Functions, domain and ranges
Functions, domain and ranges
For example: For the function f ( x) = x 2 , the domain is all real numbers ( ) because you can
square any real number. The range, however, is [0, ) since squaring a real number always gives
a non-negative result.
Types of Functions: There are various types of functions, each with different characteristics.
Here are some of the common types:
Linear Function: A function of the form f ( x ) = ax + b , where a and b are constants. It produces
a straight line when graphed.
Example: f ( x ) = 2 x + 1 .
Example: f ( x ) = x 2 − 4 x + 3 .
Example: f ( x ) = 3 x3 − 2 x 2 + x − 5 .
Example: f ( x ) = 2 x , e x .
Logarithmic Function: A function of the form f ( x ) = log a ( x ) , where a is the base and
a 0, a 1 .
Example: f ( x ) = log 2 ( x ) .
P ( x)
Rational Function: A function that is the ratio of two polynomials, i.e., f ( x ) = , where
Q ( x)
P ( x ) and Q ( x ) are polynomials.
x2 + 1
Example: f ( x) = .
x−2
Trigonometric Functions: Functions based on angles, commonly used in geometry, physics, and
engineering.
x + 2, if x 0
Example: f ( x) = .
− x + 3, if x 0
Absolute Value Function: A function that gives the distance of a number from zero on the number
line, i.e., f ( x ) =∣ x∣ .
Example: f ( x ) =∣ x − 5∣ .
Inverse Function: A function that "reverses" the effect of another function. If f ( x ) maps x to
y , then the inverse function f −1 ( x) maps y back to x .
x−3
Example: If f ( x ) = 2 x + 3 , then f −1 ( x ) = .
2