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CIE IGCSE Maths: Extended Your notes

Functions
Contents
Functions Toolkit
Composite & Inverse Functions

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Functions Toolkit
Your notes
Introduction to Functions
What is a function?
A function is a combination of one or more mathematical operations that takes a set of numbers and
changes them into another set of numbers
It may be thought of as a mathematical “machine”
For example, if the function (rule) is “double the number and add 1”, the two mathematical
operations are "multiply by 2 (×2)" and "add 1 (+1)"
Putting 3 in to the function would give 2 × 3 + 1 = 7
Putting -4 in would give 2 × (-4) + 1 = -7
Putting x in would give 2x + 1
The number being put into the function is often called the input
The number coming out of the function is often called the output
What does a function look like?
A function f can be written as f(x) = … or f : x ↦ …
These two different types of notation mean exactly the same thing
Other letters can be used. g, h and j are common but any letter can technically be used
Normally, a new letter will be used to define a new function in a question
For example, the function with the rule “triple the number and subtract 4” would be written
f (x ) = 3x – 4 or f: x ↦ 3x – 4
In such cases, x would be the input and f (x ) would be the output
Sometimes functions don’t have names like f and are just written as y = …
eg. y = 3x – 4

How does a function work?

A function has an input (x ) and output (f (x ) or y )
Whatever goes in the bracket (instead of x )with f, replaces the x on the other side
This is the input
If the input is known, the output can be calculated
For example, given the function f (x ) = 2x + 1
f (3) = 2 × 3 + 1 = 7
f ( − 4) = 2 × ( − 4) + 1 = − 7
f (a) = 2a + 1
If the output is known, an equation can be formed and solved to find the input

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For example, given the function f (x ) = 2x + 1

If f (x ) = 15, the equation 2x + 1 = 15 can be formed
Your notes
Solving this equation gives an input of 7
What is a mapping diagram?
A mapping diagram takes an ‘input’ from one set of values to an ‘output’ in another
For example, a mapping diagram for the function x + 3 where x ≥ 3 could be shown as:

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Worked example
Your notes
A function is defined as f (x ) = 3x 2 − 2x + 1 .

(a) Find f (7) .

The input is , so substitute 7 into the expression everywhere you see an .

Calculate.

(b) Find f (x + 3) .

The input is so substitute into the expression everywhere you see an .

Expand the brackets and simplify.

A second function is defined g : x ↦ 3x – 4 .

(c) Find the value of x for which g : x ↦ − 16.
Form an equation by setting the function equal to -16.

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Your notes
Solve the equation by first adding 4 to both sides, then dividing by 3.

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Domain & Range

How are functions related to graphs? Your notes
Functions can be represented as graphs on x and y axes
The x-axis values are the inputs
The y-axis values are the outputs
To see what graph to plot, replace f(x) = with y =

What is the domain of a function?

The domain of a function is the set of all inputs that the function is allowed to take
Domains can be described in words
they must refer to x
not y or f(x)
you can use "not equal to" ≠ if needed
you can use inequality signs if needed
Examples of domains are below:
f(x) = 3x + 2 takes any x value

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the domain is "all values of x"

1
f(x) = takes any x value except 0 (you cannot divide by 0) Your notes
x
the domain is "all values of x except 0", or simply "x ≠ 0"
f(x) = x takes any x value that are not negative (you cannot square root a negative)
the domain is "x ≥ 0"
f(x) = x2 takes any x value (negative x values are fine as inputs)
the domain is "all values of x"
Some domains are restricted by choice
f(x) = 3x + 2 with the domain 0 < x < 5
This question wants to concentrate on that domain only (even though bigger domains exist)
Some domains must exclude certain values (or sets of values)
1
f(x) = must exclude x = 1 and x = -7 from any domain
(x − 1) (x + 7)
These two inputs make the function undefined (dividing by zero)
f(x) = x − 3 must exclude x < 3 from any domain
Any input in x < 3 leads to square-rooting a negative

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Your notes

What is the range of a function?

The range of a function is the set of all outputs that the function gives out
Ranges can be described in words
they must refer to f(x)
not x or y
you can use "not equal to" ≠ if needed
you can use inequality signs if needed
Ranges are influenced by domains
Examples of ranges are below:
f(x) = 3x + 2 with domain x > 0
The range is "f(x) > 2"
This is because if the inputs are all greater than 0, the outputs will all be greater than 2
This could be seen from a sketch or by substituting inputs of x > 0 into f(x)
f(x) = x2 with domain "all values of x"
The range is f(x) ≥ 0
This is because all values of x get squared (so no negative outputs are created)

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How do I solve problems involving the domain and range?

You need to be able to identify and explain any exclusions in the domain of a function Your notes
You need to be able to deduce the range of a function from its expression and domain

You may also be asked to sketch a graph of a function

This could involve sketching parts of familiar graphs that are restricted because of the domain and
exclusions

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Your notes

Exam Tip
A graph of the function can help “see” both the domain and range of function (a sketch can help if
you have not been given a diagram)

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Worked example
Your notes
Two functions are given by

1
f (x ) = 10 − x g(x ) =
2x − 1
(a) If the domain of function f is 2 < x ≤ 4 , find the range.

The domain is the set of inputs

Substitute x = 2 into f(x) to find its output

Substitute x = 4 into f(x) to find its output

Think of f(x) = 10 - x as a graph

the graph of

This straight-line graph has a negative gradient

Between x = 2 and x = 4 the graph decreases from a height of 8 to a height of 6
Relate this to outputs

all outputs are between 6 and 8

Write down the range using f(x)

Remember that the inequality is "equal to" at x = 4, f(x) = 6
the range is

(b) Write down the value of x that must be excluded from the domain of function g.

An input cannot cause the function to divide by zero

Find out when "dividing by zero" would happen

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Your notes
Solve to find this value of x (the one that must be excluded)

must be excluded

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Composite & Inverse Functions

Your notes
Composite Functions
What is a composite function?
A composite function is one function applied to the output of another function
Composite functions may also referred to as compound functions
What do composite functions look like?
The notation you will see for a composite function is fg(x)
This can be written as f(g(x)) and means “f applied to the output of g(x)”
i.e. g(x) happens first
Always apply the function on the outside to the output of the function on the inside
gf(x) means g(f(x)) and means “g applied to the output of f(x)”
i.e. f(x) happens first
How does a composite function work?
If you are putting a number into fg(x)
STEP 1
Put the number into g(x)
STEP 2
Put the output of g(x) into f(x)
1
For example, if f (x ) = 2x + 1 and g(x ) =
x
1 1
fg(2) = f ( ) = 2 × +1=2
2 2
1
gf(2) = g(2 × 2 + 1) = g(5) =
5
If you are using algebra, to find an expression for a composite function
STEP 1
For fg(x) put g(x) wherever you see x in f(x)
STEP 2
Simplify if necessary
1
For example, if f (x ) = 2x + 1 and g(x ) =
x
1 1 2
fg(x ) = f ( )=2× +1= +1
x x x

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1
gf(x ) = g(2x + 1) =
2x + 1 Your notes

Exam Tip
Make sure you are applying the functions in the correct order
The letter nearest the bracket is the function applied first

Worked example
In this question, f (x ) = 2x − 1 and g(x ) = (x + 2) 2 .

(a) Find fg(4) .

g is on the inside of the composite function so apply g first.

Apply f to the output of g.

(b) Find g f (x ) .

f is on the inside of the composite function so apply f first by substituting the function f(x) into
g(x).

Simplify.

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Inverse Functions
What is an inverse function? Your notes
An inverse function does the exact opposite of the function it came from
For example, if the function “doubles the number and adds 1” then its inverse is
“subtract 1 and halve the result”
It is the inverse operations in the reverse order
How do I write inverse functions?
An inverse function f-1 can be written as f −1 (x ) = … or f −1 : x ↦ …
For example, if f (x ) = 2x + 1 its inverse can be written as
(x – 1) (x – 1)
f −1 (x ) = or f −1: x ↦
2 2
How do I find an inverse function?
The easiest way to find an inverse function is to 'cheat' and swap the x and y variables
Note that this is a useful method but you MUST remember not to do this in any other circumstances
in maths
STEP 1
Write the function in the form y = …
STEP 2
Swap the x s and y s to get x = …
STEP 3
Rearrange the expression to make y the subject again
STEP 4
Write as f-1(x) = … (or f-1 : x ↦ …)
y should not exist in the final answer
For example, if f (x ) = 2x + 1 its inverse can be found as follows
STEP 1
Write the function in the form y = 2x + 1
STEP 2
Swap the x and y to get x = 2y + 1
STEP 3
Rearrange the expression to make y the subject again
x − 1 = 2y
x−1 x−1
=y → y =
2 2

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STEP 4
Rewrite using the correct notation for an inverse function
x−1 Your notes
f −1 (x ) =
2
How does a function relate to its inverse?
If f (3) = 10 then the input of 3 gives an output of 10
The inverse function undoes f(x)
An input of 10 into the inverse function gives an output of 3
If f (3) = 10 then f −1 ( 10) = 3
ff−1 (x ) = f −1 f (x ) = x
If you apply a function to x, then immediately apply its inverse function, you get x
Whatever happened to x gets undone
f and f-1 cancel each other out when applied together
If f (x ) = 2x and you want to solve f −1 (x ) = 5
Finding the inverse function f −1 (x ) in this case is tricky (impossible if you haven't studied
logarithms)
instead, take f of both sides and use that ff−1 cancel each other out:
ff−1 (x ) = f (5)
x = f (5)
x = 25 = 32
How do I find the domain and range of an inverse function?
The domain of an inverse function is the same as the range of the original function
The range of an inverse function is the same as the domain of the original function

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Worked example
Your notes
Find the inverse of the function f (x ) = 5 − 3x .

Write the function in the form and then swap the and

Rearrange the expression to make the subject again.

Rewrite using the correct notation for an inverse function

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