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2.1 Functions and Their Graphs

GOAL 1 REPRESENTING RELATIONS AND FUNCTIONS
What you should learn
GOAL 1 Represent
A relation is a mapping, or pairing, of input values with output values. The set of
relations and functions.
input values is the domain, and the set of output values is the range. A relation is a
GOAL 2 Graph and function provided there is exactly one output for each input. It is not a function if at
evaluate linear functions, as least one input has more than one output.
applied in Exs. 55 and 56.
Relations (and functions) between two quantities can be represented in many ways,
Why you should learn it including mapping diagrams, tables, graphs, equations, and verbal descriptions.

 To model real-life
quantities, such as
the distance a hot air
EXAMPLE 1 Identifying Functions
balloon travels in
Example 6. Identify the domain and range. Then tell whether the relation is a function.
AL LI
FE
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a. Input Output b. Input Output

3 3 3 3
2 1
1 1
1 3
4 4 4 2

SOLUTION
a. The domain consists of º3, 1, and 4, and the range consists of º2, 1, 3, and 4.
The relation is not a function because the input 1 is mapped onto both º2 and 1.
b. The domain consists of º3, 1, 3, and 4, and the range consists of º2, 1, and 3.
The relation is a function because each input in the domain is mapped onto
exactly one output in the range.
..........

A relation can be represented by a set of ordered pairs of the form (x, y). In an
ordered pair the first number is the x-coordinate and the second number is the
y-coordinate. To graph a relation, plot each of its ordered pairs in a coordinate
plane, such as the one shown. A coordinate plane is divided into four quadrants
by the x-axis and the y-axis. The axes intersect at a point called the origin.
y
4
y-axis
Quadrant II 3 Quadrant I
x  0, y  0 2 x  0, y  0
STUDENT HELP
1
x-axis
Study Tip 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 x
Although the origin O is origin
not usually labeled, it is Quadrant III (0, 0) 2 Quadrant IV
understood to be the x  0, y  0 3 x  0, y  0
point (0, 0). 4

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EXAMPLE 2 Graphing Relations

Graph the relations given in Example 1.

STUDENT HELP SOLUTION

Skills Review a. Write the relation as a set of b. Write the relation as a set of
For help with plotting ordered pairs: (º3, 3), (1, º2), ordered pairs: (º3, 3), (1, 1),
points in a coordinate (1, 1), (4, 4). Then plot the (3, 1), (4, º2). Then plot the
plane, see p. 933. points in a coordinate plane. points in a coordinate plane.
y y
(3, 3) (4, 4) (3, 3)

(1, 1) (1, 1) (3, 1)

1 1
1 x 1 x

(1, 2) (4, 2)

..........

In Example 2 notice that the graph of the relation that is not a function (the graph on
the left) has two points that lie on the same vertical line. You can use this property as
a graphical test for functions.

V E RT I C A L L I N E T E S T F O R F U N C T I O N S

A relation is a function if and only if no vertical line intersects the graph of the
relation at more than one point.
FOCUS ON
CAREERS

Variables other than x and y are often used when working with relations in real-life
situations, as shown in the next example.

EXAMPLE 3 Using the Vertical Line Test in Real Life

FORESTRY The graph shows the ages a and

diameters d of several pine trees at Lundbreck Pine Trees
Falls in Canada. Are the diameters of the trees
d
a function of their ages? Explain. 2.0
 Source: National Geographical Data Center
Diameter (meters)

L
AL I
FORESTER 1.6
FE
RE

A forester manages, SOLUTION

1.2
develops, and protects
The diameters of the trees are not a function of
natural resources. To 0.8
measure the diameter their ages because there is at least one vertical
of trees, a forester uses line that intersects the graph at more than one 0.4
a special tool called point. For example, a vertical line intersects the
diameter tape. graph at the points (75, 1.22) and (75, 1.58). 0 a
NE
ER T 0 72 74 76 78
So, at least two trees have the same age but
INT

CAREER LINK
Age (years)
www.mcdougallittell.com different diameters.

68 Chapter 2 Linear Equations and Functions

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GOAL 2 GRAPHING AND EVALUATING FUNCTIONS

Many functions can be represented by an equation in two variables, such as

y = 2x º 7. An ordered pair (x, y) is a solution of such an equation if the equation
is true when the values of x and y are substituted into the equation. For instance,
(2, º3) is a solution of y = 2x º 7 because º3 = 2(2) º 7 is a true statement.
In an equation, the input variable is called the independent variable. The output
variable is called the dependent variable and depends on the value of the input
variable. For the equation y = 2x º 7, the independent variable is x and the
dependent variable is y.
The graph of an equation in two variables is the collection of all points (x, y) whose
coordinates are solutions of the equation.

G R A P H I N G E Q UAT I O N S I N T W O VA R I A B L E S

To graph an equation in two variables, follow these steps:

STEP 1 Construct a table of values.
STEP 2 Graph enough solutions to recognize a pattern.
STEP 3 Connect the points with a line or a curve.

EXAMPLE 4 Graphing a Function

Graph the function y = x + 1.

SOLUTION
1 Begin by constructing a table of values. y

2
Choose x. º2 º1 0 1 2
Evaluate y. º1 0 1 2 3 1 x

2 Plot the points. Notice the five points lie on a line.

3 Draw a line through the points.
..........

The function in Example 4 is a linear function because it is of the form

y = mx + b Linear function

where m and b are constants. The graph of a linear function is a line. By naming a
STUDENT HELP function “ƒ” you can write the function using function notation.
Study Tip ƒ(x) = mx + b Function notation
When you see function
notation ƒ(x), remember The symbol ƒ(x) is read as “the value of ƒ at x,” or simply as “ƒ of x.” Note that ƒ(x)
that it means “the value is another name for y. The domain of a function consists of the values of x for which
of ƒ at x.” It does not the function is defined. The range consists of the values of ƒ(x) where x is in the
mean “ƒ times x.” domain of ƒ. Functions do not have to be represented by the letter ƒ. Other letters
such as g or h can also be used.

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EXAMPLE 5 Evaluating Functions

Decide whether the function is linear. Then evaluate the function when x = º2.
a. ƒ(x) = ºx2 º 3x + 5 b. g(x) = 2x + 6

STUDENT HELP SOLUTION

a. ƒ(x) is not a linear function because it has an x2-term.
NE
ER T
HOMEWORK HELP
INT

Visit our Web site

ƒ(x) = ºx2 º 3x + 5 Write function.
www.mcdougallittell.com
for extra examples. 2
ƒ(º2) = º(º2) º 3(º2) + 5 Substitute º2 for x.

=7 Simplify.

b. g(x) is a linear function because it has the form g(x) = mx + b.

g(x) = 2 x + 6 Write function.

g(º2) = 2(º2) + 6 Substitute º2 for x.

=2 Simplify.
..........

In Example 5 the domain of each function is all real numbers. In real-life problems
the domain is restricted to the numbers that make sense in the real-life context.

EXAMPLE 6 Using a Function in Real Life

BALLOONING In March of 1999, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones attempted to

become the first people to fly around the world in a balloon. Based on an average
speed of 97.8 kilometers per hour, the distance d (in kilometers) that they traveled
can be modeled by d = 97.8t where t is the time (in hours). They traveled a total of
about 478 hours. The rules governing the record state that the minimum distance
covered must be at least 26,700 kilometers.  Source: Breitling
a. Identify the domain and range and determine whether Piccard and Jones set
FOCUS ON the record.
PEOPLE
b. Graph the function. Then use the graph to approximate how long it took them to
travel 20,000 kilometers.

SOLUTION Distance Traveled

a. Because their trip lasted 478 hours, the domain d

is 0 ≤ t ≤ 478. The distance they traveled was 50,000
(478, 46,700)
d = 97.8(478) ≈ 46,700 kilometers, so the range
Distance (km)

is 0 ≤ d ≤ 46,700. Since 46,700 > 26,700, 40,000

L
AL I they did set the record.
PICCARD AND 30,000
FE
RE

JONES are the b. The graph of the function is shown. Note that
first pilots to fly around the 20,000
the graph ends at (478, 46,700). To find how
world in a balloon. Piccard
long it took them to travel 20,000 kilometers, 10,000
is a medical doctor in
Switzerland specializing in start at 20,000 on the d-axis and move right
until you reach the graph. Then move down to 0
psychiatry, and Jones is a 0 200 400 600 t
member of the Royal Air the t-axis. It took them about 200 hours to travel Time (hours)
Force in the United Kingdom. 20,000 kilometers.

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GUIDED PRACTICE
Vocabulary Check ✓ 1. What are the domain and range of a relation? y

Concept Check ✓ 2. Explain why a vertical line, rather than a horizontal line,
1
is used to determine if a graph represents a function.
1 x
3. Explain the process for graphing an equation.
Skill Check ✓ 4. Identify the domain and range of the relation shown.
Then tell whether the relation is a function. Ex. 4
Graph the function.
5. y = x º 1 6. y = 4x 7. y = 2x + 5
8. y = x 9. y = º2x 10. y = ºx + 9

Evaluate the function when x = 3.

11. ƒ(x) = x 12. ƒ(x) = 6x 13. ƒ(x) = x2
14. g(x) = 2x + 7 15. h(x) = ºx2 + 10 16. j(x) = x3 º 7x

HIGHWAY DRIVING In Exercises 17 and 18, use the following information.

A car has a 16 gallon gas tank. On a long highway trip, gas is used at a rate of about
2 gallons per hour. The gallons of gas g in the car’s tank can be modeled by the
equation g = 16 º 2t where t is the time (in hours).
17. Identify the domain and range of the function. Then graph the function.
18. At the end of the trip there are 2 gallons of gas left. How long was the trip?

PRACTICE AND APPLICATIONS

STUDENT HELP DOMAIN AND RANGE Identify the domain and range.
Extra Practice 19. Input Output 20. Input Output 21. Input Output
to help you master 2
2 3 4 1
skills is on p. 941. 3
5 1 3 2
5
1 3 2 3
2
6 1 4 1 4

GRAPHS Graph the relation. Then tell whether the relation is a function.

22. x 0 0 2 2 4 4
STUDENT HELP
y º4 4 º3 3 º1 1
HOMEWORK HELP
Example 1: Exs. 19–27
23. x º5 º4 º3 0 3 4 5
Example 2: Exs. 22–27
Example 3: Exs. 30–32, y º6 º4 º2 º1 º2 º4 º6
51–54
Example 4: Exs. 34–42
Example 5: Exs. 43–50 24. x º2 º2 0 2 2
Example 6: Exs. 55–58
y 1.5 º3.5 0 1.5 º3.5

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MAPPING DIAGRAMS Use a mapping diagram to represent the relation. Then

tell whether the relation is a function.
25. y 26. y 27. y
1
2 x
1 1
1 x 2 x

28. Writing Is a function always a relation? Is a relation always a function?

Explain your reasoning.
STUDENT HELP 29. LOGICAL REASONING Rewrite the vertical line test as two if-then statements.
Skills Review VERTICAL LINE TEST Use the vertical line test to determine whether the
For help with if-then relation is a function.
statements, see p. 926.
30. y 31. y 32. y

1 1 1

1 x 3 x 1 x

33. CRITICAL THINKING Why does y = 3 represent a function, but x = 3 does not?

GRAPHING FUNCTIONS Graph the function.

34. y = x º 3 35. y = ºx + 6 36. y = 2x + 7
37. y = º5x + 1 38. y = 3x º 4 39. y = º2x º 3
2
40. y = 10x 41. y = 5 42. y = ºx + 4
3

EVALUATING FUNCTIONS Decide whether the function is linear. Then

evaluate the function for the given value of x.
43. ƒ(x) = x º 11; ƒ(4) 44. ƒ(x) = 2; ƒ(º4)
45. ƒ(x) = |x| º 5; ƒ(º6) 46. ƒ(x) = 9x3 º x2 + 2; ƒ(2)
2
47. ƒ(x) = ºx2 º x + 5; ƒ(6)
3
1
48. ƒ(x) = º3 + 4x; ƒ º
2  
49. GEOMETRY The volume of a cube with side length s is given by
CONNECTION
3
the function V(s) = s . Find V(5). Explain what V(5) represents.
50. GEOMETRY CONNECTION The volume of a sphere with radius r is given by the
4
function V(r) = πr 3. Find V(2). Explain what V(2) represents.
3
51. BOSTON MARATHON The graph 100th Boston Marathon
shows the ages and finishing places of
p
the top three competitors in each of the 3
Place

four categories of the 100th Boston 2

Marathon. Is the finishing place of a 1
competitor a function of his or her age? 0 22 26 30 34 38 a
Explain your reasoning. Age
 Source: Boston Athletic Association

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52. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES House of Representatives

The graph shows the number of
r

Independents
Independent representatives for the
2
100th–105th Congresses. Is the
1
number of Independent representatives
a function of the Congress number? 0
0 100 101 102 103 104 105 c
Explain your reasoning. Congress
 Source: The Office of the Clerk, United States
House of Representatives

STATISTICS CONNECTION In Exercises 53 and 54, use the table which shows the
number of shots attempted and the number of shots made by 9 members of
the Utah Jazz basketball team in Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals.  Source: NBA

Player Shots attempted, x Shots made, y

Bryon Russell 12 6
Karl Malone 25 9
Greg Foster 5 1
Jeff Hornacek 10 2
John Stockton 12 9
Howard Eisley 6 4
Chris Morris 6 3
Greg Ostertag 1 1
Shandon Anderson 5 3

53. Identify the domain and range of the relation. Then graph the relation.
54. Is the relation a function? Explain.
FOCUS ON
APPLICATIONS
WATER PRESSURE In Exercises 55 and 56, use the information below and
in the caption to the photo.
Water pressure can be measured in atmospheres, where 1 atmosphere equals
14.7 pounds per square inch. At sea level the water pressure is 1 atmosphere, and it
increases by 1 atmosphere for every 33 feet in depth. Therefore, the water pressure p
can be modeled as a function of the depth d by this equation:
1
p = d + 1, 0 ≤ d ≤ 130
33
55. Identify the domain and range of the function. Then graph the function.
56. What is the water pressure at a depth of 100 feet?
CAP SIZES In Exercises 57 and 58, use the following information.
L
Your cap size is based on your head circumference (in inches). For head
AL I
WATER
FE

7
RE

PRESSURE circumferences from 20  inches to 25 inches, cap size s can be modeled as a

8
Scuba divers must equalize function of head circumference c by this equation:
the pressure on the inside of
their bodies with the water cº1
s = 
pressure on the outside of 3
their bodies. The maximum 57. Identify the domain and range of the function. Then graph the function.
safe depth for recreational
divers is 130 feet. 58. If you wear a size 7 cap, what is your head circumference?

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Test QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON In Exercises 59–62, choose the statement that

is true about the given quantities.
Preparation
¡
A The quantity in column A is greater.
¡
B The quantity in column B is greater.
¡
C The two quantities are equal.
¡
D The relationship cannot be determined from the given information.

Column A Column B

59. ƒ(x) = 3x + 10 when x = 0 ƒ(x) = 2x º 4 when x = 7

60. ƒ(x) = x2 º 4x º 11 when x = 6 ƒ(x) = x2 º 3x + 5 when x = 4
61. ƒ(x) = x3 º 7x + 1 when x = º3 ƒ(x) = ºx3 º 4 when x = 2
3 1
62. ƒ(x) = 2x + 8 when x =  ƒ(x) = º8x + 9 when x = º
2 4

★ Challenge 63. TELEPHONE KEYPADS For the numbers

2 through 9 on a telephone keypad, draw two
mapping diagrams: one mapping numbers onto
EXTRA CHALLENGE
letters, and the other mapping letters onto numbers.
www.mcdougallittell.com Are both relations functions? Explain.

MIXED REVIEW
EVALUATING EXPRESSIONS Evaluate the expression for the given values of
x and y. (Review 1.2 for 2.2)
yº6 y º 11
64.  when x = º3 and y = º2 65.  when x = º4 and y = 5
xº9 xº2
y º (º5) y º (º1)
66.  when x = 2 and y = 5 67.  when x = 6 and y = 4
xº3 x º (º4)
4ºy 10 º y
68.  when x = 2 and y = 3 69.  when x = 6 and y = 8
1ºx 14 º x

SOLVING EQUATIONS Solve the equation. Check your solution. (Review 1.3)
70. 2x + 13 = 31 71. º2.4x + 11.8 = 29.8
5
72. x + 17 = 10 º 3x 73.  º 7x = 40 + x
2
1
74. º(x º 15) = º48 75. 6x + 5 = 0.5(x + 6) º 4
3

CHECKING SOLUTIONS Decide whether the given number is a solution of the

inequality. (Review 1.6)
1
76. 3x º 4 < 10; 5 77. x º 8 ≤ 0; 16
2
78. 10 º x ≥ 6; 2 79. 3 + 2x > º5; º2

3
80. º5 ≤ x + 8 < 15;  81. x º 2.7 < º1 or 3x > 6.9; 2.5
2

74 Chapter 2 Linear Equations and Functions