Functions are relations where each input has a particular output.

This lesson covers

the concepts of functions in Mathematics and the different types of functions using

various examples for better understanding.

What Are Functions in Mathematics?

A function is a relation between a set of inputs and a set of permissible outputs with the
property that each input is related to exactly one output. Let A & B be any two non-empty
sets; mapping from A to B will be a function only when every element in set A has one end
and only one image in set B.

Example:

Another definition of functions is that it is a relation “f” in which each element of set “A”
is mapped with only one element belonging to set “B”. Also, in a function, there can’t
be two pairs with the same first element.

Condition for a Function

Set A and Set B should be non-empty.

In a function, a particular input is given to get a particular output. So, a function f: A-

>B denotes that f is a function from A to B, where A is a domain, and B is a co-domain.

 For an element, a, which belongs to A, a ∈ A, a unique element b, b ∈ B is there such that

(a,b) ∈ f.
The unique element b to which f relates a is denoted by f(a) and is called f of a, or the
value of f at a, or the image of a under f.

 The range of f (image of a under f)

 It is the set of all values of f(x) taken together.

 Range of f = { y ∈ Y | y = f (x), for some x in X}

A real-valued function has either P or any one of its subsets as its range. Further, if its
domain is also either P or a subset of P, it is called a real function.

Vertical Line Test:

A vertical line test is used to determine whether a curve is a function or not. If any curve
cuts a vertical line at more than one point, then the curve is not a function.

Representation of Functions

Functions are generally represented as f(x).

Let , f(x) = x3.

It is said as f of x is equal to x cube.

Functions can also be represented by g(), t(),… etc.

Steps for Solving Functions

Question: Find the output of the function g(t) = 6t2 + 5 at

(i) t = 0

(ii) t = 2

Solution:

The given function is g(t) = 6t2 + 5

(i) At t = 0, g(0) = 6(0)2 + 5 = 5

(ii) At t = 2, g(2) = 6(2)2 + 5 = 29

Types of Functions

There are various types of functions in Mathematics which are explained below in detail.
The different function types covered here are given below:

 One-one Function (Injective Function)

 Many-one Function

 Onto Function (Surjective Function)

 Into Function

 Polynomial Function

 Linear Function

 Identical Function

 Quadratic Function

 Rational Function

 Algebraic Functions

 Cubic Function

 Modulus Function

 Signum Function

 Greatest Integer Function

 Fractional Part Function

 Even and Odd Function

 Periodic Function

 Composite Function

 Constant Function

 Identity Function
Practice: Find the missing equations from the above graphs.

One-one Function (Injective Function)

If each element in the domain of a function has a distinct image in the co-domain, the
function is said to be a one-one function.
For example, f; R R, given by f(x) = 3x + 5, is one-one.

Many-one function

On the other hand, if there are at least two elements in the domain whose images are the
same, the function is known as many to one.

For example, f : R R, given by f(x) = x2 + 1, is many-one.

Onto Function (Surjective Function)

A function is called an onto function if each element in the co-domain has at least one pre-
image in the domain.
Into Function

If there exists at least one element in the co-domain, which is not an image of any element
in the domain, then the function will be into function.

(Q) Let A = {x : 1 < x < 1} = B be a mapping f : A B; find the nature of the given function (P).
F(x) = |x|

f (x) = |1|

Solution for x = 1 & -1

Hence, it is many one, the range of f(x) from [-1, 1] is [0, 1] is not equal to the co-domain.

Hence, it is into function.

Let’s say we have the function,

f(x)={x2;x≥0−x2;x<0

For different values of the input, we have different outputs; hence it is a one-one function,
and also, it manages equally to its co-domain; hence, it is onto also.

Polynomial function

A real-valued function f : P → P defined by

y=f(a)=h0+h1a+…..+hnan

, where n ∈ N and h0 + h1 + … + hn ∈ P, for each a ∈ P, is called polynomial function.

 N = a non-negative integer.

 The degree of the polynomial function is the highest power in the expression.

 If the degree is zero, it’s called a constant function.

 If the degree is one, it’s called a linear function. For example, b = a+1.

 Graph type: Always a straight line.

So, a polynomial function can be expressed as:

f(x)=anxn+an−1xn−1+…..+a1x1+a0

The highest power in the expression is known as the degree of the polynomial function.
The different types of polynomial functions based on the degree are as follows:

1. The polynomial function is called a constant function if the degree is zero.

2. The polynomial function is called a linear if the degree is one.

3. The polynomial function is quadratic if the degree is two.

4. The polynomial function is cubic if the degree is three.

Linear Function

All functions in the form of ax + b where a, b ∈ R & a ≠ 0 are called linear functions. The
graph will be a straight line. In other words, a linear polynomial function is a first-degree
polynomial where the input needs to be multiplied by m and added to c. It can be
expressed by f(x) = mx + c.

For example, f(x) = 2x + 1 at x = 1

f(1) = 2.1 + 1 = 3

f(1) = 3

Another example of a linear function is y = x + 3

Identical Function
Two functions, f and g, are said to be identical if

(a) The domain of f = domain of g

(b) The range of f = the range of g

(c) f(x) = g(x) ∀ x ∈ Df & Dg

For example, f(x) = x

g(x)=11/x

Solution: f(x) = x is defined for all x

But

g(x)=11/x

is not defined of x = 0

Hence, it is identical for x ∈ R – {0}

Quadratic Function

All functions in the form of y = ax2 + bx + c where a, b, c ∈ R, a ≠ 0 will be known as

Quadratic functions. The graph will be parabolic.
At x=−b±D2

, we will get its maximum on minimum value depending on the leading coefficient, and that value will be -
D/4a (where D = Discriminant).

In simpler terms,

A quadratic polynomial function is a second-degree polynomial, and it can be expressed as:

F(x) = ax2 + bx + c, and a is not equal to zero.

Where a, b, and c are constant, and x is a variable.

Example, f(x) = 2x2 + x – 1 at x = 2

If x = 2, f(2) = 2.22 + 2 – 1 = 9

For example, y = x2

Read More: Quadratic Function Formula

Rational Function

These are the real functions of the type

f(a)g(a)

where f (a) and g (a) are polynomial functions of a defined in a domain, where g(a) ≠ 0.

 For example, f : P – {– 6} → P defined by

f(a)=f(a+1)g(a+2)∀a∈P–−6,

 is a rational function.

 Graph type: Asymptotes (the curves touching the axes lines).

Algebraic Functions

An algebraic equation is known as a function that consists of a finite number of terms

involving powers and roots of independent variable x and fundamental operations, such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

For example,

f(x)=5x3−2x2+3x+6

,g(x)=3x+4(x−1)2

.Cubic Function

A cubic polynomial function is a polynomial of degree three and can be expressed as:

F(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, and a is not equal to zero.

In other words, any function in the form of f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, d ∈ R &
a≠0

For example, y = x3

Domain ∈ R

Range ∈ R

Modulus Function

The real function f : P → P defined by f (a) = |a| = a when a ≥ 0. and f(a) = -a when a < 0 ∀
a ∈ P is called the modulus function.

 Domain of f = P

 Range of f = P+ U {0}

y=|x|={xx≥0−xx<0

Domain: R

Range: [0, ∞)

Signum Function

The real function f : P → P is defined by

{|f(a)|f(a),a≠00,a=0={1,ifx>00,ifx=0−1,ifx<0

is called the signum function or sign function (gives the sign of real number).

 Domain of f = P

 Range of f = {1, 0, – 1}

For example, signum (100) = 1

signum (log 1) = 0

signum (x21) =1

Greatest Integer Function

The real function f : P → P defined by f (a) = [a], a ∈ P assumes the value of the greatest
integer less than or equal to a is called the greatest integer function.

 Thus f (a) = [a] = – 1 for – 1 ⩽ a < 0

 f (a) = [a] = 0 for 0 ⩽ a < 1

 [a] = 1 for 1 ⩽ a < 2

 [a] = 2 for 2 ⩽ a < 3 and so on…

The greatest integer function always gives integral output. The greatest integral value that
has been taken by the input will be the output.

For example, [4.5] = 4

[6.99] = 6
[1.2] = 2

Domain ∈ R

Range ∈ Integers

Fractional Part Function

{x} = x – [x]

It always gives fractional value as output.

For example, {4.5} = 4.5 – [4.5]

= 4.5 – 4 = 0.5

{6.99} = 6.99 – [6.99]

= 6.99 – 6 = 0.99

{7} = 7 – [7] = 7 –7 = 0

Even and Odd Function

If f(x) = f(-x), then the function will be even function, and if f(x) = -f(-x), then the function
will be odd function.
Example 1:

f(x) = x2sinx

f(-x) = -x2sinx

Here, f(x) = -f(-x)

It is an odd function.

Example 2:

f(x)=x2

and

f(−x)=x2

f(x) = f(-x)

It is an even function.

Periodic Function

A function is said to be a periodic function if a positive real number T exists, such that f(u –
t) = f(x) for all x ε domain.

For example, f(x) = sin x

f(x + 2π) = sin (x + 2π) = sin x fundamental

Then period of sin x is 2π.

Composite Function

Let A, B, and C be three non-empty sets

Let f: A → B & g : G → C be two functions, then gof : A → C. This function is called the
composition of f and g given gof (x) = g(f(x)).

For example, f(x) = x2 & g(x) = 2x

f(g(x)) = f(2,x) = (2x)2 = 4x2

g(f(x)) = g(x2) = 2x2

Constant Function

The function f : P → P is defined by b = f (x) = D, a ∈ P, where D is a constant ∈ P, is a

constant function.

 Domain of f = P

 Range of f = {D}

 Graph type: A straight line which is parallel to the x-axis.

In simple words, the polynomial of 0th degree where f(x) = f(0) = a0 = c. Regardless of the
input, the output always results in a constant value. The graph for this is a horizontal line.

Identity Function

P= set of real numbers

The function f : P → P defined by b = f (a) = a for each a ∈ P is called the identity function.

 Domain of f = P
 Range of f = P

 Graph type: A straight line passing through the origin.