Functions and Relations

Relation is the set of all ordered pairs and denoted as (𝑥, 𝑦), where domain is the set of all 𝑥
values while range is the set of all 𝑦 values.
Example:
Relation: {(1,2), (2,3), (−3, −5)}
Domain: {1,2, −3}
Range:{2,3, −5}

Function is a relation in which each element of the domain corresponds to exactly on one
element in the range. A function may be defined as a set of ordered pairs, a table, a graph or
equation.

Note!
✓ Relation is a function if each element in the domain is assigned to one element in the
range.
✓ Relation is not a function if an element of domain is assigned into two or more elements
in the range.

The following characteristics of a function.

1. Each element in domain (x) must be matched with exactly one element in range (y).
2. Some elements in (y) may not be matched with any element in (x).
3. Two or more elements in (x) may be matched with the same element in (y).

Ways to represent a Function

1. Mapping Diagram

One to One correspondence (Function)

x y
1 10
2 20
3 30
4 40
5 50

One to Many Correspondence (Not a Function)

x y
1 a
2 b
3 c
4 d
5 e

Many to One Correspondence (Function)

x y
l m
o a
v t
e h
 Many to Many Correspondence (Not a Function)
x y
1 a
2 b
3 c
4 d
5 e

2. Ordered pairs (input, output)

(𝑥, 𝑦)
(−3, 4)
(3, −1)
(4, −1)
(4, 3)

Which set of ordered pairs are function?

𝐴 = {(1,2), (2,3), (3,4), (4,5)} function
𝐵 = {(1,0), (0,1), (−1,0), (0, −1)} not a function
𝐶 = {(1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4)} function

3. Table
x 1 2 3 4 5
y 2 3 4 5 6

4. Graph

5. Function Rule
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 + 1
𝑥 = 1,2,3,4,5

6. Equation
𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 1
Vertical Line Test

It is a graph represents a function if and only if no vertical line intersects the graph in
more than one point.

Function

Not a Function

Not a Function

Function
 Not a Function

Function

Write the relation described in the following then determine the domain and range
1. The first coordinate is an integer between -3 and 3 inclusive; the second coordinate is the
square of the first coordinate.
Domain: {-3, -2, -1,0,1,2,3}
Range: {9,4,1,0,1,4,9}
Relation: {(-3,9), (-2,4), (-1,1), (0,0), (1,1), (2,4), (3,9)}
2. The first coordinate is a positive integer less than 8, the second coordinate is the sum of
the first coordinate and -4.
Domain:{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}
Range: {-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3}
Relation:{(1,-3),(2,-2),(3,-1),(4,0),(5,1),(6,2),(7,3)}

Exercise: Which of the following represents a function? Show the table of values and the graph.
1. 𝑦 = −5𝑥 2 + 2
2
2. 𝑦 2 = 𝑥
3. √𝑦 = 𝑥 2
4. 2𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3
𝑥2
5. =1
𝑦2
Definition of a Cartesian Product:
Consider two arbitrary sets M and N. The set of all ordered pairs (m,n) where: a ∈ 𝐴 and
b ∈ B is called the Cartesian Product. By notation,
A x B = { (a, b) |𝑎 ∈ 𝐴 and b ∈ 𝐵}
Example 1:
Let A = {1, 2} and B = {1, 2, 3}. Find A x B.
Solution:
A x B = {(1,1), (1,2), (1, 3), (2,1), (2, 2), (2,3)}

Example 2:
Let M = {a, b, c} and N = {1, 7}. a.) Find M x N and b.) Find N x M
Solution:
a.) M x N = {(a, 1), (a, 7), (b, 1), (b, 7), (c, 1), (c, 7)}
b.) N x M = {(1, a), (1, b), (1, c), (7, a), (7, b), (7, c)}
Example 3:
Let J = {0, 1, 2} and K = {1, 2, 3}. Find J x K.
Solution:
J x K = {(0, 1), (0, 2), (0, 3), (1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 3), (2, 1), (2, 2), (2, 3)}

Example 4:
In J x K, can you identify a relation R = {(x, y) |𝑥 < 𝑦}?
Solution:
Examine the ordered pairs in J x K where the value of the first element is less than the
second element. Hence, we have
R = {(0, 1), (0, 2), (0, 3), (1, 2), (1, 3), (2, 3)}

Now, we give a formal definition of a relation.

Definition:
Let A and B be sets. A relation from A to B is a subset of A x B. Given an ordered pair (x,
y) in A x B, x is related to y by R, if and only if (x, y) is in R.
To find a relation from A to B, follow these steps:
st
1 step: Define A x B
2nd step: Examine each ordered pair that satisfies the given relation.

Example 1:
Find a relation R such that y is twice of x if A = {1, 2, 3} and B = {2, 4, 6}.
Solution:
1st step: Define A x B.
A x B = {(1, 2), (1, 4), (1, 6), (2, 2), (2,4), (2, 6), (3, 2), (3, 4), (3,6)}
2nd step: Examine each ordered pair.
R = {(1, 2), (2,4), (3,6)}

Example 2.
𝑥 −𝑦
Find a relation R such that 2 is an integer if A = {1, 2,} and B = {1, 2, 3}.
Solution:
1st step: Define A x B
A x B = {(1,1), (1, 2), (1, 3), (2, 1), (2, 2), (2, 3)}
nd
2 step: Examine each ordered pair.
R = {(1,1), (1, 3), (2, 2)}
1 −1 0
since: (1,1) → 2 = 2 = 0, which is an integer
 1 −3 −2
(1,3) → = = −1, which is an integer
2 2

2 −2 0
(2,2) → 2 = 2 = 0, which is an integer
All the other three ordered pairs cannot be part of the relation because the results are not
1 −2 −1
integers. For example, (1, 2) → 2 = 2 which is NOT an integer.

Evaluating a Function

To evaluate the function f(x) at a particular value of x in the domain of f, we simply substitute
this particular value of x to all x in the equation of the function.

𝑥 3 +5𝑥 23 +5(2) 8+10

• If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = , then 𝑓 (2) = 2−1 = 1 = 18
𝑥−1
(−𝑥 )3 + 5(−𝑥) −𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 𝑥 3 + 5𝑥
𝑓(−𝑥 ) = = =
(−𝑥 ) − 1 −𝑥 − 1 𝑥+1

• If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 + 1, then 𝑓 (0) = 2(0) + 1 = 1

𝑓 (−1) = 2(−1) + 1 = −1
𝑓 (3) = 2(3) + 1 = 7

Operations on Functions

Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions.

a. SUM, denoted by 𝑓 + 𝑔, is the function defined by (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥 )
b. DIFFERENCE, denoted by 𝑓 − 𝑔, is the function defined by (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )
c. PRODUCT, denoted by 𝑓. 𝑔, is the function defined by (𝑓. 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ). 𝑔(𝑥 )
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
d. QUOTIENT, denoted by , is the function defined by ( )(𝑥 ) = ; 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑔 𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)

Example:
If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 1, then
a. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) + 𝑔(𝑥 )
= 3𝑥 + 2 + 𝑥 2 − 1
= 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟏

b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ) − 𝑔(𝑥 )
= 3𝑥 + 2 − (𝑥 2 − 1)
= 3𝑥 + 2 − 𝑥 2 + 1
= −𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑

c. (𝑓. 𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (𝑥 ). 𝑔(𝑥 )

= (3𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 2 − 1)
= 3𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 + 2𝑥 2 − 2
= 𝟑𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
d. (𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑔(𝑥)
𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐
= 𝟐
𝒙 −𝟏
Composition of Function

Let f and g be functions.

The composite function denoted by (𝑓οg) is defined by (𝑓𝜊𝑔)(𝑥 ) = 𝑓[𝑔(𝑥 )].
The process of obtaining a composite function is called function composition.

Example:
If 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 1, then
a. 𝑓 [𝑔(𝑥 )] =3(𝑥 2 − 1) + 2 = 3𝑥 2 − 3 + 2 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏
b. 𝑔[𝑓(𝑥 )] = (3𝑥 + 2)2 − 1 = 9𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 4 − 1 = 𝟗𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑
c. 𝑓 [𝑓(𝑥 )] = 3(3𝑥 + 2) + 2 = 9𝑥 + 6 + 2 = 𝟗𝒙 + 𝟖
d. 𝑔[𝑔(𝑥 )] = (𝑥 2 − 1)2 − 1 = 𝑥 4 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 + 1 − 1 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟐𝒙𝟐