PreCalc Section 1.2
PreCalc Section 1.2
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Introduction to Functions
To help understand this definition, look at the function that
relates the time of day to the temperature in Figure 1.12.
Figure 1.12
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Introduction to Functions
This function can be represented by the ordered pairs
{(1, 9), (2, 13), (3, 15), (4, 15), (5, 12), (6, 10)}.
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Introduction to Functions
To determine whether or not a relation is a function, you
must decide whether each input value is matched with
exactly one output value. When any input value is matched
with two or more output values, the relation is not a
function.
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Example 1 – Testing for Functions
Decide whether the relation represents y as a function of x.
(a) (b)
Figure 1.13
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Example 1 – Solution
a. This table does not describe y as a function of x. The
input value 2 is matched with two different y-values.
value.
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Introduction to Functions
In algebra, it is common to represent functions by equations
or formulas involving two variables. For instance, the
equation y = x2 represents the variable y as a function of x.
In this equation, x is the independent variable and y is the
dependent variable.
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Function Notation
The symbol f (x) is read as the value of f at x or simply
f of x. The symbol f (x) corresponds to the y-value for a
given x. So, you can write y = f (x).
f ( ) = ( )2 – 4 ( ) + 7.
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Example 3 – Evaluating a Function
Let g (x) = –x2 + 4x + 1. Find each value of the function.
a. g (2)
b. g (t)
c. g (x + 2)
Solution:
a. Replacing x with 2 in g(x) = –x2 + 4x + 1 yields the
following.
g(2) = –(2)2 + 4(2) + 1
= –4 + 8 + 1
=5
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Example 3 – Solution cont’d
= –t2 + 4t + 1
= –(x2 + 4x + 4) + 4x + 8 + 1 Multiply.
= –x2 + 5 Simplify.
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The Domain of a Function
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The Domain of a Function
The domain of a function can be described explicitly or it
can be implied by the expression used to define the
function. The implied domain is the set of all real numbers
for which the expression is defined. For instance, the
function
Domain excludes x-values that
result in division by zero.
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Example 5 – Finding the Domain of a Function
b. g (x) = –3x2 + 4x + 5
c.
Solution:
a. The domain of f consists of all first coordinates in the set
of ordered pairs.
Domain = {–3, –1, 0, 2, 4}
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Example 5 – Solution cont’d
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Difference Quotients
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Difference Quotients
One of the basic definitions in calculus employs the ratio
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Example 10 – Evaluating a Difference Quotient
Solution:
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