Taken from Haese Mathematics:

Mathematics for the international

student: Mathematics SL
Chapter 2
Functions
Alzbeta Bavorova
Ch2 Functions
Relations and functions
A relation consists of ordered pairs showing the relationship
between two variables. It is a set of points relating the two
variables.
The domain of a relation are all possible values on the
horizontal (x) axis.
The range of a relation are all possible values on the vertical (y)
axis.
Relations are often expressed through equations. However,
some relations cannot be expressed through equations.
All these are relations:

Functions
A function, sometimes called a mapping, is a relation in which no two different ordered pairs have the x-
coordinate or first component. This means that there is only one y value for every x value.
A function is a special type of relation.
Algebraic test:
If a relationship is given as an equation, and the substitution of any value for x results in one and only one value
of y, then the relation is a function
Geometric test / Vertical line test:
If we draw all possible vertical lines on the graph of a relation, the relation is a function if each line cuts the
graph once at most.
Function notation
f: x 2x + 3 f(x) = 2x + 3 y = 2x + 3
All the above are valid function notations.
This is the Cartesian plane.

It is named after the French philosopher
Ren Descartes.
y = f(x) is called the function value or the image of x.
Linear functions
A linear function has the general formula f(x) = ax + b, where a and b are real constants. The graph of a linear
function is a straight line.
a slope of the function
b y intercept of the function
Domain and range
The domain of a relation are all possible values on the horizontal (x) axis.
The range of a relation are all possible values on the vertical (y) axis.
The domain and range are often described using set notation:
Examples:
domain: {x | x -1 } {x | x } {x | x 2}
range: {y | y -3}
Number line graphs
Number line graphs are used to illustrate the domain and range.

Domain and range of functions
If a domain is not defined, we use the natural domain, that is the largest part of , for which f(x) is defined.
Remember that:
=> x 0

=> x 0
Composite functions
(f g)(x) is the composite function of functions f and g. This means, that the function g is substituted for x
within function f.
f(x) = x
4

g(x) = 2x + 3

(fg)(x) = (2x+3)
4

(gf)(x) = 2x
4
+ 3

The domain of the composite function depends on the domain of the original function. It will only include what
the domains of both the functions included.
Sign diagrams
See chapter1: quadratics.
When you encounter a dotted line on a sign diagram, this means that the function is undefined for the given
value (It is excluded from the domain).
Remember:
For functions f(x) = x
A
:
if A is even, there is no change of sign (it is a parabola, such as for x
2
).
if A is odd, there is a change of sign (such as x
3
).

Rational functions
When we divide a linear function by another linear function, we get a rational function (Rational functions are
called rational, because they can be expressed through a
fraction, just like rational numbers).
They take the form of a hyperbola and are characterized by
asymptotes.
This chapter only deals with rectangular hyperbolas, whose
asymptotes are parallel to the x and y axes.



Reciprocal function
A reciprocal of a number is the number to the power of -1. This means that a reciprocal of x = x
-1
=
1

.
Reciprocal functions represent indirect proportionalities.
The numerator in this fraction does not contain x.
Its horizontal asymptote is equal to the x-axis (for vertical, see below).
Rational functions in the form =
+
+
,
Compared to the previous example, this function will be a shifted rectangular parabola.
ASYMPTOTES:
The vertical asymptote is easy x will equal whatever is excluded from the domain. This means that you have
to calculate cx + d = 0 for x.
The horizontal asymptote is more difficult. To determine it, consider how the function will behave as |x|
approaches infinity. There are two methods:
1. Method A
Substitute very large and very small numbers for x. You can try
() =
2 +1
1

(1000) =
2001
999
2.003
(1000) =
1999
1001
1.997
From this we can see that the horizontal asymptote x = 2.
This method is easy, but quite imprecise (and unmathematical). It is the one the textbook shows.
2. Method B
(http://www.purplemath.com/modules/asymnote.htm)
() =
2 +1
1

(2 +1) ( 1) = 2
(2 2)
3
() = 2 +
3
1

=> The horizontal asymptote: = 2

This method is more precise and mathematical, but may be slightly more difficult.
Sometimes, you get equations that are already in the final form, though! For those, this method is very
fast and easy.
Writing about asymptotes
If asymptotes x = 2 and y = 1, we can say that:
x 1
-
, y - (as x approaches 1 in the bottom half of the graph, y approaches negative infinity)
x 1
+
, y (as x approaches 1 in the top half of the graph, y approaches positive infinity)
Inverse functions
+ and
and
2
and
Inverse functions are also just like inverse operations. One undoes what the other one did.
The inverse function of f(x) is denoted as f
-1
(x). Dont confuse this with reciprocals!
(ff
-1
)(x) = x and (f
-1
f)(x) = x.
Remember that not all functions have inverse
functions. Be sure to do the vertical line test once you
come up with an inverse function.
Inverse functions are always symmetrical along x = y
with the original function.
If (x, y) lies on f, then (y, x) lies on f
-1
.
The domain of f is equal to the range of f
-1
and vice
versa.
Any function, whose inverse is the very same function is called a self-inverse function. Such function must be
symmetrical along x = y. (x = y and
1

are both self-inverse)

How to find f
-1
: = +
1. Substitute x for y

1
: = +
2. Rearrange so that you have y on one side and the rest of the other.

1
:

1
: =

3. Do the horizontal line test, to check whether
1
is indeed a function. If not, state that f has no inverse
function.

All these are inverse operations - one undoes what the other one did!