1

The Algebra of Functions and

Graphs
Definition of a Function
Domain and Range
Function Notation
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Definition of Function
A function is a relation that has at most one
value of y for each unique value of x.
{(1, 2), (3, 4), (5, 6), (7, 8)} is a function
since there is only one value of y for each
different value of x
{(1, 2), (3, 3), (1, 4), (5, 6)} is not a function
since for x = 1, there are two possible values
for y, 2 or 4.
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Domain and Range
Any set of ordered pairs is a relation
represented by (x, y):
The domain is all possible values of x.
The range is all possible values of y.
What is the domain and range of the
relation {(-1, 2), (1, 5), (3, 2), (5, -9)}
Domain: x = {-1, 1, 3, 5}
Range: y = { -9, 2, 5}
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Example #1
From the graph we see that the line extends
to the left to negative infinity and to the right
to positive infinity.
The domain is all real numbers 9.
The range is all real numbers 9.
In interval notation
domain (-,)
range is (-,)
What is the range and domain of y = x +2?
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Example #2
The set of all x values for this equation is all
Real numbers.
The set of all possible y values is all positive
numbers from zero to positive infinity.
Domain (-, )
Range [0,)
What is the domain of y = x
2
?
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Domain of a Complex Function
When dealing with complex functions we
write the domain as an exclusion.
In other words what x values are not in the
domain.
By setting the denominator equal to zero and
solving for x we find the x values that are not
part of the domain.
These x values are also the asymptotes of the
equation.
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Example #3
What is the domain of
1
( )
1
f x
x
=
+
Set the denominator NOT equal to zero
and solve
x+10 x -1

The domain is {x|x=-1}
(Notice the asymptote at x=-1)
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Example #4
What is the domain of
( ) 2 f x x = +
Set radicand greater than or equal to zero
and solve
x+2>0 x > -2

The domain is {x|x>-2}
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Function Notation
Writing an equation in function notation:
y = 4x - x
2
f(x) = 4x - x
2
Read as f of x is 4x - x
2

You can use other letters to denote
functions g(x), t(x), v(t), etc.
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Writing in Function Notation
An example:



Find the domain:
( )
2 2
1 1
4 5 4 5
x x
y f x
x x x x

= =
+ +

( )( )
{ }
2
4 5 0
5 1 0
5,1
| 5,1
x x
x x
x
x x
+ =
+ =
=
= Domain:
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Evaluating Functions
We evaluate a function the same way
we evaluate an equation substitution.
Given f (x) = x
2
+ x 5
Find f (2) = x
2
+ x 5
f (2) =(2)
2
+ (2) 5
f (2) = 4 + 2 - 5 = 1
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How to Determine a Function
By comparing the domain with range or by
graphing
Is f (x) = -2x+2 a function?
Yes, this is a function. Only one value of y for
each unique x.
Graph this on the Y= screen
x
y
-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-4
-2
0
2
4
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How to Determine a Function
How about an absolute value function
y=|x|
x
y
-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6
-4
-2
0
2
4
Yes, it is a function. For each x only one y
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Vertical Line Test
By using the Vertical Line Test we can
quickly determine if a relation is a function.
To be a function a vertical line cannot
intersect its graph at more than one point.
Is this circle a function?
y
x
NO!
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Vertical Line Test
Which Graphs are Functions?
y
x
y
x
x = y
2
y = x
2

No! Yes!
Algebraically: solve for y
y x =
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Algebraic Determination
Is this circle a function?
y
x
NO!
2 2
1 x y + =
2 2
2
1
1
y x
y x
=
=