UNIT I: FUNCTIONS

1. RELATIONS AND FUNCTIONS

A. RELATION – set of ordered pairs
Examples:
a. {(1,2), (2,3), (4,5)}
b. {(1,2), (1,3), (1,5)}
c. {(−1,2), (−2,3), (−4,5)}

• Domain – set of x – values

• Range – set of y – values
Example: {(1,0), (2,3), (4,5)}
𝐷: {1,2,5}
𝑅: {0,3,5}

B. FUNCTION – a relation in which each member of the domain is paired to exactly one member of the
range.
Examples:
a. {(1,0), (2,3), (4,5)}
b. {(−1,2), (−4,3), (−5,6)}
c. {(−1,2), (−2,3), (−4,5)}

Function can be represented through the following:

a. Table of values
x 1 2 3 4
y -5 -6 -7 -8

b. Mapping diagram

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one-function/ functions

c. Graph (use Vertical Line test to determine if the given graph is a function)

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 C. TYPES OF FUNCTION
a. Constant function [𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑐]

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th_help/topics/constant-function

b. Identity function [𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥]

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identity-function

c. Absolute Value function [𝑓(𝑥 )= |x|]

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ations_of_absolute_value_functions

d. Square Root function [𝑓(𝑥 ) = √𝑥]

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hotmath_help/topics/graphing-square-
root-functions

e. Quadratic function [𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 ]

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ratic-functions

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 f. Cubic function [𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 3 ]

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ic-function/

2. EVALUATING A FUNCTION
Rule: Replace every x in the function rule f(x) with the given replacement value, then, simplify the
resulting numerical expression.

Examples:
a. If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 2, find 𝑓(−3)
Solution:
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 2
𝑓 (−3) = (−3)2 + 3(−3) − 2
𝑓 (−3) = 9 − 9 − 2
𝑓 (−3) = −2

b. If 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 , find 𝑔(2)

Solution:
𝑔(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2
𝑔(2) = 3(2)2
𝑔(2) = 3(4)
𝑔(2) = 12

6𝑥−3
c. If ℎ(𝑥 ) = , find ℎ(4)
7
Solution:
6𝑥−3
ℎ (𝑥 ) = 7
6(4)−3
ℎ(4) = 7
24−3
ℎ(4) = 7
21
ℎ(4) = 7
ℎ(4) = 3

3. OPERATIONS ON FUNCTION
Addition: (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥 )
Subtraction: (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )
Multiplication: (𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥 )
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
Division: (𝑔) (𝑥 ) = (𝑔(𝑥))
Composition of function: (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 ))

Example:
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 14 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 4 − 17

Addition:
(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥 )
(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 14 + 𝑥 4 − 17
(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 31

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 Subtraction:
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 14 − (𝑥 4 − 17)
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 14 − 𝑥 4 + 17
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = −𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 3

Multiplication:
(𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥 )
(𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = (3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 14)(𝑥 4 − 17)
(𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 6 + 7𝑥 5 − 14𝑥 4 − 51𝑥 2 − 119𝑥 + 238

Division:
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
( ) (𝑥 ) = ( )
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑓 3𝑥 2 +7𝑥−14
(𝑔) (𝑥 ) = ( )
𝑥 4 −17

Composition of function:
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥 ))
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 14
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3(𝑥 4 − 17)2 + 7(𝑥 4 − 17) − 14
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3(𝑥 6 + 289) + 7𝑥 4 − 119 − 14
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 6 + 1,167 + 7𝑥 4 − 133
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 6 + 7𝑥 4 + 1,034

4. PROBLEMS INVOLVING FUNCTIONS

Polya’s 4 – step rule on solving problems
1. Define the problem
2. Plan the solution
3. Solve the equation
4. Check your answer

Examples:
a. Andrew is 3 years older than John Kenneth, and John Ryan is 7 years older than Andrew. If the total
of their ages is 76, how old is John Kenneth?

Solution:
Let x be the age of John Kenneth
Let x+3 be the age of Andrew’s age
Let x+3+7 or x+10 be the age of John Ryan

𝑥 + 𝑥 + 3 + 𝑥 + 10 = 76
3𝑥 + 13 = 76
3𝑥 = 76 − 13
3𝑥 = 63
3𝑥 63
=
3 3
𝑥 = 21

Therefore, the age of Kenneth is 21.

b. There are cars and motorcycles in the parking lot of OLSHCO. Dennis counted a total of 54 vehicles
but found out that there are 144 wheels. How many cars are there?

Solution:
Let x be the number of cars

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 Let y be the number of motorcycles

𝑥 + 𝑦 = 54 ––– (1)
4𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 144 ––– (2)

Using elimination method, find x or y.

UNIT II: RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

𝑃(𝑥)
Rational Function – a function in a form 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑄(𝑥), where 𝑃(𝑥) and 𝑄(𝑥) are polynomials and 𝑄(𝑥) ≠
0.

Examples:
1
a. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥
2+𝑥
b. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥2

1. EQUATION OF RATIONAL FUNCTION

To find the equation of a rational function, replace 𝑓 (𝑥 ) with y.
Examples:
1
a. Function: 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥
1
Equation: 𝑦 = 𝑥
2+𝑥
b. Function: 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥2
2+𝑥
Equation: 𝑦 =
𝑥2

2. DOMAIN AND RANGE OF RATIONAL FUNCTION

A. Domain – find x in terms of y
To find the domain of the function, determine the values for which the denominator would
be zero, thus making the rational expression undefined.
Example:
1
a. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+3
Solution:
1
The expression would be undefined if the denominator 𝑥 + 3 = 0 and 𝑥 = 3
𝑥+3
Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ 3}
Domain: {𝑥|𝑥 ≠ 3}

B. Range – find y in terms of x

To find the range of the rational function, follow the procedures below:
1. Replace 𝑓(𝑥) with y
2. Solve for x
3. Set the denominator of the resultant equation ≠ 0 and solve it for y.

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 Example:
1−3𝑥
a. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+4
Solution:
1−𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑥+4
𝑦(𝑥 + 4) = 1 − 3𝑥
𝑥𝑦 + 4𝑦 = 1 − 3𝑥
𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑥 = 1 − 4𝑦
𝑥(𝑦 + 3) = 1 − 4𝑦
𝑥(𝑦+3) 1−4𝑦
=
(𝑦+3) 𝑦+3
𝑦+3≠0
𝑦 ≠ −3

Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ −3}

Range: {𝑦|𝑦 ≠ −3}

3. INTERCEPTS
A. x – intercept (Let y = 0)
Example:
1−3𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥 ) =
𝑥+4
Solution:
1−3𝑥
0 = 𝑥+4
0(𝑥 + 4) = 1 − 3𝑥
0 = 1 − 3𝑥
3𝑥 = 1
3𝑥 1
=3
3
1
𝑥=3
1
The x – intercept is (3 , 0).
B. y – intercept (Let x = 0)
Example:
1−3𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+4

Solution:
1−3𝑥
𝑦= 𝑥+4
1−3(0)
𝑦= (0)+4

1
𝑦=
4
1
The y – intercept is (4 , 0).

4. VERTICAL ASYMPTOTE
To find the vertical asymptote of the rational function, set the denominator = 0 and solve for x.
Example:
1−3𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+4
𝑥+4=0
𝑥 = −4
The vertical asymptote is the line x = –4, because the value –4 makes the denominator 0.

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 5. TABLE OF VALUES
To create a table of values, assign values of x between and beyond the x – intercept and vertical
asymptote.
Example:
1−𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+4
The x – intercept is (1,0).
The vertical asymptote is the line x = –4
x –6 –5 –3 1 2 3
y 7 –6 4 0 1 2
− − −
2 6 7
1−(−6)
𝑓 (−6) = (−6)+4
7
𝑓 (−6) = −2

1−(−5)
𝑓 (−5) = (−5)+4
𝑓 (−5) = −6

1−(−3)
𝑓 (−3) = (−3)+4
𝑓 (−3) = 4

1−(2)
𝑓 (2) = (2)+4
1
𝑓 (2) = − 2

1−(3)
𝑓 (3) = (3)+4
2
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = − 7
6. GRAPH
To graph a rational function, follow the procedure below:
1. Find the x – and y – intercepts
2. Find the vertical asymptote.
3. Plot some points between and beyond the x – intercept and vertical asymptote (Table of
values)
4. Sketch the graph.
Example:
1−𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+4

This handout was made by Ma’am Eunice Ricci Enriquez. DON’T SELL AND DON’T DISTRIBUTE.