COURSE TITLE: Elementary Mathematics II

COURSE CODE: MTH 106

LECTURER: Dr. Taiwo
TOPIC: Function of a Real Variable
A real variable is any variable that can only assumes real values.
The calculus has its foundation from the notion that the value of one quantity depends
on the value of another quantity. For example, the area (A) of a square unit of a circle is
related to the length (r) units of its radius by the formula;
A = πr2
A temperature F, measured in degree Fahrenheit is related to the same temperature
when we measured in degree Celsius by relationship
F = 32 + 9/5C
The volume V, of a given mass of gas is related to the pressure P, of the gas and under
certain condition, the relationship may take the form
V = 60/P
These examples lead us to the idea of a function where the value of one quantity say
(y) depends on the value of another quantity say (x). If for every possible values of x, there
corresponds one and only one values of y, we say that y is a function of x.
In the above examples;
1. A is a function of r, F is a function of C and V is a function of P
2. Also, the quantities have been linked by a mathematical formula which might often be
the case in most functions but it’s not essential. For example;
At a particular location, the wind speed may be measured using anemometer. On
a given day, the wind speed will vary with the time of the day but it will almost
certainly be impossible to find a mathematical formula connecting the two quantities
(the wind speed and the time). We can still say the wind speed is a function of time
since at any particular time, there will be just one value for the wind speed.
We shall generally use symbol y and x to denote two related quantities unless we’re
dealing with a particular example. The statement ‘y is a function of x’ is expressed
mathematically by writing
y = f(x) (1.1)
The f is used to indicate dependence on the bracketed quantity (x). Other letters can
also be used to distinguish between different functions. Some commonly used symbols are
f(x), φ(x) and g(x).
As the value of x varies, the value of y varies in a way determined by a particular
function. The value of y depends on the value of x. for this reason, y is called the dependent
variable and x is called the independent variable. The value of y when x has the value of 2 is
said to be f(2) and in general when x has the value a, the value of y or f(x) is denoted by f(a).
If f(x) is expressible as some formula involving x, these values can be calculated by
substitution into this formula.
Example 1
If f(x) = x2-3x, evaluate f(2), f(3), f(-5), f(a) and f(0)
Solution
1. f(2) = 22-3(2)
f(2) = 4-6
f(2) = -2

2. f(3) = 32-3(3)
f(3) =9-9
f(3) = 0

3. f(-5) = -52-3(-5)
f(5) = 25+15
f(5) = 40

4. f(a) = a2 – 3a

5. f(0) = 0 – 0 = 0

Note that the value of f(x) are not necessarily all different but the most important point
is that one value of x gives only one value of f(x). The possible values for x constitute the
domain of the function while the corresponding value of y constitute the co-domain of the
function
If the variable involved relate to physical quantity, the domain and the co-domain will
often be determined by physical consideration. For example:
In the example given above;
A = πr2
The domain is the set of possible real numbers: r can be any positive real number and
A is also a positive real number.
For F = 32 + 9/5C
Since the lowest possible temperature (the so called absolute zero) is -273 0C, the
domain consist of the value of C which are not less than -273, we can write the function as:
F=g(C) (where the g(C)=32+9/5C)
Since g (-273)= -459.4, the co domain therefore consist of the value of x which are not
less than -459.4.
If we think of the function y=x2 without attaching any physical significance to the
relationship but merely regarding it as a rule by which we can obtain a value y corresponding
to any value x, then the domain consist of all the real numbers. However, the co-domain is
restricted to positive real numbers.
For the function y = 1/x-3
We can see that x can take any value except the value 3. There is no way of finding the
value of y corresponding to a value of x = 3. A function f(x) is said to be defined for a certain
value a, of x, if a definite value of f(a) corresponds to this value of x
Example 2
For what values of x are the following function defined?
What are their domains and co domains?
1. F(x) = 2x-5
2. F(x) = 1/x-2
 Solution

1. Y = f(x) = 2x-5 is defined for every value of x since to any value of x, we obtain one
value for y. The domain is all the real numbers. The co-domain is also all the real
numbers.
2. Y=f(x)=1/x-2 is defined for all values of x except x = 2, since if we try to evaluate y
when x = 2, we obtain 1/0 which is meaningless since division by zero is not a valid
operation. The domain is all the real numbers except x = 2. The co domain is the
real numbers except y=0 since no values of x makes y zero.

The function V=60/P can be thought of as expressing the volume of a certain mass of
gas as a function of the pressure of the gas. From this, we can easily obtain the inverse
relationship P=60/V and we see that in this case, this relationship expresses P as a function of
V.
Similarly, from F= 32+9/5C
We obtain the inverse relationship C=5/9 (F-32)
Which expresses C as a function of F
However, for the function y = x2, the inverse relationship gives
x=+√ y
And corresponding to a given value of y (this must be positive), there does not
correspond a unique value for x. Thus, we have to think of the inverse relationship in
terms of the two functions.
x = +√y ( y > 0)
x = - √y ( y < 0)
Of course, for the first example, we considered
A = πr2
r = √A/n
Since r must be positive on physical considerations
Example 3
For the following functions, find the inverse relationship. Is this relationship a function?
1. Y= 2x + 5
2. Y= 1/x-2
3. T = √L/2

Solution
1. If y = 2x + 5, then x = ½ (y – 5) and this defines a function. Its domain consists of all
real values for y and its co-domain consists of all the real numbers
2. If y = 1/x-2 then x = 2 + 1/y. This defines x as a function of y. The domain consists of
all the real numbers except y = 0; the co-domain consists of all the real numbers
except x = 2.
3. If T = √L/2, then L = 2T2 and this defines L as a function of T. The domain consists of
the positive real numbers for T, the co-domain consists of the positive real numbers for
L.
If the functional relationship between y and x is expressed by a formula giving y in
terms of x, we say that y is an explicit function of x. The function just considered, y =
 2x + 5, y = 1/(x – 2), T = √(L/2) are all explicit functions. It may be that the relationship
between the quantities y and x is expressed by means of an equation; for example, 3y
+ 4x – 5 = 0 or x 3 + y3 = 27. In this situation, if for each possible value of x, there is a
unique value of y, we say that y is an implicit function of x. it is, in fact, possible to
express y as an explicit function in both these cases. Thus, for the first example, y =
1/3 (5 – 4x); and for the second example, y = 3√(27 – x3). This will not always be
possible.
If y5 + xy + x3 = 3 is the equation which defines y as an implicit function of x, then to
express y explicitly in terms of x, we need to solve the quintic equation y 5 + xy + x3 – 3
= 0, and this is not possible for a general value of x.
Example 4
Express y as an explicit function of x, if
i. xy = 3
ii. 2x – 3y + 2 = 0
iii. x2`+ y2 = 4
Solution
1. xy = 3 therefore y = 3/x
2. 2x – 3y + 2 = 0 therefore y = 1/3 (2x + 2)
3. x2`+ y2 = 4 therefore y2 = 4 – x2
y = ±√(4 – x2)
And this relationship does not give a unique value for y. This is yet another case where
we have to think in terms of two functions.
In the first,
y = u(x) = √(4 – x2)
The domain consists of values of x in the range -2 ≤ x ≤ 2; the co-domain consists of values
of y in the range 0 ≤ y ≤ 2
In the second,
y = v(x) = -√(4 – x2)
The domain consists of values of x in the range -2 ≤ x ≤ 2; the co-domain consists of values
of y in the range -2 ≤ y ≤ 0.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS I (NOTE: THE QUESTIONS ARE TO GUIDE)

1. A rectangle enclosure is made using 100m fencing. The fencing is used on three sides
only, the fourth side consisting of a stone wall. If the length of wall used for the
enclosure is x m, find the area of the enclosure A m 2 as a function of x. [A = ½ x (100 –
x)]
2. A cylindrical can, open at one end, is constructed so that its combined length and girth
is 20 cm. If the height of the can is h cm, express the volume of the can as a function of
h. If the radius of the can is r cm, express the surface area of the can as a function of r.[
V = 1/4π h (20 –h)2], [A = πr2 + 2πr(20 -2πr)]
3. In triangle ABC, AB = AC = 10 cm. If < ABC = x 0, express the height of the altitude from
A to BC as a function of x. h = 10 sinx
4. If f(x) = x3 – 3x. Evaluate f(1), f(2), f(-1). What is the domain? What is the co-domain?
f(1) = -2, f(2) = 2, f(-1) = 2. All the real numbers in each case
 5. Find x as a function of y if (i) y = 1/2x-1 (ii) y = 7x +3 (iii) y = sin (x + 1/4π)
3
(iv) y = x . (i) x = ½ + ½y (ii) x = 1/7 (y-3) (iii) x = sin-1y – ¼ π

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF A FUNCTION

It is very helpful to represent the variation of a function by drawing its graph. The graph
of a function y =x2 with which readers are probably familiar is shown below

Fig 1.1
The graph of the function y =x2 is a smooth continuous curve over the range of the
values of x for which the function is defined (in this case, for all values of x). We say that the
function y =x2 is a continuous function of x.

Fig 1.2
In fig. 1.2, which shows the graph of the function y =1/x, there is a break in the curve
when x = 0. Indeed, the function is not defined when x = 0. The graph is discontinuous at this
point and we apply the same description, discontinuous, to be function at this point. The
function is, of course, continuous for any range of values of x which does not include 0.
The word ‘smooth’ was applied to the curve in fig. 1.1. However, continuity does not
necessary imply a smooth curve. Consider the following function of x defined as ‘y is the
positive number having the same magnitude as x’ (i.e. y = /x/, the modulus of x). This
function may be expressed in the form y = x if x > 0, y = -x if x < 0

Fig 1.3
 Fig 1.4

In figure 1.3, the graph is not smooth near the point on it where x =0, but it is not
continuous.
For the function y = x2, we have seen that there are two possible inverse functions. In
the first, x = √y and in the second x =-√y. The graph of these functions are shown in figure
1.4. The first (x = √y) is shown with a solid line while the second (x=-√y) is shown with a
broken line.
For implicit relationship e.g. x2 + y2 = 4, we have seen there are two possible implicit
functions
Y = u(x) = √(4-x2)
Y = v(x) = -√(4-x2).
The graph of this is shown in figure (1.5). U(x) gives the upper half of the circle centre
O and radius 2; the other one V(x) gives the lower half of the same circle.

Fig 1.5

The rate of change of a Function

If y is a function of x, as x changes, y will generally change. We relate the change in y
to the corresponding change in x by defining the average rate of change of the function to be
the change in the function divided by the corresponding change in x. If x 1 and x2 are two
values of x and the corresponding values of y are y 1 and y2, then the average rate of change
of the function as x change from x1 to x2 is
y2-y1 (1.2)
x2-x1
Example 1
Find an expression for the average rate of change of the functions:
 Y=2x + 5
 Y = x2 in the interval x1 to x2
Solution
1. The average rate of change for y = 2x + 5
= (2x2 + 5) – (2x1 + 5)
x2-x1
= 2(x2 – x1)
x2 –x1
=2
2. The average rate of change for y = x2
= x22 – x12
x 2 – x1
= (x2 –x1) (x2 + x1)
x2 –x1
= x1 + x2
If we represent the function graphically, the average rate of change of the function on
interval x1 to x2 may be interpreted geometrically as being the gradient of the chord joining
the point on the graph with abscissae x 1 and x2
For the function y = 2x+5, the graph is a straight line (fig 1.6a) (1) and the gradient of
any chord is always 2.
QN/PN = Q1N1/P1N1 = 2

For the graph y = x2 in figure 1.6b(2)), the gradient of the chord PQ is different from the
gradient P1Q1. Etc.
(1)&(2). The reader is advised to go back to the note for the graphs for the compiler has no suitable graphs to put
in place

This same procedure enable us to find the gradient of the tangent at the point with x 1
on the graph of the function y = f(x). The gradient of the chord joining the two point x 1 and x2
is y2 – y1
x2 – x1

Example 2

Find the gradient of the chord joining the point 2 and x 2 on the curve

(1) Y = 1/x

(2) Y = 3/x2

What is the gradient of the tangent at the point 2 on these curves?

Solution

1. The gradient of the chord joining two point is y2 – y1

x 2 – x1

The gradient of the chord joining 2 and x 2 on y = 1/x will be 1/x2 – ½

x2 – 2

= 2 – x2
2x2 (x2-2)

= -1/2x2
As x2 approaches the value 2, -1/2x2 approaches the value of -1/2(2) = -1/4
2. The gradient of the chord joining 2 and x 2 on y = 3/x2 will be 3/x22 – 3/22
x2 – 2

= 3/x22 – 3/4
x2 – 2

= 12 – 3x22
4x22 (x2 – 2)

= 3 (4 – x22)
4x22 (x2 - 2)

= 3 (22 – x22)
4x22 (x2 – 2)

= 3 (2 – x2) (2 + x2)
4x22 (x2 – 2)

= 3 – [(x2 - 2)] (2 + x2)

4x22 (x2 – 2)

= - 3 (2 + x2)
4x22

As x2 approaches the value 2, - 3 (2 + x2) approaches the value of - 3 (2 + 2)

4x22 4(2)2

=-3x4
4x4

= -3/4

PRACTICE QUESTIONS II (NOTE: THE QUESTIONS ARE TO GUIDE)

1. The distance s m of a particle (which moves along a fixed line X’OX) from the point O,
after time t sec, is given by s = t + 1/t +1. Find its speed after 1 sec.
2. Find the gradient of the chord joining the points with abscissae 1 and x 2 on the curve y
= (x+1)2. Find the gradient of the tangent to the curve at the point with abscissae 1.

COMPILED BY SODIQ AKERELE