2 Functions

Chapter 2

FUNCTIONS
Learning Outcome 2.1

• Understand the term function.

2.1 Relation (Mapping) and Function

1. A relation between two sets is the correspondence between elements of the first set, called
domain and elements of the other set, called range.

2. There are 4 types of relation:

(a) One to one (b) Many to one

(c) One to many (d) Many to many

3. A function is a special case of a relation which takes every element of one set (domain) and
assigns to it one and only one element of a second set (range).

4. Therefore, relations one to one and many to one are function.

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Example 1
1 2
Given f ( x) = x + 2 x − 8 . Find:
2
(a) f (4) (b) f (−1)
f (2 x) , express your answer in the form of a ( x + b ) + c .
2
(c)

Learning Outcome 2.2:

• Understand and use the transformations of the graph of y = f ( x ) given by y = f ( x) + a ,

y = f ( x + a) , y = af ( x) , y = f (ax) and simple combinations of these.

2.2 Basic Curves

(I) Graph of Linear Function: Straight Line

y y
y = mx + c General Form: ax + by + c = 0
y=b
b x y
Intercept Form: + =1
a b
a x x
0 0 Gradient Form: y = mx + c
x=a
y 2 − y1
Gradient: m =
x 2 − x1
(II) Graph of Quadratic Function: Parabola

y y
y = x2 y = ax 2 + bx + c General Form: y = ax 2 + bx + c

Complete Square Form:

y = a ( x − h) 2 + k

x Turning Point: ( h, k )
x 0
0
Discriminant:  = b 2 − 4ac

Equal Roots:

Distinct Roots:
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Complex Roots:
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(III) Graph of Cubic Function

y y = x3 y
General Form: y = ax 3 + bx 2 + cx + d

x
0 x
0

y = ax 3 + bx 2 + cx + d

(IV) Graph of Absolute Value Function

y
y= x Piece-wise Function:
 x, if x  0
x =
− x, if x  0

x
0 Note:

(V) Graph of Rectangular Hyperbola

y
c2
xy = c 2 General Form: xy = c 2 or y =
x

Asymptotes:

0 x As x →  , y → 0 +

As x → − , y → 0 −

As ,

As ,
(VI) Graph of Positive Square Root Function

y
y= x
The function is not defined when x  0

x
0

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(VII) Graph of Trigonometry

2.3 Transformations of Graphs

(I) Translation of Graphs

0
The graph of y = f ( x) + a is a translation of the graph y = f ( x) by the vector   - up down translation.
a

a
The graph of y = f ( x − a) is a translation of the graph y = f ( x) by the vector   - left right translation.
0

a
The graph of y = f ( x − a) + b is a translation of the graph y = f ( x) by the vector   .
b

Example 2
If f ( x) = x 2 . Sketch the following graphs on the same axis.
(a) y = f ( x) − 4 (b) y = f ( x − 2) (c) y = f ( x + 4) + 3

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Example 3 (Specimen Paper 20/P01/Q5(a))
 2
The curve f ( x) = x 2 + 3 x + 4 is translated by   . Find and simplify the equation of the translated
0
curve.

Example 4
The functions f, g and h are defined for x  by:
f :x x2
g:x x2 + 6x + 4
h: x x 2 + 8 x + 11
Express x 2 + 6 x + 4 in the form ( x + a ) + b , where a, b  .
2
(i)
(ii) Describe fully the sequence of transformations that maps f(x) to g(x).
(iii) On the same set of axes, sketch the graphs of y = g(x) and y = h(x).
(iv) Describe fully the transformation(s) that map g(x) to h(x).

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(II) Reflection in Coordinate Axes

The graph of y = − f ( x ) is a reflection of the graph y = f ( x ) in the x-axis.

The graph of y = f ( − x ) is a reflection of the graph y = f ( x ) in the y-axis.

Example 5
If f ( x) = cos x . Sketch the following graphs for 0  x  2 .
(a) y = − f (x) (b) y = f (− x)

Example 6
(a) The functions f and g are defined for x  by:
f : x ( x + 3)( 2 x − 1)
2

g : x ( − x − 3)( 2 x − 1)
2

Describe fully the single transformation that maps f(x) to g(x).

(b) The curve with equation y = x 2 + 2 x − 5 is transformed to a curve with equation y = x 2 − 2 x − 5 .

Describe fully the single transformation that has been applied.

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(III) Stretching of Graphs

The graph of y = af ( x ) is a stretch of the graph y = f ( x ) with stretch factor a parallel to the y-axis.

1
The graph of y = f ( ax ) is a stretch of the graph y = f ( x ) with stretch factor parallel to the x-axis.
a

Example 7
If f ( x) = x 2 − 1 . Sketch the following graphs.
(a) y = 2 f ( x) (b) y = f (2 x)
1 1 
(c) y = f ( x) (d) y = f  x 
2 2 

Answers:

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

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Example 8 MJ20/P13/Q3
In each of parts (b) and (c), the graph shown with solid lines has equation y = f ( x) . The graph shown
with broken lines is a transformation of y = f ( x) .

(b)

State, in terms of f , the equation of the graph shown with broken lines.

(c)

State, in terms of f , the equation of the graph shown with broken lines.

Example 9 SP20/P1/Q5b
The graph of y = f (x) is transformed to the graph of y = 3 f (− x) . Describe fully the two
transformations which have been combined to give the resulting transformation.

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Example 10
A function f is defined by f : x 2 x 2 + 8 x − 14 , where x  , x > 0.
Express 2 x 2 + 8 x − 14 in the form a ( x + b ) + c , where a, b, c  .
2
(i)
(iii) Given that the function g is defined by g : x x 2 where x  , x > -2, describe fully the
sequence of transformations that maps g(x) to f(x).

(IV) Combined Transformations

1. The transformation of the graph y = f ( x) can be categorized as either vertical or horizontal

transformations.

Vertical Transformations Horizontal Transformations

y = f ( x) + a 0 y = f ( x + a)  −a 
Translation   Translation  
a  0 
y = − f ( x) Reflection in the x-axis y = f (− x) Reflection in the y-axis
y = af ( x) Vertical stretch, factor a y = f (ax) 1
Vertical stretch, factor .
a

2. When two vertical transformations or two horizontal transformations are combined, the order
in which they are applied may affect the outcome. When one horizontal and one vertical
transformation are combined, the order in which they are applied does not affect the outcome.

3. Vertical transformations follow the “normal” order of operations, as used in arithmetic. When
y = f ( x) is transformed to the graph y = af ( x) + k :

0
f ( x) → stretch vertically with factor a → af ( x) → translate   → af ( x) + k
k 

4. Horizontal transformations follow the opposite order to the “normal” order of operations, as
used in arithmetic. When y = f ( x) is transformed to the graph y = f (bx + c) :

 −c  1
f ( x) → translate   → f ( x + c) → stretch horizontally with factor → f (bx + c)
0 b

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Example 11 MJ22/P13/Q2

The diagram shows part of the curve with equation y = p sin ( q ) + r , where p, q and r are constants.
(a) State the value of p.
(b) State the value of q.
(c) State the value of r.

Example 12 MJ22/P11/Q8a
1 
The curve y = sin x is transformed to the curve y = 4sin  x − 30  . Describe fully a sequence of
2 
transformations that have been combined, making clear the order in which the transformations are
applied.

Learning Outcome 2.3

• understand the terms function, domain, range, one-one function, inverse function and
composition of functions
• identify the range of a given function in simple cases, and find the composition of two given
functions

2.4 Domain and Range

1. Function is express by f : x → y , x  R or f ( x) = y for all real x .

2. Domain of f (x) is the set of values of x for which f (x) is defined. In the function above,
x  R or “all real x ” are the examples of domain.

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3. Range of f (x) is the set of values of y for which elements in the domain mapped.

4. Functions with similar expression may have different domain. Hence, it is possible that the
functions have different range too.

Example 13
(a) f : x  x 2 + 3, x  R (b) f : x  x 2 + 3, x  0

(c) f :x x 2 + 3, x  1 (d) f :x x 2 + 3, −1  x  4

5. We can evaluate the domain and range by graph or algebraic approach. To sketch the graphs of
the functions from the basic curves, transformation of graphs concept can be applied.
(a) translations
(b) reflections
(c) stretches of graphs
(d) reciprocal functions
1
(i) To draw a reciprocal function, y = ,
f ( x)
Maximum → minimum
Minimum → maximum
0 → infinity (asymptote)
Asymptote → 0

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Example 14 ON06/Q10
The function f is defined by f : x  x 2 − 3 x for x  R .
Express f (x) in the form (x − a ) − b , stating the values of a and b.
2
(ii)
(iii) Write down the range of f .

Example 15
The function f is defined by f : x  x 2 − 3 x .
(i) If the domain for the function f is x  3 , state the range of f .
(ii) If the domain for the function f is x  5 , state the range of f .

Example 16 ON07/Q11
The function f is defined by f : x  2 x 2 − 8 x + 11 for x  R .
Express f (x) in the form a(x + b) + c , where a, b and c are constants.
2
(i)
(ii) State the range of f .

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Example 17 (Range in reciprocal functions)
4
(i) The function f is defined by f : x for x  1. State the range of f.
( x − 2) +3
2

1
(ii) The function g is defined by g : x for x  4 . State the range of g.
9 − x2

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9. Piecewise functions: A piecewise function is called piecewise because it acts differently on
different “pieces” of the number line.

Example 18
Sketch the following piecewise function and hence, or otherwise, state the range of f (x) .
− x 2 , x  0
(i) f ( x) = 
 x + 5, x  0
 x 2 − 1, x  1
(ii) f ( x) = 
 x − 1, x  1

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2.5 Composite Functions

1. Given two function f and g, the composite function denoted by f  g and is defined as
( f  g )(x ) = f (g (x )) .
2. This can be represented in an arrow diagram:

3. f  g only exists if the range of g is contained with the domain of f ( Rg  D f ). The

domain of f  g is always subset of the domain of g. ( D f  g  Dg )

Example 19 MJ03/Q5
The function f is defined by f : x  ax + b , for x  R , where a and b are constants. It is given that
f (2) = 1 and f (5) = 7 .
(i) Find the values of a and b .
(ii) Solve the equation ff ( x) = 0 .

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Example 20 MJ08/Q8
Functions f and g are defined by
f : x  4 x − 2k for x  R , where k is a constant,
9
g:x for x  R , x ≠ 2.
2− x
(i) Find the values of k for which the equation fg ( x) = x has two equal roots.
(ii) Determine the roots of the equation fg ( x) = x for the values of k found in part (i).

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Example 21 FM19/P12/Q8
2
The function f is defined by f ( x) = x 2 − 4 x + 7 for x  1. The function g is defined by g ( x) = for
x −1
x 1.
Express x 2 − 4 x + 7 in the form ( x + a ) + b .
2
(i)
(iv) Find an expression for gf ( x) and state the range of gf.

Example 22
Given that f ( x ) = 2 x + 3 and f (g (x )) = 10 x − 9 , find g (x) .

Example 23
If ( f  g )( x ) = 4 x 2 − 2 x + 1 and g ( x) = 2 x + 1 , find (g  f )(x ) . Hence, find the values of x that satisfy
( f  g )(x ) = (g  f )(x ) .

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Example 24 MJ16/P13/Q10
The function f is such that f ( x) = 2 x + 3 for x  0 . The function g is such that g ( x) = ax 2 + b for
x  q , where a, b and q are constants. The function fg is such that fg ( x) = 6 x 2 − 21 for x  q .
(i) Find the values of a and b.
(ii) Find the greatest possible value of q.

It is now given that q = −3 .

(iii) Find the range of fg.

Example 25 ON18/P13/Q11
Express 2 x 2 − 12 x + 11 in the form a ( x + b ) + c , where a, b and c are constants.
2
(i)

The function f is defined by f ( x) = 2 x 2 − 12 x + 11 for x  k .

The function g is defined by g ( x) = x + 3 for x  p .

(iv) With k now taking the value 1, find the largest value of the constant p which allows the
composite function fg to be formed, and find an expression for fg ( x) whenever this composite
function exists.

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Learning Outcome 2.4

• Understand the terms one-to-one function and inverse functions.

• Determine whether or not a given function is one-to-one, and find the inverse of a one-to-one
function in simple cases.
• Illustrate in graphical terms the relation between a one-to-one function and its inverse.

2.6 Inverse Function

1. If f : x → y is a function that maps x to y, then the inverse function is denoted by f −1

where
f −1 is a function that maps y back to x.

2. Suppose, f ( x) = y then f −1 ( y ) = x .
D f = R f −1
R f = D f −1

3. An inverse function of f exists only if the function f is a ‘one to one’ function.

4. To test whether a function is 1 – 1, horizontal line test (graphical approach) can be used.
If the horizontal line intersects the graph of the function only once, then the function is one – to
– one.

Example 26
Determine whether the following functions are one – to – one functions.
(a) f ( x) = x 2 , x  R
(b) f ( x) = x 2 , x  0

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5. Method of finding the inverse function
(a)  
Using formula f f −1 ( x ) = x .
(b) by substitute f ( x) = y , and find x in terms of y .

Example 27 ON05/Q8
A function f is defined by f : x  (2 x − 3) − 8 , for 2 ≤ x ≤ 4.
3

−1
(ii) Find an expression, in terms of x, for f −1 ( x ) and find the domain of f .

Example 28 ON04/Q9
The function h : x  x 2 − 6 x is defined for the domain x  3 .
Express x 2 − 6 x in the form (x − p ) − q , where p and q are constants.
2
(iii)
(iv) Find an expression for h −1 ( x) and state the domain of h −1 .

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Example 29 ON07/Q11
The function f is defined by f : x  2 x 2 − 8 x + 11 for x  R .
Express f (x) in the form a(x + b) + c , where a, b and c are constants.
2
(i)
(ii) State the range of f .
(iii) Explain why f does not have an inverse.

The function g is defined by g : x  2 x 2 − 8 x + 11 for x  A , where A is a constant.

(iv) State the largest value of A for which g has an inverse.
(v) When A has this value, obtain an expression, in terms of x, for g −1 ( x ) and state the range of
g −1 .

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2.7 The Graph of The Inverse

1. The graph of an inverse function, f −1 ( x ) of the function f (x) can be obtained by reflecting the
graph f (x) about the line x = y .
** Note: D f = R f −1
R f = D f −1

Example 30 ON08/Q10
The function f is defined by
f : x  3x − 2 for x  R .

Sketch, in a single diagram, the graphs of y = f(x) and y = f −1(x), making clear the relationship
between the two graphs.

Example 31
Given that f ( x) = x 2 − 4, x  0 .
(a) Find the inverse of function f .
(b) Sketch the graph of f and f −1 on the same plane.
(c) State the domain and range of f −1 .

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Example 32
The function g is defined by g : x  (x + 1) − 2, x  R .
2

(a) Explain why g has no inverse.

(b) If the domain of g is x  R, x  −1 , find g −1 and sketch the graph of g and g −1 . State the
domain and range of g −1 .

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