions, including piecewise functions.
2. Evaluates a function.
3. Performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition of
functions.
4. Solves problems involving functions.
Definition 1: Relations
A relation is a rule that relates the value from a set of values (called the domain) to a
second set of values (called the range).

The element of the domain can be imagined as input to a machine that applies a rule to
these inputs to generate one or more outputs.

A relation is also a set of ordered pairs ( x , y ).

In this lesson we will revisit the concept of function and relation which shows the
relationship of two quantities.

1.1 BASIC CONCEPTS OF FUNCTIONS

Any of the following sets below is a relation because they consist of ordered pairs.
A={(−2,5),(−1,0) ,(2 ,−3) }
B={(−1,0),(0 ,−3) ,(2 ,−3),(3,0),(4,5) }
C={(3,0), (4,5)}
D={(−2,5),(−1,0) ,(0 ,−3),(1 ,−4) ,(2 ,−3) ,(3,0),(4,5) }

There are of course many more relations that we could form from the list of
ordered pairs above, but we just wanted to list a few possible relations to give some
examples. Note as well that we could also get other ordered pairs from the equation and
add those into any of the relations above if we wanted to.

Now, at this point you are probably asking just why we care about relations and
that is a good question. Some relations are very special and are used at almost all
levels of mathematics. The following definition tells us just which relations are these
special relations.

Definition 2: Functions
A function is a relation where each element in the domain is related to only one value in
 the range by some rule.

The elements of the domain can be imagined as input to a machine that applies a rule
so that each input corresponds to one and only one output.

A function is a set of ordered pairs ( x , y ) such that no two ordered pairs have the same
x−value but different y−values .

Take note, all functions are relations but not all relations are functions. Let us
look at the example below to help us figure this out.

Example 1: Given the relation A below, determine if the relation is a function.

A={(−1, 0)(0 ,−3)(2 ,−3)(3 , 0)(4 ,5) }

Solution: A is a function.

From these ordered pairs we have the following sets of xcomponents (i.e. the
first number from each ordered pair or the xpart) and ycomponents (i.e. the second
number from each ordered pair or the y part). Recall that all relations are ordered pairs
( x , y ).
x components : {−1,0,2,3,4 } y components :{0 ,−3,5 }

For the set of y components, notice that the “−3 ”occurred in two ordered pairs
but we only listed it once.

We can also represent this using a mapping diagram.

x y

−1 0
0
2 −3
3
4 5

To see why this relation is a function simply pick any value from the set of x
components. Now, go back up to the relation and find every ordered pair in which this
number is the xcomponent and list all the ycomponents from those ordered pairs. The
list of y components will consist of exactly one value. ∎

Example 2: Given the relation B, determine if the relation is a function.

B={(6 , 10)(−7 , 3)(0 , 4)(6 ,−4 )}
Solution: B is not a function.

The list of x and y components are as follows:

x components : { 6 ,−7,0 } y components :{10,3,4 ,−4 }

This is not a function because, because the value of x repeats. From the set of x
components let’s choose 6. Now, if we go up to the relation we see that there are two
ordered pairs with 6 as a xcomponent: (6 , 10) and (6 ,−4). The list of y components
associated with 6 is then : 10and −4. ∎

Function as an Equation

A function could also be an equation for which any x can be plugged into the
equation which will yield exactly one y out of the equation.
An example of this would be the equation
y=2 x +3
Usually we equate
y=f (x )
and as such can be written as f (x)=2 x +3.

1.2 FUNCTIONS IN REAL LIFE

Functions can be used to model real life situations and predict the outcome.

Consider this situation, at a given day, the price of a certain gasoline per liter is
Php53. If you were to fill up a car with 15.5 liters of gasoline. How much would it
cost?

Suppose function C ( x) describes the cost. We can say that

C (x)=53 x
is our model function for the gasoline situation above.

Example 3: John wants to buy xamounts of eggs from a wholesale dealer so that he
can sell them with a markup. The dealer prices them with Php 4.50 per egg, and a
fixed delivery fee of Php70. Create a model function that will determine the total
cost should John decides to buyx amount of eggs.

Solution:
 Our goal is to create a model function, so we will

Let x be the amount of eggs priced at Php 4.50 so we have → 4.50 x

The delivery fee will serve as a constant which makes it → 4.50 x +70
Finally, we name our function, in this case we choose E → E( x )

Hence our model function isE( x )=4.50 x +70 . ∎

1.3 PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

Functions are often defined using more than one formula, where each individual formula
describes the function on a subset of the domain.
Definition 3: Piecewise Functions

A piecewise function is a function defined by a multiple of sub-functions, each of which

applies to a different domain.

Piecewise defined functions can take on a variety of forms. Their” pieces” may be all
linear, or a combination of functional forms (such as constant, linear, quadratic, cubic,
square root, cube root, exponential, etc.). Due to this diversity, there is no ”parent
function” for piecewise defined functions.

x if x ≥ 0
Example: f ( x )={−x if x< 0

Example 4: Jeepney fares follows a piecewise function. In

Davao City, the fare is Php 8for the first four
kilometers, and an additional Php1.50 in the
succeding kilometers. Two passengers ride a
jeepney, passenger A covers 3 km in distance while
passenger B covers 6 km. Write a piecewise
function that will model the fare in jeepney.
Solution:
To write a piecewise function model,
Let F (x) be the fare for the jeepney and xthe distance covered in kilometers.

For our first case,

The fare is at fixed price ₱ 8 when distance is less than 4 km, hence
F (x)=8, if x ≤ 4
 For the second case,
The fare is added by Php1.50 for every succeeding km beyond 4 km(x−4 )
on top of the first function, hence
F (x)=8+1.50( x−4), if x >4

Combining the two cases, we get

8 , if x ≤ 4
F (x)=
{
8+1.50 ( x−4) , if x >4
∎

Example 5: The fee to park in the parking lot of a restaurant costs ₱ 55.00
for the first three hours and an extra ₱ 15.00 for each hour (or a
fraction of it) after that. If you park for more than ten hours
within the day, you instead pay a flat rate of ₱ 170.00.
Represent your parking fee using the function p(t) where t is
the number of hours you parked in the restaurant.
Solution:
To write a piecewise function model, let’s take note that p(t) represents the
parking fee wheret is the number of hours. And we have 3 different functions.

For our first case,

The fee is at fixed price ₱ 55.00 when time is from 0 ¿ 3 hrs, hence
p(t)=55 ,if 0<t ≤ 3

For our second case,

The fee is added by ₱ 15.00 for every succeeding hour between 3 ¿ 10 hrs,
hence; p(t)=55+15 ( t−3 ) ,if 3 <t ≤ 10
For the third case,
The fee changes at a flat rate of ₱ 170.00 fee more than 10 hours, hence
p ( t ) =170 ,if t >10

Combining the three cases, we get

55 , if 0<t ≤3
{
p(t)= 55+ 15 ( t−3 ) , if 3<t ≤10 .
170 ,if t >10
∎
1.4 EVALUATING FUNCTIONS
Evaluating a function means finding the value of yor f (x) that corresponds to the
given value of x. To do this, simply replace all the x variables with whatever xhas been
assigned. For example, if we are asked to evaluate f (4 ), thenx has been assigned the
value of 4.

Example 1: Given the function f ( x )=3 x +1, find the value of the output with each given input.
a. x=2
Solution: f ( x )=3 x +1
f ( 2 ) =3 ( 2 )+1 Substitute 2 to x
f ( 2 ) =6+1
f (2)=7
b. x=−1
Solution:f ( x )=3 x +1
f (−1 ) =3 (−1 )+ 1 Substitute −1 to x
f (−1 ) =−3+1
f (−1)=−2
c. x=3 t
Solution: f ( x )=3 x +1
f ( 3 t )=3 ( 3 t ) +1 Substitute 3 t to x
f (3 t)=9t +1 ∎

Example 2: From example 3 in Lesson 1 1.2, suppose John wants to buy 200 pieces of
eggs, what will be the total cost?

Solution:
Using the function previously E( x )=4.50 x +70 , we have:

E( x )=4.50 x +70 Write the original function

E(200)=4.50(200)+70 Substitute x in the function
E(200)=900+70 Simplify
E(200)=970 The total cost therefore is ₱ 970. ∎
Example 3: From example 4 in lesson 1, solve for the fare of passengers A and B.

Solution:

Use the given function, F (x)= {8+1.508(,x−4)

if x ≤ 4
, if x >4

Since passenger A covered only 3 km, we will use the first case of the piecewise
function. F (x)=8 → since it satisfies the condition x ≤ 4
F (3)=8→ passenger A will have a fare of Php 8

Passenger B on the other hand covered 6 km, which means we will have to use the
second case of the piecewise function.

F (x)=8+1.50( x−4)→ since it satisfies the condition x > 4

F (6)=8+1.50 (6−4)¿ → Simplify
F (6)=8+1.50 (2)
F (6)=8+3
F (6)=11→ passenger B will have a fare of Php 11.∎

Example 4: A certain chocolate bar costs ₱ 45.00per piece. However, if you buy
more than 15 pieces, they will be marked down to a price of ₱ 36.00
per piece. Use a piecewise function to represent the cost in
terms of the number of chocolate bars bought. How much will
it cost for 20pieces of chocolate bar?

Solution:
This was the problem from lesson 1, activity 2 and it has a function

defined by: C (n)= {4536n ,nif, if0<nn>15≤ 15,

where n represents the number of chocolate bars and C (n) represents the
cost.
To determine the cost of 20 chocolate bars, we will use the second case

C (n)=36 n → since it satisfies the condition n>15

C (20)=36(20)
C (20)=720 → it cost ₱ 720 for 20 chocolate bars ∎

1.5 OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS

 Functions are composed of variables and constants which have their arithmetic
operations. It would seem natural then that functions should have their own arithmetic
which is consistent to the arithmetic of real numbers. The following definitions allows us
to add, subtract, multiply and divide functions using arithmetic we already know for real
numbers.
Addition of Functions
Supposef and g are functions andx is in both the domain of f and the domain of g. The
sum of f and g, denoted by f +g, is the function defined by the formula
( f + g)( x)=f (x)+ g ( x)

1.5.1 ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF FUNCTIONS

Example 1: Suppose f (x)= x2−3 x + 4 and g( x )=−2 x 2+ 4 x−3,

what is ( f + g)( x)?

Solution:
( f + g)( x)=f (x)+ g ( x)
( f + g)( x)=( x 2−3 x+ 4)+(−2 x 2 +4 x −3)
( f + g)( x)=x 2−2 x 2−3 x+ 4 x +4−3
( f + g )( x )=−x2 + x +1 ∎

Subtraction of Functions
Supposef and g are functions andx is in both the domain of f and the domain of g. The
difference of f and g, denoted by f −g, is the function defined by the formula
( f −g ) ( x )=f ( x )−g(x )

Example 2: Suppose f (x)= x2−3 x + 4 and g( x )=−2 x 2+ 4 x−3,

what is ( f −g)( x)?
Solution:
( f −g ) ( x )=f ( x )−g(x )
( f −g ) ( x )=( x 2−3 x+ 4 )−(−2 x 2 +4 x−3)
f −g ) ( x )=x 2+2 x 2−3 x−4
1.5.2 (MULTIPLICATION ANDx+ 4+3
DIVISION OF FUNCTIONS
2
( f −g ) ( x )=3 x −7 x+7 ∎
Multiplication of Functions
Supposef and g are functions andx is in both the domain of f and the domain of g. The
product of f and g, denoted by f ∙ g, is the function defined by the formula
( f ∙ g ) ( x ) =f ( x ) ∙ g(x)
Example 3: Suppose h ( x )=x 2+ 3and j ( x )=2 x−5, what is (h ∙ j )(x)?

Solution:
(h ∙ j)(x)=h ( x )− j(x)
(h ∙ j)(x)=( x2 +3 ) ∙(2 x−5) substitute corresponding functions
(h ∙ j)( x)=( x2 ∙2 x ) + ( x 2 ∙−5 ) + ( 3 ∙2 x )+ ( 3∙−5 ) apply FOIL METHOD
( h ∙ j ) ( x ) =2 x 3−5 x 2+ 6 x−15 ∎
Division of Functions
Supposef and g are functions andx is in both the domain of f and the domain of g. The
f
quotient of f and g, denoted by , is the function defined by the formula
g
f f ( x)
()
g
( x )=
g (x)

Example 4: Suppose f ( x )=x 2 + x−6 and g ( x )=x+ 3, what is ( fg )(x )?

Solution:

( fg ) ( x )= gf ((x)x)
2

( fg ) ( x )= x +x +3x−6 Substitute corresponding functions

( fg ) ( x )= ( x+ 3)(x +3x−2) Apply factoring, to determine common

factors
f ( x+ 3)( x−2)
() g
( x )=
x +3
Cancel common factors

( fg ) ( x )=x−2 ∎
Type equation here .
1.5.3 COMPOSITION OF FUNCTIONS
Composition of Functions
Supposef and g are functions andx is in both the domain of f and the domain of g. The
composite of f and g, denoted by f ∘ g, is the function defined by the formula
( f ∘ g )( x )=f [ g ( x ) ]

Example 5: Suppose f ( x )=2 x +1and g ( x )=√ x+1, determine if ( f ∘ g )( x ) is the same with
( g ∘ f )( x ) .
Solution:
Solve for ( f ∘ g )( x )

( f ∘ g )( x )=f [ g ( x ) ]
¿ f [ √ x+ 1 ]
Compare ( f ∘ g )( x ) and ( g ∘ f )( x )
?
( f ∘ g )( x )=¿ ( g ∘ f )( x )
?
2 √ x +1+1= √ 2 x+ 2
2 √ x +1+1 ≠ √2 x+ 2

Therefore ( f ∘ g )( x ) and ( g ∘ f )( x ) are not the same. ∎

Summary:
You have learned in this lesson that a relation is a rule that relates
the value from a set of values (called the domain) to a second set of values
(called the range). While a function is a relation where each element in the
domain is related to only one value in the range by some rule. Functions can be
represented as set of ordered pairs, mapping, equation and graphs. And a
piecewise function is a function defined by a multiple of sub-functions, each of
which applies to a different domain.

You have also learned to evaluate function; it is important that you

substitute the given value to all x in the function and simplify the result correctly.
For the given piecewise function, be careful to which case will you substitute the
given value of x by looking at the restriction.

And the basic operations of functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication and

division) including composition of functions was also discussed. It is important to
add common terms when adding and subtracting expressions, to factor
expressions in the numerator or denominator when dividing expressions, to apply
distributive property and foil method when multiplying expressions and to
substitute correctly expressions to another function in composition of functions.