QQM1043: Calculus I

TOPIC 1: FUNCTIONS

1.1 Introduction

In the 17th century, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz,

one of the inventors of calculus, introduced the
term function into the mathematical
vocabulary. The concept of a function is one
of the most basic in all of mathematics, and it
is essential to the study of calculus.

1.1.1 Function

Briefly, a function is a special type of relation

that expresses how one quantity (the output)
depends on another quantity (the input). For
example, when money is invested at some
interest rate, the interest I (output) depends on
the length of time t (input) that the money is
invested. To express this dependence, we say
that I is a “function of” t. Functional relations
like this are usually specified by a formula that
shows what must be done to the input to find
the output.

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

Definition

A function is a rule that assigns to each input

number exactly one-output number.

A variable that represents input numbers for a

function is called an independent variable. A
variable that represents output numbers is
called a dependent variable because its value
depends on the value of the independent
variable. We say that the dependent variable is
a function of the independent variable. That is,
output is a function of input.

For example, the equation

y=x–1

defines y as a function of x. This rule assigns

to each input x exactly one output x – 1, which
is y. If x = 1, then y = 3; if x = -4, then y = -2.
The independent variable is x and the
dependent variable is y.

Not all equations in x and y define y as a

function of x. For example, let
y2 = x

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

If x is 4, then
y 2 =4
y =± 4 =±2

Hence, to the input 4, there are assigned not

one, but two, output numbers: 2 and – 2 . This
violates the definition of a function, so y is not
a function of x.

Example:
Use the above definition, which of the
following equations define y as a function of
x?
a) y = 3x + 1
b) y = 2x2
c) y = 5
d) y = 2x
e) x = 3
f) y2 = x + 3
g) y = x3
1
h) y = x
i) y = x
 4 i fx> 0
j) y = 
 x + 1i f x ≤ 0

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

Usually, the letters f, g, h, F, G and so on are

used to represent function rules. For example,
y = x + 2, we may write y = f(x) = x + 2, or
simply,
f(x) = x + 2

As another example, the equation p = 2q – 1,

we write p(q) = 2q – 1.

1.1.2 Function Values

Generally, f(x), which is read “f of x”, means

the output number in the range of f that
corresponds to the input number x in the
domain. Therefore
i
npu
t
↓
f ( x)

↑
o
ut
put

Output numbers such as f(-4) are called

function values. Keep in mind that they are in
the range of f.

Example
1:

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

Find the function values for each function.

a) f ( x ) = 2 x − 1 f ( 3)
;
u +4
b) h( u ) = h( 5 ) , h( − 4 )
; , and h( u − 4)
u

c) f ( x ) = x 2 +1 ; f ( x + h)
 1 
d) f ( x) = 4 ; f ( 4), f  
100 

1.2 Domain and Range

Let’s be specific about the domain of a

function. Unless otherwise stated, the domain
consist of all real numbers for which the rule
of the function makes sense; that is, the rule
gives function values that are real numbers.

Definition
The set of all input numbers to which the rule
applies is called the domain of the function.
The set of all output numbers is called the
range.

For example,
1
h( x) =
x −6

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

Here any real number can be used for x except

6, because the denominator is 0 when x is
6(undefined). So the domain of h is understood
to be all real numbers except 6, or
domain for h(x) given by {x: x∈R, x ≠ 6}

As another example, let the equation g (t ) = 2t −1

The function g(t) is defined or is a real number

if 2t − 1 ≥ 0 . If 2t − 1 < 0 or negative, then the function
is undefined (It is an imaginary number). Since
function values must be real numbers, we must
assume that
2t −1 ≥0
2t ≥1
t ≥1 / 2

Thus the domain for g(t) given by

{t:t∈R, t≥ 1/2}
Example
2:

Find the domain and range of

( x +1)
a) f ( x) = ( x −1) b) f ( x) = 2 + x −1
c) y = 5 d) y = x + 2

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

Another way to find the domain and range of

function is by using the graph. For example,
 x, i f 0 ≤ x < 3

the graph of  x − 1 i f 3 ≤ x ≤ 5
f ( x ) =
 4 i f 5< x≤ 7

given by
y

4
Range: 0 ≤ y ≤ 4

x
3 7

Domain: 0 ≤ x ≤ 7
Example
3:

1. Find the domain for each function.

x
a) f ( x) = 2
x − x −2

b) g ( x) = 3x 2 − x + 5

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

2. Find the range for each graph.

a) y

-3

b) y

c) y

1
x

d) y

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

y=1

2 x

1.3 Types of Functions and Graphs

1.3.1 Constant Function

A function of the form y = c, where c is a

constant, is called a constant function.

For example,
y =3 y

y=3

0 x

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

As another example,
1
y = −1, f ( x) = , h(x + 3) = 2
2

1.3.2 Polynomial function

In general, a function of the form

f ( x) = an x n + an −1x n −1 + ... + a1x + a0

where n is a nonnegative integer and an , an −1,..., a0

are constant with an ≠ 0 , is called a polynomial
function(in x)

Linear Function
a) f ( x ) = x + 1 b) y = 4 − x
1
c) y = 3x d) f ( x ) = 4 x
is linear function with leading coefficient a) 1,
b) –1, c) 3 and, d) ¼

Quadratic Function
a) y = x − 3x + 3
2
b) f ( x ) = 2x 2

is a polynomial function of degree 2(quadratic)

with leading coefficient a)1, b) 2

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

Cubic Function
a) y = 2 x +13
b) f ( x ) = x 3 + 2 x 2 −1

is a polynomial function of degree 3(cubic)

with leading coefficient a)2, b) 1

1.3.3 Rational function

p( x )
A function of the form y = q( x ) that is a quotient
of polynomial functions is called a rational
function.
For example,
x2 −6x
f ( x) =
x +5
is a rational function, since the
numerator and denominator are each
polynomials.

But is also a rational function, since

g ( x) = 2 x + 3
2x + 3
1 . In fact, every polynomial function is
2x + 3 =

also a rational function.

As another example,
2 1 3x
y= , y= , f ( x) =
x +1 x −3 2x 2 −1

1.3.4 Root function

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

A function of the form y = f ( x) = n g ( x) is called a

root function (n = 2,3…).

For example,
y = x −1 , y = x + 2 , f(x) = (x – 10)1/3

1.3.5 Exponential function

The function f defined by

f(x) = bx,

Where b > 0, b ≠ 1, and the exponent x is any

real number, is called an exponential function
with base b.

1.3.6 Logarithmic function

The logarithmic function with base b, where

b > 0 and, b ≠ 1, is denoted by logb and is
defined by
y = logb x if and only if by = x

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

1.3.7 Composite function

Definition

If f and g are functions, the composition of f

with g is the function f  g defined by
( f  g )( x) = f ( g ( x)) .

For example,
F(x) = (3x – 1)9, y = ( x 3 − x 2 + 6) 5 ,
h(x) = (x2 + 1)3

1.3.8 Trigonometric function

A function of the form y = AsinBx, and

y = AcosBx, is called the basic of
trigonometric function.

However, we have another trigonometric

function:
sin x
i) The tangent function is defined by tan x = cos x
ii) The cotangent function is defined by
cos x
cot x =
sin x
1
iii) The secant function is defined by sec x = cos x

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 QQM1043: Calculus I

iv) The cosecant function is defined by

1
csc x =
sin x
1.3.9 Compound Function

Let
 1, i f− 1 ≤ s < 1,

F (s) =  0, i 1f ≤ s ≤ 2,
 s − 3 i f2 < s ≤ 8


This is called a compound function because

the rule for specifying it is given by more than
one expression.

1.3.10 Absolute-Value Function

 x, i xf ≥ 0,
The function f (x) =  is called the absolute-
 − x, i xf < 0.
value function.

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