CSEC Relations, Functions, and Graphs
Notes with Examples
1. Relations and Functions
- A **relation** is any set of ordered pairs (x, y).
- A **function** is a relation where each input (x) has exactly one output (y).
- **Example**: {(1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 6)} is a function because each x maps to one y.
- **Non-example**: {(1, 2), (1, 3)} is not a function because x = 1 has two outputs.
- Represent using: ordered pairs, arrow diagrams, graphs, or algebraically.
2. Function Notation and Operations
- **f(x)** represents the output of a function f for input x.
- **Example**: f(x) = 2x + 3 → f(2) = 2(2) + 3 = 7
- **Inverse function**: If f(x) = 2x + 3, then f⁻¹(x) = (x - 3)/2
- **Composite function**: If f(x) = x² and g(x) = x + 1, then f(g(x)) = (x + 1)²
3. Linear Functions and Graphing
- Form: y = mx + c where m = gradient, c = y-intercept
- **Example**: y = 2x + 1 has gradient 2 and y-intercept 1.
- Graph is a straight line. To plot: use x = 0 and x = 1 to find y-values.
4. Equation of a Straight Line
- Use formula: y - y₁ = m(x - x₁)
- **Example**: Through (2, 3) with gradient 2 → y - 3 = 2(x - 2) → y = 2x - 1
5. Length and Midpoint
- **Length formula**: √[(x₂ - x₁)² + (y₂ - y₁)²]
- **Example**: A(1, 2), B(4, 6) → length = √[(4 - 1)² + (6 - 2)²] = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5
- **Midpoint formula**: ((x₁ + x₂)/2, (y₁ + y₂)/2)
- Midpoint = ((1+4)/2, (2+6)/2) = (2.5, 4)
6. Graphical Solutions
- Plot lines such as y = 2x + 1 and y = -x + 4 on the same graph.
- Their intersection is the solution to the system of equations.
- **Inequality Example**: y > 2x + 1 is graphed with a dashed line and shaded above.
7. Quadratic Functions and Graphs
- **Standard form**: y = ax² + bx + c
- Axis of symmetry: x = -b/2a
- Vertex: plug x = -b/2a into the equation to find y.
- **Example**: y = x² - 4x + 3 → axis: x = 2, vertex: (2, -1)
8. Interpreting Quadratic Graphs
- Identify turning point (max or min).
- Estimate gradient from graph slope.
- **Roots**: x-values where y = 0 (where graph touches x-axis).
9. Inequalities and Graphs
- For y ≤ 2x + 3, draw solid line and shade below.
- Use test point (e.g., (0, 0)) to decide which side to shade.
10. Composite and Inverse Functions
- f(g(x)) means apply g first, then f.
- **Example**: f(x) = 2x, g(x) = x + 1 → f(g(2)) = f(3) = 6
- Inverse: If f(x) = 3x - 1, then f⁻¹(x) = (x + 1)/3
11. Evaluating and Interpreting Functions
- **Example**: f(x) = x² + 2x, f(3) = 3² + 2(3) = 9 + 6 = 15
- In real-world: graph shows trends like speed or distance.
12. Non-Linear Graphs
- y = x² (parabola), y = 1/x (hyperbola), y = √x
- Use tables of values to plot points and sketch curves.