Relations The Symbol f(x)

 A relation is a set of pairs on input and output values.  For any element x in the domain of the function f, the symbol f(x)
There are four ways to represent relations: (read as “f of x”, “f at x”, or “the value of f at x”) represents the
element in the range of f corresponding to x in the domain of f.
This symbol does not represent the product of f and x.
 If x is an input value, then f(x) is the corresponding output value.

 The domain of a relation is the set of inputs, also called the x-

Agreement on Domains and Ranges
coordinates, of the ordered pairs.
 If a function is specified by an equation and the domain is not
 The range is the set of outputs, also called the y-coordinates, of the
indicated, then we assume that the domain is the set of all real
ordered pairs.
number replacements of the independent variable (inputs) that
Functions
produce real values for the dependent variable (outputs).
 A function is a relation in which each element of the domain
 The range is the set of all outputs corresponding to input values.
corresponds to exactly one element of the range.
 If x is an element that is not in the domain of f, then f is not defined
 When using a mapping diagram to represent a relation, a function
at x and f(x) does not exist.
has only one arrow from each element of the domain.
Function evaluation and finding its domain:
 The vertical line test is used to test whether a graph represents a 12
function. It states that if any vertical line passes through more than 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−2
one point on the graph of a relation, then the relation is not a 𝑔(𝑥) = 1 − 𝑥 2
function. ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 1
Functions Defined by Equations In addition to evaluating functions at specific numbers, it is important to be
 The equation is a rule that assigns each domain value x able to evaluate functions at expressions that involve one or more variables.
(independent variable) a range value y (dependent variable).
 If an equation in two variables, we get exactly one output (value for
the dependent variable) for each input (value for the independent
variable), then the equation defines a function.
If we get more than one output for a given input, the equation does
not define a function.
 A function rule is an equation of the function that represents an
output value in terms of an input value.
We write a function rule in function notation.
Types of Functions 5. the composite function, denoted by f  g , is defined by
 The function f ( x)  c , where c is any real number, is called a ( f  g )( x)  f ( g ( x))
constant function.
 A linear function is defined by f ( x)  mx  b , where m and b are
real numbers and m  0 . The linear function f ( x)  x is called
the identity function.
 If a function f is defined by
f ( x)  an x n  an1 x n1  ...  a2 x 2  a1x  a0 where
an , an 1 ,..., a2 , a1 , a0 are real numbers ( an  0 ) and n is
nonnegative, then f is called a polynomial function of degree n.
Thus a linear function is a polynomial function of degree 1. If the
degree is 2, it is called a quadratic function, and if the degree is 3, it
is called a cubic function.
 A function that can be expressed as the quotient of two polynomial
functions is called a rational function.
Functions are classified into two, namely the algebraic functions and
transcendental functions.
 An algebraic function is one formed by a finite number of algebraic
operations on the identity function and a constant function. These
algebraic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, raising to powers, and extracting roots.
 Transcendental functions are those which are not algebraic,
examples of which are the trigonometric, inverse trigonometric,
exponential and logarithmic functions.
Operations on Functions
Given two functions f and g,
1. their sum, denoted by f + g, is the function defined by
( f  g )( x)  f ( x)  g ( x)
2. their difference, denoted by f – g, is the function defined by
( f  g )( x)  f ( x)  g ( x)
3. their product, denoted by fg, is the function defined by
( fg )( x)  f ( x) g ( x)
4. their quotient, denoted by f/g, is the function defined by
( f / g )( x)  f ( x) / g ( x)