The Concepts of Relations and Functions

Given two numbers 3 and 9, is there a relation between

them?
These are the possible answers:
9 is 3 times 3 : 9=3x3
9 is the square of 3 : 9=
9 is 6 greater than 3 : 9=6+3
9 is greater than 3 : 9>3
3 is the square root of 9 : 3=
3 is less than 9 : 3<9
Those statements show that the relation between 3 and
9 can vary and many more can be deduced.
Relations and Functions
Now, suppose we are to find the set of natural
numbers less than 10. The numbers from 1 to 9 are
less than 10 and we can list them:
(1, 10), (2, 10), (3, 10), …, (9, 10).
Relation occurs whenever there are pairing of
elements of one set with elements of a second set.
For example, a natural number can be paired
with its square, or an integer can be paired with its
absolute value.
Relations and Functions
Let us again consider the set of natural
numbers less than 10. This set consists of only
9 elements:
(1, 10), (2, 10), (3, 10), (4, 10), (5, 10), (6, 10),
(7, 10), (8, 10) and (9, 10).
(10, 5) can not be considered an element
of the set because 10 is greater than 5. Hence,
there is a need to emphasize that the pairs in a
relation are to be regarded as ordered pairs.
Relations and Functions
Consider the four points on a Cartesian
plane, described as a set of ordered pairs,
C = {(-2, -3), (0, 1), (2, 1), (5, 4)}. This set is
called a relation.
The set of all first coordinates {-2, 0, 2, 5} is
called the domain (abscissa)
The set of all second coordinates {-3, -1, 1,
4} is called the range of the relation (ordinates)
Relations and Functions
Relations need not be only between
properties of numbers. The figure below
illustrates the relation “is the brother of” among
the set of 6 boys A, B, C, D, E, F and 1 girl G.
Notice that a double –
A headed arrow is used to
B C
E represent that A is a brother of B
D and B is a brother of A. Only a
F G single arrow connects B to G (G
is a sister of B). E and F have no
arrows as neither has a brother.
Relations and Functions
In the set {3, 5, 7, 9}, examine the relation
“is greater than.” This relation can be shown in
an arrow diagram The relation “divides
9 exactly” on the set A where A
= {2, 5, 6, 8, 10} is shown in
7 5 this arrow diagram:
3 2
5
6
10
8
Relations and Functions
A relation of special importance occurs
between two sets A and B when each number of
A is related to only one member of B. This
relation is known as Mapping or Function.
Consider set A = {-3, -1, 1, 2, 3} and set B
is the set of all positive integers {1, 2, 3,…}. Map
the relation, “when squared equals”
-3 2
-2 9 3
-1 4 6 8 7
1
2 1 5 10
3
Relations and Functions
-3 2
-2 9 3
-1 4 6 8 7
1
2 1 5 10
3
Notice that as each member of A has only
one square, only one arrow leaves each
member in A. Set A is called the Domain and
the part of set B is called the Range
Hence, set A is mapped into set B.
This mapping is conveniently written as f(-
2) = 4 stating that f operating on -2 produces an
image 4.
 Relations and Functions
Now, carefully look at the distinction
between an ordinary relation and a function
RELATION FUNCTION
a 1 a 1 a 1
b 2 b b
2 2
c 3 c 3 c 3
Each and every
member of A has One and only
2 arrows leave a one arrow leaves
only one image
No arrow from c a, b or c
in B

Note: A function is always a relation but a relation is

not necessarily a function
 Evaluation of a Function
For any ordered pair (x, y) of a function f,
f(x) = y. Hence, the value of f at x equals y.

Example:
Let f = {(-2, 4), (-1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 4)}
Find: f(-2), f(-1), f(0), f(1), and f(2)
Solution:
(-2, 4), (-1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 4)

f(-2) f(-1) f(0) f(1) f(2)

Hence, f(-2) =4, f(-1) =1, f(0) =0, f(1) =1, f(2) =4
 Evaluation of a Function
Example 2:
If f(x) = 5x – 3, find f(-2), f(0) and f(3)

Solution:
Substitute x in f(x) = 5x – 3
f(x) = 5x – 3 f(x) = 5x – 3 f(x) = 5x – 3
f(-2) = 5(-2) – 3 f(0) = 5(0) – 3 f(3) = 5(3) – 3

= -10 – 3 =0–3 = 15 – 3

f(-2) = -13 f(0) = -3 f(3) = 12

 Composition of Two Functions
The composition of two functions f and g is
(fog)(x) = f(g(x))
The domain of (fog)(x) is the set of all x in
the domain of g such that g(x) is in the domain
of f.
Functions can be combined to give a
composite function (sometimes called a function
of a function)
 Composition of Two Functions
Example:
Two functions are given: f(x) = 2x + 1 and
g(x) = 3x - 2
Illustrate the composite function derived by
operating with f first on x and then with g on the
result. Domain Range
f g
1 3 7
2 5 13
3 7 19
4 9 g(f(x)) 25
f g
x f(x) g(f(x))
 Composition of Two Functions
Domain
f g
1 3 7
2 5 13
3 7 19
4 9 g(f(x)) 25
f g
x f(x) g(f(x))

Starting with x = 1, f(1) = 3. Now,

operating with g, g(f(x)) = g(3) = 7.
The composite function is produced from
g[f(x)] which is written g(f(x)
Composition of Two Functions
Example:
Given f(x) = and g(x) = 2x – 1
Find: f(g(x)), g(f(x)), f(g(-2)) and g(f(3))
Solution:
f(g(x)) = f(2x – 1) g(f(x)) = g()
= = 2() – 1
f(g(x)) = 4 - 4x + 1 g(f(x)) = 2 – 1

f(g(-2)) = 4(- 4(-2) + 1 g(f(3)) = 2(

f(g(-2)) = 25 g(f(3)) = 17