Section 1.

4 Functions and Graphs

§ Functions
§ Domains and Ranges
§ Viewing and Interpreting Graphs
§ Even Functions and Odd functions - Symmetry
§ Functions Defined in Pieces
§ Absolute Value Function
§ Composite Functions

…and why
Functions and graphs form the basis for
understanding mathematics applications.
Slide 1.4- 1
Functions

A rule that assigns to each element in one set a unique

element in another set is called a function. A function is like
a machine that assigns a unique output to every allowable
input. The inputs make up the domain of the function; the
outputs make up the range.

For every x-value there is only 1 y-value

Slide 1.4- 2
Function

A function from a set D to a set R is a rule that

assigns a unique element in R to each element in D.

In this definition, D is the domain of the function and R is a set

containing the range.

“a” is a function. The x-values must be all different

Slide 1.4- 3
Function

The symbolic way to say “ y is a function of x” is y = f ( x )

which is read as y equals f of x.
The notation f ( x ) gives a way to denote specific values of a function.

The value of f at a can be written as f ( a ) , read as “ f of a.”

Slide 1.4- 4
Domains and Ranges

§ The domains and ranges of many real-valued functions of a

real variable are intervals or combinations of intervals. The
intervals may be open, closed or half-open, finite or infinite.

§ The endpoints of an interval make up the interval’s boundary

and are called boundary points.

§ The remaining points make up the interval’s interior and are

called interior points.

Slide 1.4- 5
Domains and Ranges

§ Closed intervals contain their boundary points.

§ Open intervals contain no boundary points

Slide 1.4- 6
Domains and Ranges

or x ≥ a

or x > a

Slide 1.4- 7
Example Finding Domains and Ranges

Identify the domain and range and use a grapher

to graph the function y = x 2 .

Domain: The function gives a real value of y for every

value of x so the domain is ( -¥, ¥ ) .
Range: Every value of the domain, x, gives a real,
positive value of y so the range is [ 0, ¥ ) .

y = x2
Plot some points

[-10, 10] by [-5, 15]

Slide 1.4- 8
Viewing and Interpreting Graphs

Graphing with a graphing calculator requires that you

develop graph viewing skills.

§ Recognize that the graph is reasonable.

§ See all the important characteristics of the graph.

§ Interpret those characteristics.

§ Recognize grapher failure.

Slide 1.4- 9
Viewing and Interpreting Graphs

Being able to recognize that a graph is reasonable comes

with experience. You need to know the basic functions, their
graphs, and how changes in their equations affect the graphs.

Grapher failure occurs when the graph produced by a

grapher is less than precise – or even incorrect – usually due
to the limitations of the screen resolution of the grapher.

Slide 1.4- 10
Example Viewing and Interpreting Graphs

Identify the domain and range and use a grapher to

graph the function y = x 2 - 4

Domain: The function gives a real value of y for each value of x ³ 2

so the domain is ( - ¥, - 2] È [ 2, ¥ ) .
Range: Every value of the domain, x,
gives a real, positive value of y
so the range is [ 0, ¥). y = x2 - 4

Plot some points

[-10, 10] by [-10, 10]

Slide 1.4- 11
Together on Overhead

§ Open books to page 48

§ Problems to discuss:
5
8
15
20

Slide 1.4- 12
Even Functions and Odd
Functions-Symmetry

§ The graphs of even and odd functions have important

symmetry properties.

A function y = f ( x) is a
even function of x if f (- x) = f ( x ) y = x2
odd function of x if f ( - x ) = - f ( x ) y = x3
for every x in the function’s domain.

Fill in “-x” and see what you get.

Slide 1.4- 13
Even Functions and Odd
Functions-Symmetry

§ The graph of an even function is symmetric about the

y-axis. A point (x,y) lies on the graph if and only if the point
(-x,y) lies on the graph. parabola

§ The graph of an odd function is symmetric about the origin.

A point (x,y) lies on the graph if and only if the point (-x,-y)
lies on the graph. snake

Fill in “-x” and see what you get.

Slide 1.4- 14
Example Even Functions and Odd
Functions-Symmetry

Determine whether y = x3 - x is even, odd or neither.

y = x3 - x is odd because
f ( - x ) = ( - x ) - ( - x ) = - x3 + x = - ( x3 - x ) = - f ( x )
3

y = x3 - x

Slide 1.4- 15
Example Even Functions and Odd
Functions-Symmetry

Determine whether y = 2 x + 5 is even, odd or neither.

y = 2 x + 5 is neither because
f ( - x ) = 2 ( - x ) + 5 = - 2 x + 5 ¹ f ( x) ¹ - f ( x )

y = 2x + 5

Slide 1.4- 16
Together on Overhead

§ Open books to page 48

§ Problems to discuss:
23
24
26

Slide 1.4- 17
Functions Defined in Pieces

§ While some functions are defined by single formulas, others

are defined by applying different formulas to different parts
of their domain.

§ These are called piecewise functions.

Slide 1.4- 18
Example Graphing a Piecewise
Defined Function

Use a grapher to graph the following piecewise function:

ì2 x - 1 x £ 0
f ( x) = í 2
îx + 3 x > 0

y = x 2 + 3; x > 0

y = 2 x - 1; x £ 0

[-10, 10] by [-10, 10]

Slide 1.4- 19
Absolute Value Functions

The absolute value function y = x is defined piecewise by the formula

ì - x, x <0
x =í
î x, x ³0

The function is even, and its graph is symmetric about the y-axis

Slide 1.4- 20
Together on Overhead

§ Open books to page 48

§ Problems to discuss:
9
10
25

Slide 1.4- 21
Composite Functions

Suppose that some of the outputs of a function g can be used as inputs of

a function f . We can then link g and f to form a new function whose inputs
x are inputs of g and whose outputs are the numbers f ( g ( x ) ) .
We say that the function f ( g ( x ) ) read ( f of g of x ) is the composite
of g and f . The usual standard notation for the composite is f o g ,
which is read “ f of g .”

Slide 1.4- 22
Example Composite Functions

Given f ( x) = 2 x - 3 and g ( x ) = 5 x, find f o g .

( f o g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ))
= f (5x )
= 2 (5x ) - 3
= 10x - 3

Slide 1.4- 23
Overhead/Whiteboards

§ Open books to page 21

§ Only do one problem at a time. That way we can
discuss it before going on to the next problem.
Overhead: 27
Whiteboards: 31
34
37

Slide 1.4- 24