Chapter 2.

Functions
“凡此变数中函彼变数者，则此为彼之函数” ——李善兰

1.Definition of functions
A function is a process or a relation that maps each element x of a set X, the domain of the function, to a single element y of another set Y , the
range of the function. It is usually denoted by letters such as f, g and h.

Domain: The set of input values (independent variable) for a function. When defining a function, it is important to also specify its domain.

Range: The set of output values (dependent variable) for a function.

Tips:

(1) One-to-one function

(2) Many-to-one function

(3) Horizontal Line Test

Many-to-one function One-to-one function

(4) Notations:
Exercise:

e.g.1. Exercise 2A. Question 2

e.g.2. Exercise 2A. Question 11

e.g.3. Exercise 2A. Question 15

2.Basic elementary functions
(1) The constant function 常数函数

(2) The power function 幂函数

(3) The exponential function 指数函数

(4) The logarithmic function 对数函数

(5) The trigonometric function 三⻆函数

(6) The inverse trigonometric function 反三⻆函数

3.Composite functions
(1) Definition of composite function

When one function is followed by another function,the resulting function is called a composite function.

When we combine two functions together,we may get

(2) Three important points

Exercise：

e.g.4. Exercise 2B. Question 4

e.g.5. Exercise 2B. Question 9

e.g.6. Exercise 2B. Question 18

4.Inverse functions and graphs
(1) Definition of inverse functions

(2) Methods to find inverse functions

Method 1: Reverse the operation

Method 2: Make x the subject of the formula

(3) Five important points

(4) Relationship between graphs of function and its inverse

For every point (x,y) on the graph of f(x), there is a corresponding point (y,x) on the graph of its inverse function.

For self-inverse function:

Exercise:

e.g.7. Exercise 2C. Question 8

e.g.8. Exercise 2C.Question 11

e.g.9. Exercise 2D.Question 2

5.Transformations of functions
Definition of Transformation:

Transformations change the size or position of shapes.

(1) Translation

Definition of translation:

A translation is a function that moves every point a constant distance in a specified direction.

Translation only changes the position but does not change the size of shapes.

(i) Horizontal translation:

(ii) Vertical translation:

(iii) Combined translation:

where a is the movement horizontally and b is the movement vertically.

(2) Reflection

Definition of reflection:

Reflection is the mirror image of a function in a specific line(x-axis,y-axis or other lines)

Reflection only changes the position but does not change the size of shapes.

(i) Reflection in the x-axis:

(ii) Reflection in the y-axis:

(iii) Reflection in a specific line:

Reflection in a line is usually combined with the equations of circles.
We'll talk about this part in Chapter 3.
(3) Stretch

Definition of stretch:

Stretching a graph means to make the graph narrower or wider.

Stretch changes the size or shape of the object.

(i) Horizontal stretch

(ii) Vertical stretch

(4) Summary of simple transformations

Equation Description of transformation

a>0 the graph y=f(x) moves a units upwards

y=f(x)+a
a< 0 the graph y=f(x) moves a units downwards

a>0 the graph y=f(x) moves a units right

y = f(x - a)
a<0 the graph y=f(x) moves a units left.

y = af(x) A stretch of the graph y=f(x) with scale factor a parallel to the y-axis

y = f(ax) A stretch of the graph y=f(x) with scale factor 1/a parallel to the x-axis

y = −f(x) Reflection of the graph y=f(x) in the x-axis

y = f(−x) Reflection of the graph y=f(x) in the y-axis

(5) Combined transformations

When two vertical transformations or two horizontal transformations are combined, the order in which they are applied may affect the outcome.
When one horizontal and one vertical transformation are combined, the order in which they are applied does not affect the outcome.

Combining two vertical transformations vs Combining two horizontal transformations

1. Vertical transformations follow the 'normal' order of operations, as used in arithmetic.
2. Horizontal transformations follow the opposite order to the 'normal' order of operations, as used in arithmetic.

More complex problems:

Exercise:

e.g.10. Exercise 2E Question 7

e.g.11. Exercise 2F Question 3(b)

e.g.12. Exercise 2G Question 3(c)&(d)

e.g.13. Exercise 2H Question 10

e.g.14. Exercise 2H Question 11

End-of-Chapter-2