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1. DEFINITION OF A FUNCTION.
A Function is a relation between two Variables such that for every value of the
first, there is only one corresponding value of the second. We say that the second
variable is a Function of the first variable. The first variable is the Independent
Variable (usually ), and the second variable is the Dependent Variable (usually ).
The independent variable and the dependent variable are real numbers.
Example 1:
You know the formula for the area of a circle is = 2 . This is a function as each
value of the independent variable gives you one value of the dependent variable .
Example 2:
If () = 2 5 + 2, then (2) = 22 5 2 + 2 = 4
2. ELEMENTARY FUNCTIONS.
2.1. LINEAR FUNCTIONS.
is the Slope of the line and is the y-intercept. Remember that if > ,
the line is an Increasing Function, and if < , the line is a Decreasing Function.
= + + ,
If two Quadratic Functions have the same , the corresponding parabolas are
equal, but they are placed in different positions.
The parabola will open upward or downward. If > , the parabola opens
Upward. If < , the parabola opens Downward.
Two different real solutions: ; . Then there are two x-intercept points
( , ) and ( , ).
No real solutions. Then the graph does not intercept the x-axis.
Axel Cotn Gutirrez Mathematics 4 ESO 4.9.7
Unit 09 May
Vertex , .
=
= ( ) = + +
The Basic Parabola is = . The function is symmetrical about the x-axis. Its
vertex is the point (, ) , which is also the absolute minimum. The graph has two
branches (one of them is decreasing and the other one is increasing).
= ; =
Its graph is a Hyperbola. It has two branches. If we focus on the branch for >
: As increases, then decreases to . As drops to , then y increases to +. The
and are Asymptotes of the function. Asymptote is a line that a graph gets
closer and closer to, but never touches or crosses it.
=
Axel Cotn Gutirrez Mathematics 4 ESO 4.9.10
Unit 09 May
To plot the graph we have to know , and . and find the Asymptotes and
draw them. Then we look for values on each branch with the help of a table. We study
the function taking in care of the value of .
A Radical Function is any function that contains a variable inside a Root. This
includes square roots, cubed roots, or any nth root.
= +
= =
The easiest one is: = . The base can be any positive real number,
. Look at these graphs:
The graphs of the functions passes through the points (, ) and (, ). The
functions = ; , , are also exponential functions. Their graphs are
similar to the graph of = .
The best thing about exponential functions is that they are so useful in real
world situations. Exponential Functions are used to model populations, carbon date
artifacts, help coroners determine time of death, compute investments, as well as
many other applications. If > , the function is increasing and if < , the function
is decreasing.
= +
= (+)
The graph = (+) can be obtained by moving horizontally the graph from
the function = .
=
=
3.1. LINEAR FUNCTIONS.
Remember that
= +
Remember that:
= +
The domain of is the range of , and vice versa, the range of is the
domain of .
We can see that there are no gaps in the curve. Any value of will give us a
corresponding value of y. We could continue the graph in the negative and positive
directions, and we would never need to take the pencil off the paper. Such functions
are called Continuous Functions.
Axel Cotn Gutirrez Mathematics 4 ESO 4.9.26
Unit 09 May
For a function to be Continuous at a point, the function must exist at the point
and any small change in produces only a small change in (). If a function is not
continuous at a point, we say that it is Discontinuous at that point.
All the functions seen are Continuous except the Rational Functions that are
Discontinuous. The discontinuous point will be in the asymptote point.
Example 1:
= 5 + 2
() = 0
0 = 5 + 2
2
=
5
2
, 0
5
(0)
= 5 0 + 2 = 2
(0,2)
Example 2:
= 2 + 6
() = 0
0 = 2 + 6
1 12 4 1 (6) = 2
= = 1
2 2 = 3
(2,0) (3,0)
(0)
= 02 + 0 6 = 6
(0,6)
6. VARIATIONS IN A FUNCTION.
6.1. INCREASING AND DECREASING.
7. PERIODIC FUNCTIONS.
A Periodic Function repeats Cycle may begin at any point on the graph of the
function. The Period of a function is the horizontal length a pattern of at
regular intervals. One complete pattern is a Cycle.
The only Periodic Functions studied are the Trigonometric Functions seen.
8. SYMMETRIC FUNCTIONS.