Definition of a function

function:
A function is a relation that uniquely associates of one set with numbers of another set.
A function can be either a one-one function or a many-one function.
Many-one or many-many can not be a function.
domain:
The set of input values for a function is called the domain of the function.
range(or codomain):
The set of output values for a function is called the range of the function.
Example1
𝑓(𝑥) = 5 − 2𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅, −4 ⩽ 𝑥 < 5.
a) Write down the domain of the function 𝑓.
b) Sketch the graph of the function 𝑓.
c) Write down the range of the function 𝑓.
Answer
a) The domain is −4 ⩽ 𝑥 < 5.
b) The graph of 𝑦 = 5 − 2𝑥 is a straight line with gradient −2 and 𝑦-intercept 5.
When 𝑥 = −4, 𝑦 = 5 − 2(−4) = 13
When 𝑥 = 5, 𝑦 = 5 − 2(5) = −5

𝑓(𝑥)
(−4, 13)

(5, −5)

c) The range is −5 < 𝑓(𝑥) ⩽ 13.

数学试题第 1 页（共 5 页）
 Composite functions
composite function:
When one function is followed b;y another function, the resulting function is called a composite
function.
𝑓𝑔(𝑥) means the function 𝑔 acts on 𝑥 first, the 𝑓 acts on the result.
Example2
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 1 for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.
Find the values of 𝑘 for which the equation 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑘 has real solutions.
Answer
𝑓𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑔(𝑥))2 + 4(𝑔(𝑥)) = (3𝑥 − 1)2 + 4(3𝑥 − 1) = 9𝑥2 + 6𝑥 − 3
When 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑘, 9𝑥2 + 6𝑥 − 3 = 𝑘, so 9𝑥2 + 6𝑥 + (−3 − 𝑘) = 0
For real solutions:
𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ⩾ 0

62 − 4 × 9 × (−3 − 𝑘) ⩾ 0
.
144 + 36𝑘 ⩾ 0

𝑘 ⩾ −4

P.S.
复合函数就是从右往左分别用函数表达式去作用于上一步的结果.

数学试题第 2 页（共 5 页）
 Inverse functions
inverse functions:
The inverse of a function 𝑓(𝑥) is the function that undoes what 𝑓(𝑥) has done.
An inverse function 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) exists if, and only if, the function 𝑓(𝑥) is a one-one mapping.
The graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑓 −1 are reflections of each other in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.
Example3
√
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 − 7 for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ⩾ −2.
a) Find an expression for 𝑓 −1 (𝑥).
b) Solve the equation 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = 𝑓(62).
Answer
√
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 − 7, so

√
𝑦= 𝑥+2−7

𝑥 = √𝑦 + 2 − 7

𝑥 + 7 = √𝑦 + 2

(𝑥 + 7)2 = 𝑦 + 2

𝑦 = (𝑥 + 7)2 − 2

Hence, 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = (𝑥 + 7)2 − 2.

(𝑥 + 7)2 − 2 = 1

(𝑥 + 7)2 = 3 .
√
𝑥+7 =± 3
√
𝑥 = −7 ± 3

The range of 𝑓 is 𝑓(𝑥) ⩾ −7 so the domain of 𝑓 − 1 is 𝑥 ⩾ −7.

数学试题第 3 页（共 5 页）
 Transformations of functions
transformation:

0
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑎 is a translation of the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) by the vector ( ).
𝑎

𝑎
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑎) is a translation of the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) by the vector ( ).
0

𝑎
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝑏 is a translation of the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) by the vector ( ).
𝑏

reflection:

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.

stretch:

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

Example4

The diagram shows the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥2 and its image, 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥), after a combination of
transformations.

𝑦
4
𝑦 = 𝑥2 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥)

-2 -1 𝑂 1 2 3 𝑥

Answer

4 1
a) Translation of ( ) followed by a horizontal stretch, stretch factor .
0 2

数学试题第 4 页（共 5 页）
 𝑦
4
𝑦 = 𝑥2 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥)

-2 -1 𝑂 1 2 3 4 5 6 𝑥

OR
1 2
Horizontal stretch, factor , followed by a translation of ( ).
2 0

𝑦
2 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑦=𝑥 4

-2 -1 𝑂 1 2 3 𝑥

b) Using the first combination of transformations:

𝑦 = 𝑥2 becomes 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 4)2

1
Horizontal stretch, factor means ’replace 𝑥 by 2𝑥’.
2

𝑦 = (𝑥 − 4)2 becomes 𝑦 = (2𝑥 − 4)2

Hence, 𝑔(𝑥) = (2𝑥 − 4)2 .

数学试题第 5 页（共 5 页）