CHAPTER 5

FUNCTIONS

Only relation in situations where one quantity where one quantity depends on another
quantity is called functions.

Therefore, only one-to-one and many-to-one relations are functions.

Functions are always expressed in notation form by 𝑓(𝑥) which read as “function of 𝑥, where
𝑥 is an input value and 𝑓(𝑥) is the corresponding output value.

Example

𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥

This relation is one-to-one relation because for every value of 𝑥, there is one and only value
of 𝑥. The output from a given input can be calculated by substituting the input produces only
one output. When 𝑥 = 1, 𝑓(1) = 4 and when 𝑥 = 3, 𝑓(3) = 12.

The functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 is many-to-one functions. For example, when 𝑥 = 3, 𝑓(3) = 9 and
when 𝑥 − 3, 𝑓(−3) = 9. In this case, both the inputs 3 and −3 produce the output 9.
Example 1

Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1, find

𝑓(3) 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑘)

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = −2 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) = −7

DOMAIN AND RANGE

The set of numbers which makes up of all the possible input values for 𝑥 is called the
domain of a functions and the set of numbers corresponding to the inputs obtained by
substituting every value of 𝑥 into the functions is called the range of the functions.

Consider the example of 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 and 𝑥 can be any real numbers. When we substitute the
real numbers into the functions, the output is also real numbers. Thus, the domain of 𝑓 is
{𝑥: 𝑥 ∈ ℜ}. We can also write the domain in inequalities form and interval form, these are
−∞ < 𝑥 < ∞ and (−∞, ∞) respectively. The range of the functions is {𝑦: 𝑦 ∈ ℜ}.
Example 2

Find the domain and range for the following functions.

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 5 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2

1 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥
𝑔(𝑥) =
𝑥−2

Exercise 6.1

1
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1, find
2

𝑓(−1) 𝑓(0)

𝑓(𝑝) 𝑓(6)

2. If 𝑔(𝑥) = −3𝑥 + 5, find

𝑔(0) 𝑔(−3)
 𝑔(4) 1
𝑔( )
3

3. If 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 + 9, find 𝑥 such that 𝑓(𝑥) = 15.

4. If ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4,find 𝑥 such that ℎ(𝑥) = 21.

5. If 𝑔(𝑥) = √2𝑥 − 1,
𝑔(7) 1
𝑔( )
2

𝑔(−6) 𝑔(12)
6. Find the domains and ranges of the following functions.
2𝑥 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 3
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥2−1

𝑓(𝑥) = √2𝑥 + ! 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 4

GRAPH OF FUNCTIONS

If 𝑓 is a graph with domain A, then the graph of 𝑓 is the set of ordered pairs plotted in a
coordinate plane (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)). This could be easy if the domain of the funcyions given. If not,
there are a standard guideline to sketch a graph for each general functions.

Graphing linear functions

In general, a linear function is a function that can be written in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏,
where the slop 𝑚 and 𝑏 represent any real numbers.
Due to the 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), we can use 𝑦 and 𝑓(𝑥) interchangeably and ordered pair solutions on
the graph (𝑥, 𝑦) can be written in the form (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)).

Change a linear function given from a standard from 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 into the

Step 1
slope intercept from 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏.

Find 𝑦-intercept.
𝑦-intercept can be expressed as the ordered pair (0, 𝑓(0)). For linear
Step 2
functions, where the point actually is (0, 𝑏) where we substitute zero in the
linear function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏.

Find the second point of a linear function using the point of 𝑦-intercept and the
value of slope, 𝑚, where slope can be defined as 𝑚 = rise/run. There are 4
cases of slope in a linear function.

Step 3

Find 𝑥-intercept.
Step 4 𝑥-intercept is the point where the function intersects the 𝑥-axis, we find 𝑥 when
𝑦 = 0 or 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

Example 6.4 (textbook)

Graph a linear function 3𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 8

3𝑥 − 4𝑦 = 8
4𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 8
Step 1 3
𝑦 = 𝑥−2
4

Step 2 𝑦-intercept when 𝑥 = 0, then the point is (0, −2)

Find the second point using 𝑦-intercept and slope.

Step 3 3
The slope 4 means that for every increase of 4 in 𝑥, then 𝑦 increase by 3.
 (4,1)

Note that, the vertical line indicates that this graph represents a function.
Furthermore, the domain and range consist of all real numbers.

Step 4

Example 6.5

5
Graph the linear function 𝑓(𝑥) = − 3 𝑥 + 6 and label the 𝑥-intercept.
5
Step 1 𝑓(𝑥) = − 𝑥 + 6
3

Step 2 𝑦-intercept when 𝑥 = 0, then the point is (0,6)

Find the second point using 𝑦-intercept and slope.

Step 3 5
The slope − 3 means that for every increase of 3 in 𝑥, then 𝑦 decrease by 5.
 𝑥-intercept is when 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

5
− 𝑥+6=0
3
5
𝑥=6
3
18 3
𝑥= =3
5 5
18
The, 𝑥-intercept is ( , 0).
5

Step 4

Exercise 6.1 (textbook)

Sketch the graph of the following function.

a. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 b. 2𝑦 + 3𝑥 = 8 c. 𝑥 𝑦
+ =1
3 4
Graphing power function

Generally, power function can be divided into two types of shapes which are U shape and S
shape.
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛
When 𝑛 is a positive even number (example, 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 4 , 𝑒𝑡𝑐)
➢ The graph is U-shaped (parabola-like).
➢ It is symmetric about the y-axis.
➢ As 𝑥 becomes more positive or negative, 𝑓(𝑥) increases.

When 𝑛 is a positive odd number (example, 𝑥 3 , 𝑥 5 , 𝑒𝑡𝑐)

➢ The graph is S-curve.
➢ It is symmetric about the origin.
➢ The function increase on the right and decrease on the left.
When 𝑛 is a negative (example, 𝑥 −1 , 𝑥 −2 , 𝑒𝑡𝑐)
➢ The graph has two branches and does not touch the x-axis or y-axis.
➢ It is called a rational function.
➢ It approaches zero but never actually reaches it.

Zeros. Factor the function to find all its real zeros; these are the x-intercepts of
Step 1
the graph.

Step 2 Test points. Find the y-intercept for the function by letting x=0.

Step 3 End behaviour. Determine the end behaviour of the function by letting 𝑥 → ±∞.

Step 4 Extreme points. Find the maximum and minimum value of the function (if any).

Graph. Plot the intercepts and other points you found above. Sketch a smooth
Step 5
curve that passes through these points and exhibits the required end behaviour.

Example 6.6

Sketch the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 + 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 .

Solution:

This is a quadratic function in the standard form:

𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5
Since the coefficient of 𝑥 2 is negative (−1), the parabola opens downward.
Step 1: Find the vertex
The vertex of a quadratic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is given by:
−𝑏
𝑥=
2𝑎

For Example 6.6, 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5, we have:

𝑎 = −1
𝑏=4

−4
𝑥= =2
2(−1)

Now, substitute 𝑥 = 2 into the function to find 𝑦.

𝑓(2) = −(2)2 + 4(2) + 5 = 9

The vertex is (2,9).

Step 2: Find the 𝑥-intercepts

To find the 𝑥-intercepts, solve 𝑓(𝑥) = 0
−𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 = 0

Multiply by −1 to make solving easier:

𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 = 0

Factorise:
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 1) = 0
𝑥−5=0 𝑥+1 = 0
𝑥=5 𝑥 = −1

Thus, the 𝑥-intercepts are (−1,0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (5,0).

Step 3: Find the 𝑦-intercepts

The 𝑦-intercepts is where 𝑥 = 0
𝑓(0) = −(0)2 + 4(0) + 5 = 5
Step 4: Sketch the graph

Another way to sketch the graph of the power function is by completing the square method,
but it just can only be done for the quadratic type of power functions.

Completing the square method very useful to sketch the graph of quadratic functions 𝑎𝑥 2 +
𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 into 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 form where (ℎ, 𝑘) is the vertices of prabolic 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.

Example 6.7

Sketch the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 4

Solution:
Step 1: Factor out the coefficient of 𝑥 2 .
𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 2 − 3𝑥) + 4

Step 2: Complete the square

To complete the square inside the parentheses, we take the coefficient of 𝑥 (which is −3),
divide it by 2, and square it.
−3 2 9
( ) =
2 4
 9 9
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + − ) + 4
4 4

3 2 9
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 ((𝑥 − ) − ) + 4
2 4

Step 3: Simplify the complete the square

3 2 9
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (𝑥 − ) − 2 ( ) + 4
2 4
3 2 18
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (𝑥 − ) − +4
2 4
3 2 9 8
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (𝑥 − ) − +
2 2 2
3 2 1
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 (𝑥 − ) −
2 2

Step 4: Identify the vertex

From the vertex from:
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘

3 1
Therefore,the vertex is (2 , − 2) and since, 𝑎 = 2, the parabola opens upwards.

Step 5: Find the 𝑥-intercepts

𝑥-intercepts when 𝑓(𝑥) = 0
3 2 1
2 (𝑥 − ) − = 0
2 2
3 2 1
2 (𝑥 − ) =
2 2
3 2 1
(𝑥 − ) =
2 4
3 1
𝑥− =±
2 2
3 1
𝑥= ±
2 2
𝑥 = 2, 1

𝑥-intercepts are (1,0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (2,0).

Step 6: Find 𝑦-intercepts
𝑓(0) = 2(0)2 − 6(0) + 4 = 4
𝑦-intercepts is (0,4).

Step 7: Sketch graph

Example 6.8

Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = −𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 8

Step 1: Factor out the coefficient of 𝑥 2

Factor out −1 from the first two terms
𝑦 = −𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 8
= −(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥) + 8

Step 2: Complete the square

2 2
( ) =1
2

Now, add and subtract 1 inside the parentheses:

𝑦 = −(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 − 1) + 8
𝑦 = −((𝑥 + 1)2 − 1) + 8
 𝑦 = −(𝑥 + 1)2 + 1 + 8
𝑦 = −(𝑥 + 1)2 + 9

Step 3: Identify the vertex

Now, the equation is in the vertex form
𝑦 = −𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘

So, the vertex is (−1,9)

Step 4: Find 𝑥-intercepts

Let 𝑦 = 0
0 = −(𝑥 + 1)2 + 9
(𝑥 + 1)2 = 9
𝑥 + 1 = ±3
𝑥 = 2, −4

𝑥-intercepts are (−4,0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (2,0)

Step 6: Find 𝑦-intercepts

𝑦 = −(0 + 1)2 + 9
𝑦 = −(1) + 9 = 8

𝑦-intercept is (0,8)

Step 7: Sketch graph

Example 6.9

Show that there is a solution to the equation 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 + 4 = 0, that lies between 𝑥 = −3 and
𝑥 = −2. Sketch the curve given by 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 + 4.

Solution:
Step 1: Find first derivative and let as zero, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0.

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 3

If 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 0
3𝑥 2 − 3 = 0
3(𝑥 2 − 1) = 0
𝑥2 − 1 = 0
𝑥 = ±1

Step 2: Find maximum and minimum point using second derivative

𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 6𝑥
At 𝑥 = 1
𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 6(1) = 6 > 0 (𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚)

At 𝑥 = −1
𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 6(−1) = −6 < 0 (𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚)

𝑓(1)
𝑓(1) = (1)3 − 3(1) + 4 = 2

𝑓(−1)
𝑓(−1) = (−1)3 − 3(−1) + 4 = 6

Therefore, the minimum point (1,2)and maximum (−1,6)

Step 3: Identify 𝑦-intercept

𝑓(0) = 03 − 3(0) + 4 = 4
𝑦-intercept is (0,4).
Step 4: Find the 𝑥-intercept
How?