Unit 1: Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs Wellman 1314 Fall 2022

2.1 Basics of Functions and Their Graphs

A relation is any set of ordered pairs. The set of all first components of the ordered pairs is called the
domain of the relation and the set of all second components is called the range of the relation.

Ex. 1 The following table gives the number of representatives in the US House of Representatives for
the top 6 states as of 2021.
State # of Representatives State # of Representatives
California (CA) 53 New York (NY) 27
Texas (TX) 36 Illinois (IL) 18
Florida (FL) 27 Pennsylvania (PA) 18

The following relation can be created using the information above:

 CA,53 , TX ,36  ,  FL, 27  ,  NY , 27  ,  IL,18 ,  PA,18

Identify the domain and range for the relation.

Ways to Visualize a Relation

The column graph at left is one way you can visualize the
# of Representatives given relation.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
CA TX FL NY IL PA

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Unit 1: Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs Wellman 1314 Fall 2022

CA CA
FL 53 53 FL
IL 36 36 IL
NY 27 27 NY
PA 18 PA
18
TX TX

Domain Range Domain Range

Figure 1 Figure 2

Another way to visualize a relation is with a mapping. Each mapping shows a correspondence between
the states and their number of representatives. So, what is the difference? Figure 1 shows the
correspondence between states and their number of representatives. Figure 2 shows the correspondence
between number of representatives and their state. There is an important concept to see between the two
mappings, and that is the definition of a function.

A function is a relation in which each member of the domain corresponds to exactly one member of the
range.

Figure 1 above illustrates a function since each member of the domain corresponds to exactly one
member of the range. Figure 2 is not a function.
Ex. 2 Explain why figure 2 above is not a function.

Ex. 3 Determine which of the following relations represent a function. If the relation is a function, then
state its domain and range. If not, explain why.
a.  0, 2  , 1,3 ,  2, 4  ,  3, 2  b.  2, 4  ,  1,3 ,  0, 2  ,  1,1

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Unit 1: Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs Wellman 1314 Fall 2022

Functions as Equations
Functions are usually given as equations instead of sets of ordered pairs. For example, consider the
equation y  2 x 5  x 2  4 . The variable x is called the independent variable (the domain) and can be
assigned any value in the domain. The variable y is called the dependent variable (the range) because it
depends on the value of x. Not all equations are functions. How do you determine if an equation is a
function? If you solve an equation for y and more than one value of y can be obtained from a given x,
then the equation is not a function.

Ex. 4 Determine if the following are functions.

a. 4 x  9 y  13 b. 2 x 5  y 3  10

c. 4 x 2  9 y 2  16

What is a rule we can see from ex. 4 to determine quickly if an equation represents a function or not?

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Unit 1: Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs Wellman 1314 Fall 2022

Function Notation
x f  x f  x   2 x3  3x  5

Input Output Equation

Evaluating a Function
Ex. 5 Given g  x   2 x 2  3x  5 , evaluate the following: g  3 , g  2  , g  4 x  , g  x  1

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Unit 1: Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs Wellman 1314 Fall 2022

Graphs of Functions
The graph of a function is the graph of its ordered pairs.
Ex. 6 Graph the function y  3 x  2 .

Vertical Line Test

If you are given the graph of a relation, how can you determine quickly if it is the graph of a function?
Vertical Line Test
If any vertical line intersects a graph in more than one point, the graph does not define y as a function of x.

Ex. 7 Determine if the following graph defines y as a function of x.

a. b. c.

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 Unit 1: Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs Wellman 1314 Fall 2022

Identifying Domain and Range from a Function’s Graph

Identifying the domain and range of a graph is as simple as seeing how far left, right, up and down the
graph goes.

There are two different ways to write domain and range. Using the graph at right let’s investigate both
methods.
Set-Builder Notation

 x | 3  x  1

Interval Notation
Open Bracket if Including
Open Parenthesis if Excluding
Starting Number , Ending Number Closed Bracket if Including
Closed Parenthesis if Excluding

If missing either endpoint use either  or  , which always has parenthesis

Ex. 8 Determine the domain and range from the given function graphs.

a. b. c.

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Unit 1: Chapter 2: Functions and Graphs Wellman 1314 Fall 2022

Obtaining Information from Graphs

 A closed dot indicates that the graph does not extend beyond this point and the point belongs to
the graph.
 An open dot indicates that the graph does not extend beyond this point and the point does not
belong to the graph.
 An arrow indicates that the graph extends indefinitely in the direction in which the arrow points.

Ex. 9 Identify the following using the graph of the function given.

a. Domain

b. Range

c. x-intercept(s)

d. y-intercept

e. Find f  2 

f. Find f  5 

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