Scribd
Upload
4 views

Lecture 6 Functions

The document discusses the concept of functions in mathematics, emphasizing their dependence on variables and providing examples such as linear functions. It explains how to find gradients, x and y intercepts, and write equations of straight lines based on given parameters. Additionally, it includes practical applications and exercises related to cost functions and linear relationships.

Uploaded by

pkoralyostevelyn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views

Lecture 6 Functions

The document discusses the concept of functions in mathematics, emphasizing their dependence on variables and providing examples such as linear functions. It explains how to find gradients, x and y intercepts, and write equations of straight lines based on given parameters. Additionally, it includes practical applications and exercises related to cost functions and linear relationships.

Uploaded by

pkoralyostevelyn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 19

Algebra Cont.

- FUNCTIONS
• The concept of a function occupies a central place in most branches
of mathematics.
• To say that a certain item is a function of another can be interpreted
as meaning the first item depends on the second.
• This term is also often used in nonmathematical situations. For
example, one might say, “the size of the wheat crop is a function of
the weather.” Of course, it is a function of many other things as well.

• The mathematical use of the phrase “is a function of” is consistent


with its everyday use, but the meaning is more precisely defined.
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
• We might say that the circumference of a circle is a function of its
radius.
• In this case we can state precisely the nature of the dependence by
means of the equation, C = 2 r, where C represents the circumference
and r is the radius.
• Given the length of the radius, the circumference can be determined;
the circumference then depends on the radius
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS

• Consider the formula: y = 2x + 5. This defines a function. y is called


the dependent variable while x is called the independent variable.

• The x values that can be substituted in this equation make up the


domain of this function while the corresponding y values obtained
are the range of this function.
• A more standard notation used for functions is f(x).
• Other notations such as g(x), h(x), k(x) etc can be used.

• So y = 2x + 5 can be written as f(x) = 2x + 5.


Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS

• Examples of functions
f(x)=x-3
f(x)=2x^2-x+5
f(m)=-5m-7
g(a)=3a^2-2a-1
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
Linear functions
• Linear functions are those functions where the highest power or
exponent of the independent variable is one (1).
• For example y = 2x + 5 is a linear function. The power of x the
independent variable is one. (x = x1)

• The graph of a linear function is a straight line as suggested by the


name linear.
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
• There are many situations in which problems give rise to straight line
graphs.

For instance, if the yield of a certain crop was measured against the
amount of fertilizer used, there would be a direct relationship
between these two items.

• When certain values are observed and a graph plotted, the result
would be a straight line.
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
• You must have done some work on straight lines in your earlier
mathematics courses. Here we will briefly review ideas on gradient, x
and y intercepts, and writing the equation of a line when given some
values.

• The equation of a straight line we will consider here is of the form


y = mx + c
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
• Gradient (slope)

• Gradient = =

• Vertical_rise is equal to the difference in the y coordinates of any two


points on the line and the Horizontal_run is equal to the difference in
the x coordinates of the two points.
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
y
f ( x ) = −2 x + 5
y = x −1 y = mx + c
y = 3x
2x + 3y = 8
m
3x − 5 y − 7 = 0
x y c
+ =1
3 2
C = 5m − 10
K = 5d + 2
x-axis
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
Activities in straight line graphs may involve some of the following:
a) find the x and the y intercepts of the line
b) write the equation of the line
c) find the gradient of the line
d) based on the formula, evaluate values of one variable when the
other is given
e) sketch or plot a straight line given its equation
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
Finding the gradient and y intercept of a linear function
If an equation is in the form y = mx + b then the number m gives the gradient of the
line and the number b gives the intercept on the y-axis. Note that the y-intercept is
also the value of y when x

Examples:
• Write down the gradient and the y-intercept for each of the following equations
(a) y = 6x + 4 gradient = 6 y-intercept = 4

(b) y = 3 (rewrite this as y = 0x + 3) gradient = 0 y-intercept = 3

(c) 2x –3y – 6 = 0.
first you rearrange and put it in the form y = mx + c.
If you do that you will have . This is now in the form y = mx + c.

• The gradient is and the y-intercept is – 2.


Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
Finding the x intercept of a linear function

Consider the same line in (c) above, 2x – 3y – 6 = 0.


The x intercept is the point on the x axis where the line cuts through, that is the point
on the x axis when y zero.
In order to obtain the x-intercept, simply substitute y = 0 into the given equation of
the line and solve for x.
When y = 0, 2x – 3y – 6 = 2x – 0 – 6 = 2x – 6 = 0
2x = 6
x =3
If we do that the x-intercept works out to be 3.
In a similar way, we obtain the y-intercept apart from the method given above.
When x = 0, 2x – 3y – 6 = 0 – 3y – 6 = – 3y – 6 = 0
- 3y = 6
y = -2
The advantage of finding the x- and y-intercepts is that it makes it easier and quicker
to sketch the graph of the straight line.
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
Writing the equation of a straight line
In order to write the equation of a line you need one of the following:
(a) the gradient and the y intercept or
(b) the gradient and at least one point or
(c) two points
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
The following examples illustrate the above points.

(a) Find the equation of the line whose gradient is 6 and the y
intercept is –2.

Solution:
Gradient-intercept form is y = mx + c.
m = 6 and c = - 2. so we simply substitute these into the equation.

Hence the required equation is y = 6x – 2.


Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
(b) the gradient of a line is –2. It passes through the point A whose
coordinates are ( 1, 1) What is the equation of this line?

Solution: m = - 2, but y–intercept is unknown.

we can write the equation of the line as: y = -2x + c

To get the y-intercept, c, substitute the coordinates (1, 1) into


y = - 2x + c.
1 = - 2 (1) + c = - 2 + c
c=3

Therefore the required equation is y = - 2x + 3.


Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
(c) A line passes through two points whose coordinates are A(-1, 2) and
B(2, -1).
Write the equation of this line.

Solution: (i) We will first calculate the gradient


(ii) then we will use one of the two given points plus the calculated gradient
to get the y-intercept, just as we did in example (b) above.

Gradient = =

Gradient = m = .
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS

The equation we are looking for can now be written as: y = -1x + c =
-x+c
To get c, repeat the process discussed in example (b) above.
Using point A(-1, 2), substitute when x = -1, y = 2
i.e. y = -x+c
2 = - (-1) + c = 1 + c
c = 1
hence the required equation is y = - x + 1.
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
Several examples in life can be mentioned in which problems give rise to a linear
relationship. The methods of solution explained above can easily be applied here.

Example 1
The cost of hiring a certain taxi is K20 fixed charge plus K5.50 for every kilometre
traveled.
The cost function would be: C(x) = 5.5x + 20, where x is the distance traveled in
km.

The above may be written as: C = 5.5x + 20 or y = 5.5x + 20.


• From this formula we see that the cost of hiring the taxi and the distance traveled
has a linear relation of the form y = mx + c,
the gradient being 5.5, the rate of hire of the taxi (K5.5 for every km) and the fixed
charge of K20 is the y-intercept, that is the Cost when distance traveled is 0.
Algebra Cont. - FUNCTIONS
Exercise 6.2

The cost of producing a bottle of soft drink is K3.50. Transport cost


from factory to the selling point is K100 per trip. A bottle is then sold
at K5. Answer the following questions.

(a) Write an equation for the total cost of x bottles of drink in a trip.
(b) What is the revenue generated on the x bottles?
(c) How many bottles are needed to give a profit of K350?

You might also like