CC

FUNCTIONS

DEFINITION 3.1.1

Denoted by f: A → B and read as “f is a function of A into B” which means that ∀ x

∈ A , ∃ a unique y ∈ B such that y = f(x). Furthermore, if y = f(x), it means that y is

the image of x and x is the pre – image of y.

DOMAIN OF f = A
= { x│y = f(x) for some y ∈ B }
= the set of all pre – images.

ILLUSTRATION:

f
A B
a 1
e 2
i 3
o 4
5

Range of f = { 1, 2, 3, 5 }

Co – Domain of f = {1,2,3,4,5}

Domain of f = { a, e, I, o }

f(a) = 1
f(e) = 5
f(i) = 3
f(o) = 2
 PROPERTIES OF FUNCTION:

A function f: A → B has the following properties:

1. ∀ x ∈ A (read as for all x in A), ∃ y ∈ B such that y = f(x).

Every x in A has an image in B.
2. if y1 = f(x1) and y2 = f(x2), then y1 = y2.
The image of x is unique.

DEFINITION 3.1.2

A function f: A → B is said to be ONE – TO – ONE FUNCTION

(INJECTIVE) iff this condition is satisfied.
i) if f(x1) = f(x2), then x1 = x2.
ii) contrapositive: if x1≠ x2, then f(x1) ≠ f(x2).

ILLUSTRATION:

A B

a 1
2
b 3

To show that f is injective:

Let x1, x2∈Df.

Assume f(x1) = f(x2)

}arguments

Show that x1 = x2.

 APPLICATION

1. Show that f: x → y where y = mx + b is a 1 – 1 function.

Proof:
Let x1, x2∈Df.
ASSUME: f(x1) = f(x2), then

mx1 + b = mx2 + b

m x1 m x2
m
= m

X 1 = x2.

Therefore, f: x → y is a 1-1 function.

2. Show that f: A→ B is not 1 – 1 function.

ILLUSTRATION:
f
A B Proof:
f(a) = 4
a 1 f( e) = 2
e 2 f(i) = 1
i 3
f(o) = 4
o 4
f(a) = f(o) = 4, but a≠ o, thus, f is not a 1-1 function.

3. Show that f(x) = x2, x≥0 is a 1-1 function.

Proof: Let x1, x2∈ [ 0, +∞ ].

Assume f(x1) = f(x2), then

2 2
x 1=x 2
X1 = ± √ x 2
2

X 1 = ± x2
X1 = x2 since x1, x2≥ 0.
Therefore, f(x) = x2, x ≥ 0 is a 1-1 function ∎
 DEFINITION:

A function f: A → B is said to be an ONTO FUNCTION (SURJECTIVE) if ∀

y ∈ B , ∃ x ∈ A such that y = f(x). That is, every element in set B has a pre-images.

⇛ f is onto iff:

i) co-domain (B) ⊆ Range of f

ii) Range of f = co domain of f.

ILLUSTRATION:
f

A B

a 1
b 2
c 3
d 4
e

APPLICATION

Given: f: R -1∪ {0}→ R +∪{0}

X → x2

Is f onto?

Proof: The coDf= [0, + ∞ ].

Solving for x in terms of y to find Rf, then

Y = x2
X = ±√ y
X = √ y since coDf = [0, + ∞ ]. Thus, x is defined for all values of y ≥ 0,
therefore Rf = [0, +∞ ].
Thus, f is onto since Rf = coDf ∎

DEFINITION:
 A function f: A → B is said to be BIJECTIVE FUNCTION iff:
i) both 1-1 function and onto
ii) A and B have the same number of elements
iii) has a 1-1 correspondence.
ILLUSTRATION:

A B

a 1

B 2
Example
c 3

APPLICATION

1) Let f: R - {1} → R - {0}

1
X → x−1

a) Is f 1-1?

Proof: Let x1, x2∈Df = R - {1}

Assume f(x1) = f(x2) , then
1
1
x1−¿1 = ¿
x 2−1
X 2 – 1 = x1 – 1
X 2 = x1.
Therefore, f is 1-1.
b) Is f onto?
Proof: The CoDf = R - {0}.
Solving for x in terms of y to find Rf, then we have
1
Y = x−1
Y(x -1 ) = 1
Xy – y = 1
Xy = y + 1
 y+ 1
X= y , thus x is defined for all values of y except y = 0.
Hence Rf = R- {0}. Therefore, since CoDf = Rf = R - {0}, then f is onto.

c) Is f bijective?

Proof: Since f is 1-1 and onto then f is bijective ∎

QUESTIONS: (ORAL RECITATION)

1. How does bijective function differ from injective function?

Surjective function?

2. When can you say that a function is injective? Surjective? Bijective?

3. How do you prove that a function is injective?

EXAMPLES OF FUNCTIONS

1) IDENTITY FUNCTIONS:

Def’n: IA: A→ A given by IA(x) = x, ∀ x ∈A.

⇛ I(x) = x

Y=x

IS IA(x) = x, 1 – 1? ONTO? BIJECTIVE?

2) CONSTANT FUNCTION:

f: A→ B given by f(x) = b, ∀ x ∈ A , where b is a constant, then ⇛ y = b.

f
A B

a 1
a) f is not 1-1 since f(a) = f(b) = b, but a ≠ b.
b 2
c 3 b) f is not onto since there are elements in B, say 1 & 3

which do not have PRE-IMAGES.

  A constant function is 1-1 if the domain contains 1 element (singleton )

f
A B

1
b 2
3

3. EQUAL FUNCTION:

If f and g are functions defined in the same domain D, and if f(a) = g(a),
∀ a ∈ D , then the functions f and g are equal, denoted by f = g.

Example:

a) Let f: R → R and g: R → R where f(x ) = x2 and g(y) = y2

⇒f = g

b) Let f, g, h be denoted by

f(x) = x3 , 0 ≤ x≤1
g(x) = y3 , 2 ≤ y≤8
h(z) = z3 , Z ∈R

DO THE FUNCTIONS EQUAL?

4. CHARACTERISTIC FUNCTION:

Let A be a set and B⊆ A. The characteristic function is given by

{0 if x ∈ B
C B (x) = 1if x ∉ B

Example: CB : R →Q defined by

{ 0 if x is rational
CB (x) = 1if x isirrational
If B = { 2, √ 2, -3, π , 0 } , then

i) CB (2) = 0
ii) CB ( √ 2 ) = 1
 iii) CB ( π ) = ?

IV) CB ( 0 ) = ?

5. PRODUCT FUNCTION:

Let f: A →B
g: B → C , then the product function (composition function ) of f and g
denoted by g o f or g(f) is the function g o f: A → C denoted by (g o f)(a) = g [ f(a)

ILLUSTRATION:
f g

A B C

a b c

gof
(g o f)(a) = g [f(a) ]
(g of)(a) = g (b )
(g o f)(a) = c

1) Given: f: A → B and g : B → C

f g 1) (g o f ) (a) = g[f(a)] = g(y) = n

A B C 2) (g o f) (b) = g [f(b)] = g(z) = 0
a X
3) (g o f) (c) = 4) Rg o f =?
Y m
b z n

gof

ASSESSMENT (PROBLEM SET)

 WRITE YOUR ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS IN
AWHOLE SHEET OF BOND PAPER.
1. Define function, injective, surjective and bijective
function.
2. Let f : [1, + ∞ ) → ( - ∞ , o]
X → - √ x−1
Is f bijective ? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWER and discuss its properties.

3. Prove: If f: A → B is onto and g : B →C is onto, then (g o f ) : A → C is onto.

4. Prove: If f: A → B is 1-1 and g : B →C is 1-1, then (g o f ) : A → C is 1-1.

5. Discuss the different types of function.

6. Define f(x) = x2; g(x) = x + 3, where Df , Dg = R.
Find the following:

a) (g o f)(2) = g[f(2)] = g[ (22)] = g(4) = 4 + 3 = 7.

b) (f o g)(2) = f[g(2)] = f(5) = 25
c) general formula for g o f = g [ f(x) ] = g[x2] = x2 + 3
d) general formula for f o g = f [g(x) ] = f (x + 3) = (x + 3) 2

2) Define f(x) = x2; g(x) = x + 3, where Df , Dg = R .

Find the following:

a) (g o f)(2) = g[f(2)] = g[ (22)] = g(4) = 4 + 3 = 7.
b) (f o g)(2) = f[g(2)] = f(5) = 25
c) general formula for g o f = g [ f(x) ] = g[x 2] = x2 + 3
d) general formula for f o g = f [g(x) ] = f (x + 3) = (x + 3) 2

THEOREM:Let f : A → B
g:B→ C
h : C → D , then
(h o g) o f = h o (g o f), hence we can write h o g o f: A → D

Proof:To show (h o g ) o f = h o (g o f) , i. e ∀ x ∈ A,
[ (h o g) o f ] (x) = [h o ( g o f) ] (x)
= [h 0 g] f(x)
= h[ g ( f(x) )]
= h [ (g o f ) (x) ]
= [ h o (g o f)](x) , ∀ x ∈ A.
Therefore, (h o g ) o f = h o ( g o f ), meaning the composition function is associative.

6. INVERSE FUNCTION
Def’n:
Let f be a function A into B and let b ∈ B. Then the inverse of b, denoted by f -1 (b) consists of those elements
in A which have b as their image. Briefly, if f : A → B, then

f -1 (b) = { x : x ∈ A and f(x) = b }

Examples:

1) f

A B

T a 1 Then, find the following:

2
b a) f -1 ( 1 ) = {a}
3
c 4 b) f -1 ( 2 ) = { }
1
c) f -1 ( 3 ) = { c}

c) f -1 ( 4 ) = { b }

d) R f −1
( 1, 2, 3, 4) = {a, b, c}

2.

A B

Then find the following:

a 1 a. f -1 (3) = {a, b, c} = A.
2
b
3
c 4
1
Def’n:

Let f: A → B and let D be a subset of B. Then, the inverse of D, denoted by f -1 (D), consists of those element in A
which are mapped onto some element in D. Briefly,

f-1 (D) = { x: x ∈ A and f(x) = D }

Example:

A B Find:
-1
a) f {y,z} = { a, b, c}
a x -1
b) f (y,z,w) = {a,b,c,d} = A
b y c) f -1 {x, y, z, w} = { a, b, c, d} = A
c z
d w
1

Def’n: The inverse of the function exists iff:

i) the function is 1-1

ii) the function is onto

THEOREM:

Let f : A → B and g : B → C be functions and let it be a subset of C. Then we have

(g o f ) -1 (H) = f -1 ( g -1 (H)).

(g o f ) -1

Illustration:

f g

● f -1(g -1 (h)) ● g -1 (h)

●h

f -1 g -1

gof
 Problem set No. 1 . Write all your answers and necessary solutions in a short bond paper.
Due date: (scheduled scheme)

1. Let f : [1, + ∞ ) → ( - ∞ , o]

X → - √ x−1

Is f bijective ?

2. Prove: If f: A → B is onto and g : B →C is onto, then (g o f ) : A → C is onto.

3. Prove: If f: A → B is 1-1 and g : B →C is 1-1, then (g o f ) : A → C is 1-1.

x
4. Show that the function f defined by f(x) = , x ∈ R is a bijection of R onto { -1 < y < 1 }.
√ x 2 +1
Find the following:

5. f g 1) (g o f ) (x)
A B C 2) (g o f) (y)

3) (g o f) (z)
x a 1
y b 2 4) Rg o f =
z c 3
w d 4

gof

6. Define f(x) = √ x 2−5 ; g(x) = x2 – 3 , where Df , Dg = R .

Find the following:

6.1) general formula for g o f

6.2) general formula for f o g

6.3) (g o f) (3)

6.4) (f o g )(6)

7. ) f
 A B

T a 1 Then, find the following:

b 2
a) f -1 ( 1 )
c 3
b) f -1 ( 2 )
4
d c) f -1 ( 4 )
1
d) R f −1
( 1, 2, 3, 4)

e) f -1 (1, 2, 3, 4)

THE DOMAIN OF A LOCUS

The domain of a relation is the set of all first components of the points in the relation.
When the domain of the locus of an equation is known, the appropriate points to use in
sketching the graph can easily be chosen.

The Domain of a locus

Step 1. Solve the given equation for y in terms of x.
Step 2. Determine those values of x for which the resulting expression in x has meaning.
Note: A value of x which will not give meaning to the resulting expression in x
may still yield a value of y
when substituted in the given equation.
Step 3. Among the values of x obtained in step 2, choose the ones that are suitable to the
given equation. These values
Constitute the domain of the locus of the given equation.

Example: 1) Find the domain of the relation defined by the equation xy + 1 = x.

x−1
Solution: y= x

D = R ∖ {0}.

2) x(y2 – 4) = 2y

Solution:

Xy2 -4x = 2y

Xy2 – 2y - 4x = 0. Observe that this is a quadratic equation.

Letting a = x, b = -2, c = -4x and using the quadratic formula

2± √ 4−4 ( x )(−4 x ) 2± √ 4+ 16 x2
Y= = ; x ≠ 0.
2x 2x

Since 4 + 16x2 > 0 for all real number x, it follows that √ 4 +16 x 2 is a real number. Although the
equation (Q.E) does not hold for x = 0, the original equation yields y = 0 when x = 0. This means
that the point (0,0) is in the locus of the given equation. Hence, x = 0 is in the domain of the
locus. Therefore the domain of the given relation is the set of all real numbers, that is D = R .
3) y(x2 – 4) = 1.
1
Y= 2
x −4

D = R ∖ {−2,2}

4) y = √ x 2−9

X2 -9 ≥ 0

(x-3)(x +3) ≥ 0

D = (−∞ , -3] ∪ [3,+ ∞ )

The Range of the Locus

Step 1. Solve the given equation for x in terms of y.
Step 2. Determine those values of y for which the resulting expression in y has meaning.
Note: A value of y which will not give meaning to the resulting expression in y
may still yield a value of x
when substituted in the given equation.
Step 3. Among the values of y obtained in step 2, choose the ones that are suitable to the
given equation. These values
Constitute the range of the locus of the given equation.

Examples: Find the range of each of the following relations:

1) xy + 1 = x

Solution: xy – x = -1

X(y – 1) = -1
−1
X = y−1

R = R ∖ {1}

2) y = - √ x

Solution: x = y2

R = (- ∞ , 0]

3) y(x2 -4) = 1

X2y – 4y = 1

X2y = 4y + 1
4 y +1
X2 = y
 √
X = ± 4 y +1
y

4 y +1
≥0
y

Y≥0

4y ≥ -1
−1
Y≥ 4

Intervals Test Sign of Sign Sign of decision

nos. 4y + 1 of y 4 y +1
y
1 -5 - - + solution
( - ∞, - 4 )
1 -1/5 + - - Not a sol’n.
[- 4 , 0]
[0, + ∞ ) 10 + + + solution

1
Therefore, R = (- ∞ , - 4 ] ∪ (0, + ∞ )

INTERCEPTS
The graph at which the graph of the equation crosses the x-axis or y-axis is called an x-intercept or y – intercept
respectively.

Step 1. To find the x – intercepts, set y = 0 in the given equation and determine the value(s) of x.
Step 2. To find the y –intercepts, set x = 0 in the given equation and determine the values(s) of y.
Example: Find the intercepts of then locus of the equation xy + 1 = x.

Setting y = 0, , we get x = 1 ⟹ (1,0) , x intercept

X = 0 , we get 1=0 which is a false statement. Therefore the graph of the equation has no y – intercept.

TEST FOR SYMMETRY

Step 1. Replace y by – y in the given equation. If the resulting equation is equivalent to the original equation, then the
graph of the equation is symmetric with respect to the x-axis.
Step 2. Replace x by – x in the given equation. If the resulting equation is equivalent to the original equation, then the
graph of the equation is symmetric with respect to the y-axis.
Step 3. Replace y by – y and x by –x in the given equation. If the resulting equation is equivalent to the original
equation,
then the graph of the equation is symmetric with respect to the origin.

Example: Test the graph of the equation xy + 1 = x for possible symmetries.

Solution:

a) Replacing y by –y in the equation yields x(-y) + 1 = x or –xy + 1 = x. Therefore the graph is not symmetric wrt
the x-axis.

b) Replacing x by –x in the equation yields (-x)y + 1 = -x. Therefore the graph is not symmetric wrt the y – axis.

c) Replacing x by –x and y by –y in the equation yields (-x)(-y) + 1 = -x or xy + 1 = -x. Therefore the graph is not symmetric
wrt the origin.
THE ASYMPTOTES

A line x = k (k is a constant) is a vertical asymptote to the graph of an equation if the distance between the
graph of the equation and this line gets closer and closer to zero (that is, the graph or a portion of the graph of the
equation gets closer and closer to this line) as the graph either becomes higher and higher or lower and lower. A line y =
k is a horizontal asymptote to the graph of an equation if the distance between the graph of the equation and this line
gets closer and closer to zero (that is the graph or a portion of a graph of the equation gets closer and closer to yhis line)
as the value of x either increases or decreases without bound.

VERTICAL ASYMPTOTE
Step. 1. Solve the given equation for y in terms of x.
Step 2. In the resulting expression involving x, find all those values of x for which the denominator is zero and the
numerator is not. If k is one such value, then x = k is a vertical asymptote.

HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTE
Step. 1. Solve the given equation for x in terms of y.
Step 2. In the resulting expression involving y, find all those values of y for which the denominator is zero and the
numerator is not. If k is one such value, then y = k is a vertical asymptote.

Example: Find the vertical and horizontal asymptotes, if any, to the graph of the equation xy + 1 = x.

Solving the equation:

x−1
Y= ; the denominator is zero when x = 0. Therefore, x = 0 is the vertical
x
asymptote.`

Xy –x = -1

X(y-1) = -1

−1
X=
y−1

y- 1 = 0

y = 1 is the horizontal asymptote.

X -4 -3 -2 -1 1/2 1 2 3
y 5/4 4/3 3/2 2 -1 0 1/2 2/3

y
 Y=1

EXERCISES:

1. Find the domain, range, intercepts, symmetries, and asymptotes of the locus of the equation of each of the following
relations. Give a sketch of the graph.

a) y(x2 -4) =1

b) xy + y = x

c) 2xy – 1 = x

d) x2y = 4