MODULE 2 – EVALUATING FUNCTIONS

Introduction:
Function notation is the way a function is written. It is meant to be a precise way of giving
Information about a function without a rather lengthy written explanation. The most popular
function notation is f(x) which is read “f of x”.
For example, function notation for quadratic equation is f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, for constants a, b
and c. If a=2, b=3 and c=1, the equation becomes f(x) = 2x2 + 3x + 1. This function can be
evaluated for all values of x. If x=1, f(1)=6. Similarly, f(4) = 45. Function notation can be used to
generate points on a graph or find the value of the function for a specific value of x. It is
convenient, shorthand way to study what a function’s values are for different values of the
independent variable x.

Objectives:
At the end of the module, you would be able to:
1. to illustrate functional relationships
2. to evaluate functions
3. to find the value of the function y for a specific value of x

Instructions to the Users

Welcome to this module on evaluating functions , one of the first lessons intended for

students of Differential Calculus like you.😊. You will be asked to first answer the pre-test without

using any reference. Right after the pre-test, you will find the answers to the items you solved on

the next page. YOU NEED NOT STUDY THE ANSWERS PRESENTED HERE! This is done so

you can compare your answers and compute for your scores.
The lesson proper follows the pre-test; these are stand-alone lessons coupled with easy
to follow instructions. Enough examples will be provided to help you navigate your way to evaluate
functions through function notation. An activity after the lesson proper will provide you with
additional exercise to practice your skills. Afterwards you will be asked to answer the post-test
where your score will determine if you can proceed to the next module. At the end is a self-
assessment questionnaire which you need to answer objectively.
At this point you will need a clean notebook where you can write your solutions for
comparison with the given answers later on. You will also need a timer so you can set your time
allotment for the pre-test. Observe the number of minutes you are allowed to spend in
answering.
You need to check your answer against the answer key and compare it to the range of
scores found in the table on the same page just so you would know your baseline knowledge on
evaluating functions.
You should not feel anxious about the pre-test but should be excited about it!

LET’S START!!! 😊

Pre-test:

Get a timer and set it to 40 minutes. Answer the following without consulting any reference
i.e. books, internet, etc. Answers are on the next page but refrain from looking at them unless you

are done with the test.

1. Let f(x) = x2 -2x + 1. Find f(3), f(0), f(-2), f(a)

1
2. Let g(x) = 4 – 3x. Find g(2x), g( ), g(x2)
x

3. Let h(x) = √𝐱 . Find h(4), h(-4)

4. Let f(x) = x2 – 5x + 6. Find all the values of x for which f(x) = 0.

Answer to Pre-test:

Assign 1 point to every item written in red. Add all your points range and compare it
to the range in the table below:
 Remarkable! You are very knowledgeable about evaluating functions and you
10 may brouse the pages of this module just for fun!
Good! You know quite well about evaluating functions. You might want to flip
8-9 the pages for fun and a bit of review.
Oh well! relax! You may find this module very useful as you decide to study
5-7 evaluating functions at your own pace.
Do not fret!!! This module is really intended for you. Read every page and follow
≤4 the instructions along the way. At the end is a post-test to measure your
progress. Chill!

1. Let f(x) = x2 -2x + 1. Find f(3), f(0), f(-2), f(a) → 4, 1, 9, a2 – 2a + 1

1 4𝑥 − 3
2. Let g(x) = 4 – 3x. Find g(2x), g(x), g(x2) → 4 – 6x, 𝑥
, 4 – 3x2

3. Let h(x) = √𝐱 . Find h(4), h(-4) → 2, undefined

4. Let f(x) = x2 – 5x + 6. Find all the values of x for which f(x) = 0. → 2 and 3

Now, it is time to compute your scores and compare it with the range of scores in the
table. If you got a perfect score of 10, you can just flip the pages of the module for fun!
Otherwise, you need to get your notebook and find a conducive place for you to study
as you proceed to the lesson proper.
Have fun!

Lesson Proper:

To denote a functional relationship between two variables x and y, use the equation y = f(x)

which is verbally translated as “y equals f of x” or y is a function of x. The variable y is a function

of x, means that the value of the variable y depends upon and is uniquely determined by the

variable x; more simply, f is the function or rule which allows one to determine the unique value

of y, given the value of x. thus the variable x is called the independent variable, and the variable

y is called the dependent variable.

For example, the circumference C of a circle depends on the diameter d according to the rule
or function C = 𝜋d. For every value of d, a corresponding value of C is obtained by the rule:

multiply the value of d by 𝜋. In this case the input is the value of d and the output is the

corresponding value of C. In function notation, f(x) = 𝜋x, or more specifically f(d) = 𝜋d.

Examples of mathematical models that illustrates functional relationship s are:

1. the simple interest I earned on P5,000 for one year is related to the annual percentage r by the

Formula, I = P5,000r or f(x) = P5,000x.

2. The area A of a circle is related to its radius r by the formula A = 𝜋r2 or f(x) = 𝜋x2.

Illustrative Examples:

A. Given the function f(x) = 2x + 3, find f(2) and f(-5).

The function f(x) = 2x + 3 means that x is multiplied by 2 and the result is added to 3 to obtain

f(x).

The value of the function

at x = 2 is f(2) = 2(2) + 3 = 7

at x = -5 is f(-5) = 2(-5) + 3 = -7

b. find g(x + 1) and g(x2) if g(x) = x2 – 2x + 1

g(x + 1) = (x + 1)2 -2(x + 1) + 1

= (x + 1)(x + 1) – 2x – 2 + 1

= x2 + x + x + 1 – 2x – 1

= x2

g(x2) = (x2)2 – 2(x2) + 1

= x4 - 2x2 + 1

We will have more of this concept in the next lesson 😊. In the meantime, as an exercise, perform
activity # 1 below. ENJOY!!! 😊
Activity 1:

1
1. Given: f(x) = x2 – 7x + 10. Find f(-1), f(0), f(- 2), f(h – 3)

3
2. Let g(x) = √2𝑥 + 1 . Find g(4), g(-5), g(0), g(2)

3. Let f(x) = 2x + 1. Is f(3 +1) = f(3) + f(1)?

4. Let f(x) = 2x2 – 12x + 11. Find all values of x for which f(x) = 1.

You are now ready to answer the post-test below. 😊

Post-test:
Get a timer and set it to 20 minutes. Answer the following without consulting any reference
i.e. books, internet, etc. Answers are presented below but refrain from looking at them unless
you are done with the test.
1. Let f(x) = x2 -2x + 1. Find f(3), f(0), f(-2), f(a)
1
2. Let g(x) = 4 – 3x. Find g(2x), g( ), g(x2)
x

3. Let h(x) = √𝐱 . Find h(4), h(-4)

4. Let f(x) = x2 – 5x + 6. Find all the values of x for which f(x) = 0.

Answer to Post-test:

Compare your answer to the ones below and allot 1 point for every correct answer.

1. Let f(x) = x2 -2x + 1. Find f(3), f(0), f(-2), f(a)

f(3) = (3)2 – 2(3) + 1 = 4

f(0) = (0)2 -2(0) + 1 = 1

f(-2) = (-2)2 – 2(-2) + 1 = 9

f(a) = (a)2 -2(a) + 1 = a2 – 2a + 1

 1
2. Let g(x) = 4 – 3x. Find g(2x), g(x), g(x2)

g(2x) = 4 – 3(2x)

= 4 – 6x

1 1
g(𝑥) = 4 – 3(𝑥)
𝟒 𝟑
= -
𝟏 𝒙

𝟒𝒙 − 𝟑
=
𝒙

g(x2) = 4 – 3(x2)

= 4 – 3x2

3. Let h(x) = √𝐱 . Find h(4), h(-4)

h(4) = √4 = 2

h(-4) = √−4 = undefined

4. Let f(x) = x2 – 5x + 6. Find all the values of x for which f(x) = 0.

0 = x2 – 5x + 6

0 = (x - 2)(x – 3)

(x - 2)(x – 3) = 0

x– 2 = 0 x–3=0

x=2 x=3

Remark:
A score range of 8 -10 in the post-test will allow you to proceed to the next module: Operations
on Functions.

YOU MADE IT!!!

Congratulations!!!
Self- assessment :
1. Do the learning objectives clearly state the content of the lesson?
2. Are the language used clear, descriptive, free of spelling and grammatical error?
3. Does the content logically progress throughout the module?
4. Are the instructions clear allowing you to self-navigate through the module?
5. Are examples and exercises enough for you to understand the content to be learned?
6. Did the presentation of the module engaged you to a self-directed activity?
7. You may write here any suggestion/comment/question about the module.

References:
Leithold, L. The Calculus. 7th Edition. Addison and Wesley

Areola, M. A., Solutions to Problems in Mathematics and Mechanics. Voll.1.

Mendelson and Ayres Jr., Differential and Integral Calculus. 3rd Edition.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/differential-calculus

Ayres, F. and Mendelson, E. (2012). Schaum’s Outline Series: Theory Differential

and Integral Calculus. 6th Edition. McGraw-hill Education.

Lungik, V., Menz, P. and Pyke, R. (2011). A collection of Problems in Differential

Calculus. Department of Mathematics, Simon Fraser University.