ASSIGNMENT A : Function ( Investigation )

OBJECTIVE :

Find out the difference between a relation and a functions

Find out the difference ways representations of a simple discrete and

continous functions.

Explore how the constants a,b,c and n affect the shape and position of the
algebraic, trigonometric and exponential functions.

A function is a special type of relation where each and every element in the domain
has only one image in the range input gives a unique ( exactly one ). There are four
possible ways to represent a function; verbally, numerically, visually and
algebraically.

1. Discuss with examples, the differences between a relation and a function.

The difference between relation and function,

A function is a special type of relation where each and every element in the
domain has only one image in the range

A Relation is a mapping of input and output which link or pair the elements of the domain to the range.In a
relations, an input can have as many outputs as it wants, as long as all inputs have outputs.

a
b
c
 There are 4 types of relations one to one, many to one, one to many and many to many
relations. Among these 4 relations, One-to-one relation and many-to-one relation are examples of
function

Since relation #1 has ONLY ONE y value for each x value, this relation is a function

On the other hand, relation #2 has TWO distinct y values 'a' and 'c' for the same x value of '5' .
Therefore, relation #2 does not satisfy the definition of a mathematical function
MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS ANALOGY

In a relation a input can have as many outputs as it wants as long as all inputs have outputs.
1. A function is a relation in which every element in the domain has a unique image (exactly one) in
the codomain.
2. One-to-one relation and many-to-one relation are examples of a special kind of relation which we
call function.
FUNCTIONS3.pdf
Let a function f defined by f ( x ) =a e n(xb) + c .

For n=1, a=1,b=0c=0 , the parental graph of f ( x )=e x is as shown below. This

exponential function crosses the y-axis at (0, 1).

x
When a varies, the graph of f ( x )=a e follows vertical transformation. There are
two types of vertical transformation namely vertical compression and vertical stretching.
If 0<a <1, then it is a vertical compression whereas if a>0, it is a vertical stretching.

When a is negative, then this vertical compression or stretching of the graph is

followed by a reflection in the xaxis .

x
Two examples are as shown below of which f ( x )=2 e is a decreasing function and

follows vertical stretching by a reflection in the xaxis .

Push 2 times further

from the xaxis
When b varies, the graph will be shifted to the left or to the right by b units
x1
accordingly. The value of b determines the horizontal shift. For example f ( x )=e ,
x+1
there will be a horizontal shift of 1 unit to the right whereas f ( x )=e , there will be a
horizontal shift to the left.
Likewise, the value of c will determine the vertical shift. The exponential graph either

moves up or down depending on the value of c . Two such graphs comparing to the
x
parental graph of f ( x )=e are as shown below. Moving an exponential function up or
down also moves the horizontal asymptote by c units.

When n takes the value of 2 , the exponential function increases more rapidly as
3x 2x
compare to n=1. Likewise, f ( x )=e increases even more rapidly than f ( x )=e .
nx
When n varies, the graph of f ( x )=e follows horizontal transformation. There are
two types of horizontal transformations namely horizontal compression and horizontal
stretching. If 0<n< 1, then it is a horizontal compression whereas if n>0, it is a

horizontal stretching. When n is negative, then this horizontal compression or

horizontal of the graph is followed by a reflection in the yaxis.

For an exponential function using a different base such as 2 , the shape of the curve
x
still assembles f ( x )=e . Some examples are illustrated below.

Generally, an exponential function f defined by f ( x ) =a e n(xb) + c has the following

characteristic. The parental graph can be transformed in the same way as any other
function.

Here, a is the vertical transformation, b is the horizontal shift, and c is the vertical
shift.
Conclusion

Graphs are widely used as visual representation of functions, showing the relation between the
input and the output as a line or curve.

n
The function of the form f ( x )=a ( xb) +c given can be explored graphically by changing

the constants a , b , c for a given specific value of n .

Since each of the f(x) is a function, it can be transformed easily.By considering the
parental graph , the graphs for different values of a , bc can be transformed either
with a horizontal shift, vertical shift or vertical transformation (stretching or
compression ).

In the case of exponential function, the value of n will determine also horizontal

stretching when n increase from 1to 2 and from 2 to 3.

From the functions explored throughout this assignment, it can be reduced that some of
the functions are on-to-one. These are linear functions, cubic functions of the form

f ( x )=a (xb)3 +c , exponential functions and logarithmic functions.

Since an exponential function has an inverse which is a logarithmic function. The graphs
of logarithmic functions can also be explored and can be transformed with a horizontal
shift, vertical shift or vertical transformation.