4
Objectives:
• Find function values
• Use the vertical line test
• Define increasing, decreasing and constant
functions
•Interpret Domain and Range of a function
Graphically and Algebraically
Function: A function f is a correspondence from a set D to a set E that assigns to each
element x of D exactly one value ( element ) y of E
Graphical Illustration f
* f(w)
x * * f(x)
z * * f(z)
w * * f(5)
5 * * 3
* 4
* -9
D
E
f is a function
More illustrations….
* f(w)
f is not a function Why?
x * * f(x)
z * * f(z)
x in D has two values
w * * f(5)
5 * * 3
* 4
* -9
D
E
* f(w)
f is not a function Why?
x * * f(x)
5 * * 3
* 4
* -9
D
E
Find function values
Example 1: Let f be the function with domain R such that f( x) = x2 for every x in R.
( i ) Find f ( -6 ), f( 3), f( a + b ), and f(a) + f(b) where a and b are real numbers.
f ( −6 ) =( −6 ) =36
2
Solution:
f ( 3) =( 3) 2
=3
f ( a ) + f (b) = a 2 +b 2 Note: f ( a + b ) ≠ f( a ) + f ( b )
Vertical Line Test
of functions
Vertical Line test: The graph of a set of points in a coordinate plane is the graph of a function if
every vertical line intersects the graph in at most one point
Function
Increasing, Decreasing and Constant Function
Terminology Definition Graphical Interpretation
f is increasing f(x1) < f(x2)
y
}
over interval I whenever
x1 < x2
f(x1) { f(x2)
x1 x2 x
f is decreasing f(x1) > f(x2)
over interval I whenever y
x1 < x2
f(x1){ }f(x ) 2
x1 x2 x
f is constant f(x1) = f(x2)
over interval I
y
whenever
{ }
x1 = x2
f(x1) f(x2)
x1 x2 x
Example 1: Identify the interval(s) of the graph below where the function is
(a) Increasing
(b) Decreasing
Solution:
-3 0
Interpretation of Domain and Range
of a function f
f
Domain
is the Range
Set of all x is the set of all values
where f is f( x )
well defined Where x is in the
domain
Graphical Approach to
Domain and Range
Example 1: Find the natural domain and Range of the graph of the function f below
Domain
More illustrations of Domain and Range of a graph of a function f
Domain = (−2,2]
Range = [0,4]
Find the natural domain and range of the following graphs
Class Exercise 1
Solution:
( 1 ) f is a linear function. f is well-defined for all x. Therefore, Domain = R
( 2 ) f is a square root function. f is well defined when
and 3 x +1 ≠ 0
2
x
-5 −1/ 3
Do all the Homework assigned in the syllabus for
Section 3.4