Cagayan State University–Carig Campus

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 1
CALCULUS 1: CHAPTER 1

TOPIC 1
FUNCTIONS
The development of calculus in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was motivated by the need to
understand physical phenomena such as the tides, the phases of the moon, the nature of light, and gravity. Calculus
is termed from the Latin word for pebble. Pebbles were used for counting in ancient times thus, calculus simply
means a method of calculation.

This topic imparts a thorough knowledge and understanding to the fundamental block of calculus – functions.
The relationships between physical or mathematical quantities are needed to be analyzed such as those presented
above. The development of the concept of functions play a central role in calculus and its applications. Therefore,
one must clearly define what a function is and what are its types.

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

1. define and interpret the concept of a function;

2. examine and analyze the properties of a function.

The concept of a function presents the basic idea that underlies almost all mathematical and physical relationships,
regardless of the form in which they are expressed. Many scientific and engineering principles describe how one
quantity depends on another. Unnoticeably, functions happen in real life - age is a function of time; height and weight
increase with time as well.

The idea of functions was formalized by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1673. He coined the term “function” to indicate
the dependence of one quantity on another. Some of the most basic functions the occur in calculus are trigonometric
functions, exponential functions, logarithmic and other transcendental functions, including polynomials.

1.1 Introduction to Functions: Relations

All functions are relations but not all relations are functions! We frequently read this line in mathematics
distinguishing the idea of relations to functions. Before proceeding to the formal definition of functions, let’s make a
review in our algebra courses in high school.

A relation is a set of ordered pairs. The set consisting of the first components of each ordered pair is called the
domain and the set consisting of the second components of each ordered pair is called the range. Note that each
value in the domain is also known as an input value, or independent variable, and is often labeled with the
lowercase letter 𝒙. Each value in the range is also known as an output value, or dependent variable, and is often
labeled lowercase letter 𝒚.

Let us consider the following set of ordered pairs. The first numbers in each pair are the first five natural numbers
while the second number in each pair is twice that of the first.

{(1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 6), (4, 8), (5, 10)}

As per definition of relations, the domain is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5} while the range is {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}.

Take another example: {(1, 3), (2, 4), (2, 6), (4, 8), (5, 10)}.

The domain is {1, 2, 2, 4, 5} while the range is {3, 4, 6, 8, 10}.

To excite you, the first set of ordered pairs represent a function. On the other hand, the second one is not a
function. Why? Let us define what a function is.

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Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 1
CALCULUS 1: CHAPTER 1

1.2 Definition of a Function

If a variable 𝑦 depends on a variable 𝑥 in such a way that each value of 𝑥 determines exactly one value of 𝑦, then we
say that “𝒚 is a function of 𝒙”. Mathematically, we write 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙).

Functions behave like a program. In order to create an output 𝑦, we need an input 𝑥. Take a look at the figure below.

Figure 1. The function 𝑥 2 has an output 𝑓(𝑥) = 9 when 3 is assumed for 𝑥.

A function 𝒇 is a rule that associates a unique output with each input. If the input is denoted by 𝒙, then
the output is denoted by 𝒇(𝒙) (read as “𝒇 of 𝒙).

In this definition, the term unique means “exactly one” output. Thus, a function cannot assign two different outputs
to the same input. How does it work? From 1.1, the second set of ordered pairs is not considered a function as one
input 𝑥 = 2 yielded two outputs 𝑦 = 4 and 𝑦 = 6. In that case, the definition of a function was violated.

Another one, since we say that age is a function of time, then one cannot have two ages in a day. You cannot be 19
now, 20 in a minute and 21 after more minutes. Same for mathematical functions, one input must bear only one
output. Take a look at Figure 2 to generalize relations and functions.

Figure 2. (a) This relationship is a function because each input is associated with a single output. Note that input
q and r both give output n. (b) This relationship is also a function. In this case, each input is associated with a single
output. (c) This relationship is not a function because input q is associated with two different outputs.

To summarize,

One Input to One Output FUNCTION

Many Inputs to One Output FUNCTION
One Input to Many Outputs NOT A FUNCTION

Let us dig deeper into functions by taking into account the examples below.

Example 1: Function Notations

Use function notation to represent a function whose input is the name of a month (𝑥) and output is the number of
days (𝑦) in that month for any ordinary year.

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Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 1
CALCULUS 1: CHAPTER 1

Solution:

The number of days in a month is a function of the name of the month, so if we name the function f, we write
days = f(month) or 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). The name of the month is the input to a “rule” that associates a specific number
(the output) with each input.

Say if 𝑥 = April, then 𝑦 must be 30 as there are 30 days for the month of April. Mathematically, we write

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
𝟑𝟎 = 𝒇(𝑨𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒍)
Eventually,

𝟑𝟏 = 𝒇(𝑴𝒂𝒚)
𝟑𝟏 = 𝒇(𝑶𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒓)
𝟐𝟖 = 𝒇(𝑭𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚)

Note that you may also use other variables if you wish to. For example, instead of using 𝑥 for months, you may use
𝑚 for a better representation; 𝑑 for days as well.

Example 2: Evaluating Functions

Given the function, 𝑝(𝑎) = 𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 − 𝑎, evaluate 𝑝(3).

Solution:

𝑝(𝑎) = 𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 − 𝑎
𝑝(3) = (3)3 + 4(3)2 − 3
𝒑(𝟑) = 𝟔𝟎

Therefore, for an input of 3, we have an output of 60.

Example 3: Evaluating Functions

Given the function, 𝑝(𝑎) = 𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 − 𝑎, evaluate 𝑝(3).

Solution:

𝑝(𝑎) = 𝑎3 + 4𝑎2 − 𝑎
𝑝(3) = (3)3 + 4(3)2 − 3
𝒑(𝟑) = 𝟔𝟎

Therefore, for an input of 3, we have an output of 60.

Example 4: Solving Functions

Given the function, ℎ(𝑝) = 𝑝2 + 2𝑝, solve for ℎ(𝑝) = 3.

Solution:

ℎ(𝑝) = 𝑝2 + 2𝑝 = 3
𝑝2 + 2𝑝 = 3
𝑝2 + 2𝑝 − 3 = 0
(𝑝 − 1)(𝑝 + 3) = 0
If (𝑝 − 1)(𝑝 + 3) = 0, either (𝑝 − 1) = 0 or (𝑝 + 3) = 0 (or both of them equal 0). We will set each factor equal to
0 and solve for p in each case.

(𝑝 + 3) = 0, 𝑝 = −3
(𝑝 − 1) = 0, 𝑝 = 1

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Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 1
CALCULUS 1: CHAPTER 1

This gives us two solutions. The output ℎ(𝑝) = 3 when the input is either 𝒑 = 𝟏 or 𝒑 = − 𝟑. We can also verify
by graphing as in Figure 3. The graph verifies that ℎ(1) = ℎ(−3) = 3 and ℎ(4) = 24.

Figure 3

Example 4: Finding an Equation of a Function

Express the relationship 2𝑎 + 5𝑏 = 4, as a function 𝑏 = 𝑓(𝑎), if possible.

Solution:

To express the relationship in this form, we need to be able to write the relationship where b is a function of a, which
means writing it as b = [expression involving a].

2𝑎 + 5𝑏 = 4
5𝑏 = 4 − 2𝑎
4 − 2𝑎
𝑏=
5
4 2𝑎
𝑏= −
5 5
Therefore, b as a function of a is written as

𝟒 𝟐𝒂
𝒃 = 𝒇(𝒂) = −
𝟓 𝟓

Are there relationships expressed by an equation that do represent a function but that still cannot be
represented by an algebraic formula?

Yes, this can happen. For example, given the equation 𝑥 = 𝑦 + 2𝑦 , if we want to express y as a function of x, there is
no simple algebraic formula involving only x that equals y. However, each x does determine a unique value for y, and
there are mathematical procedures by which y can be found to any desired accuracy.

In this case, we say that the equation gives an implicit (implied) rule for y as a function of x, even though the formula
cannot be written explicitly. We will tackle these equations under Implicit Differentiation.

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Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 1
CALCULUS 1: CHAPTER 1

1.3 Functions by Graphs & the Vertical Line Test

We can represent a function using a graph. Graphs display a great many input-output pairs in a small space. The
visual information they provide often makes relationships easier to understand. By convention, graphs are typically
constructed with the input values along the horizontal axis and the output values along the vertical axis. But how can
we verify if a graph represents a function?

The vertical line test can be used to determine whether a graph represents a function. If we can draw any
vertical line that intersects a graph more than once, then the graph does not define a function because a function
has only one output value for each input value.

Let us assess the following graphs in Figure 4 if a function is being described.

Figure 4. If any vertical line intersects a graph more than once, the relation represented by the graph is not a
function. Notice that any vertical line would pass through only one point of the first graph. From this we can conclude
that this graph represents a function. However, the second and third graphs do not represent a function because, at
most x-values, a vertical line would intersect the graph at more than one point, as shown.

Access the following online resources for additional instruction and practice with functions!

Relations featuring Functions http://openstaxcollege.org/l/relationfunction

Introduction to Functions http://openstaxcollege.org/l/introtofunction
Vertical Line Test http://openstaxcollege.org/l/vertlinetest
One-to-One Functions http://openstaxcollege.org/l/onetoone
Graphs as One-to-One Functions http://openstaxcollege.org/l/graphonetoone

You may also try to visit the following educational channels in YouTube recommended for engineering mathematics.

ENGR. ARISTON C. TALOSIG 5 | Page

Cagayan State University–Carig Campus
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LECTURE MODULE 1
CALCULUS 1: CHAPTER 1

For the following exercises, determine whether the relation represents a function.

1. {(a, b), (b, c), (c, c)}

2. {(a, b), (c, d), (a, c)}

Which of the graphs represent a function y = f (x)?

1. What is the most important thing you learned? Why do you think so?
2. What surprised you on the things you learned on this topic?
3. What could be the hardest process regarding this topic?

Anton, H., Bivens, I., & Davis, S. (2010). Calculus Early Transcendentals. John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd.
Canva. (n.d.). Retrieved from Canva: www.canva.com
Openstax College. (2015). Algebra and Trigonometry. Houston.

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