Scribd
Upload
6 views

Lesson 2 - Function Notation

This document explains function notation, emphasizing how to represent and evaluate functions using notation such as 𝑓(𝑥). It includes examples of evaluating functions and combining them through various operations. Additionally, it distinguishes between implicit and explicit functions, providing examples for clarity.

Uploaded by

superhero1040
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views

Lesson 2 - Function Notation

This document explains function notation, emphasizing how to represent and evaluate functions using notation such as 𝑓(𝑥). It includes examples of evaluating functions and combining them through various operations. Additionally, it distinguishes between implicit and explicit functions, providing examples for clarity.

Uploaded by

superhero1040
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

A2TH

Function Notation (Textbook Section 3.1)


In this lesson, we will learn how to represent functions using function notation and learn how to
combine functions using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Function Notation
Functions are often denoted by italic letters such as 𝑓, 𝑔, 𝐹, 𝐺 and others.

We refer to 𝑓(𝑥), (pronounced “_______________”) as the value of 𝒇 at the number 𝒙.

Example: If the function 𝑓 is represented by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 5, then 𝑓(3) = 8.

The value of 𝑓(𝑥) is the output corresponding to the input of 𝑥 or 𝑓(𝑥) is the image of 𝑥.

• For a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), the variable 𝑥 is called the independent variable because it can be
assigned to any of the numbers in the domain. The independent variable is also called the
argument of the function.

• The variable 𝑦 is called the dependent variable because its value depends 𝑥.

Example 1
For the function 𝑓, defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 ! + 2𝑥, evaluate the following:
A. 𝑓(3) B. 𝑓(−4)

C. 𝑓(3) + 𝑓(−4) D. 𝒇(−𝒙)

D. −𝑓(𝑥) E. 𝑓(𝑥 + 3)
Example 2
" ! #$
Given the function 𝑓(𝑥) = "%&
, find the following:
A. 𝑓(0) B. 𝑓(−1) C. 𝑓(−4)

You Try!
Given the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 2𝑥 − 4 find the following:
A. 𝑓(2) B. 𝑓(−3) C. 𝑓(−𝑥)

D. −𝑓(𝑥) E. 𝑓(2𝑥 − 3)
In general, when a function 𝑓 is defined by an equation written in terms of x and y, we say that 𝑓
is given implicity. If it is possible to solve the equation for 𝑦 in terms of 𝑥, then we write 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥),
and say that the function is given explicitly.

Example 3
Given the implicit form of each equation below, solve for 𝑦 and write the equation explicitly.
A. 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 B. 𝑥 ! − 𝑦 = 8

Now find 𝑓(−4). Now find 𝑓(−3).

You might also like