Math 27 - Section 8.

2 - Page 1

Section 8.2 Graphs of Functions

I.

Applying the Vertical Line Test

A.
A relation is a function if it passes the Vertical Line Test: There will be no
vertical line that will intersect the graph of the relation in more than one point.
B.

To determine if a relation (graph) is the graph of a function:

1. Examine the graph to see if any vertical line will intersect the graph in more
than one point.
2. Any time that there is an open dot, that means that that particular point is not
part of the graph.
3. Note that if the relation is a set of ordered pairs, we just have to make sure
that none of the different ordered pairs have the same x-coordinate.

C.

Use the Vertical Line Test to identify graphs in which y is a function of x.

3.
Page 569, #2
Answer: Yes it is a function, it passes the vertical line test. Note that the
domain = ( , ) and the range = ( , ) .
4.
Page 569, #6
Answer: Not a function. It is a vertical line and so fails the vertical line
test. We can't be sure of the domain other than it is some positive number.
The range = ( , ) .
5.
Now you try one:
Page 569, #5
Answer: Yes it is a function.

II.

To further stress that this notation means "What is y when x is whatever?", let's take a
look at a graph where we don't know the formula.

Using the graph, find the indicated function value.

1. f(1)
To do this, we need to look at the
graph and decide what is y when
x is 1.
Answer: f(1) = 2
2. f(-3)
Again, what is y when x is -3?
Answer: f(
3) = 1
3. Now you try one:

f(3)

Answer: f(3) = 3

Copyright 2009 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.

y = f(x)

Math 27 - Section 8.2 - Page 2

4.

f(1)
We have to be careful with this one as it appears that the function has two yvalues when x = 1. But in truth, since one of them is an hollow dot (y = 1),
that y-value is not part of the function. The y-value corresponding to the solid
dot is the answer that we seek.

Answer: f(
1) = 0 Note that this type of function is called a discontinuous function.
III.

Determining the domain and range from a graph.

A.

Remember that the domain represents the values of x, which on a Cartesian

Coordinate graph means left and right.

B.

Remember that the range represents the values of y, which on a Cartesian

Coordinate graph means up and down.

C.

When we write the domain and/or range, we always write them from the smallest
number to the largest number.

D.

1.

On the domain, this means from the left to the right.

2.

On the range, this means from the bottom to the top.

Examples Use the graph of each function to identify its domain and its range.
Write your answers in set-builder notation and in interval notation.
1.

Page 569, #36.

First, lets work on the domain.
What is the smallest number that x is in the graph? (Answer: x = 5)
Look at how far to the left the graph goes. Notice that there is an open
dot. This means that when we write an inequality, there will not be an
equal involved on that side; and a parentheses when we write the
interval. So now we know what the left-hand side will look like.
Now, how far to the right does the graph go, what is the value for x
there? (Answer: x = 0) Notice that on the right, there is a closed dot,
so that when we write the inequality, we will use an equal. Also, we will
use a square bracket when we write the interval.

So putting this all together, we can now write the domain:

Answer: Domain = {x | 5 < x < 0}
Set-builder notation
Domain = (
5, 0]
Interval notation.
Now lets find the range.
Find the bottom of the graph. What is the value of y at that point?
(Answer: y = 3) Now find the top of the graph. What is the value of y
at that point? (Answer: y = 3) Now lets write the range:
Answer: Range = {y | 3 < y < 3}
Set-builder notation
Range = [
3, 3)
Interval notation.

Copyright 2009 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.

Math 27 - Section 8.2 - Page 3

2.

Page 570, #42

Again, first we will work on the domain.

How far to the left does the graph go? Notice that it has an arrow on the
end, this means that it keeps going, on to negative infinity ( ), which it
will never reach. How far to the right does it go? Again, notice that it
has an arrow on the end, this means that it keeps going, on to positive
infinity ( ), which it also will never reach. So what does this mean? It
means that the domain is all real numbers, which we write as:
Answer: Domain = {x | x is a real number}
Set-builder notation
Domain = (, )
Interval notation
Now how about the range? Find the bottom of the graph. What is the
value of y there? (Answer: y = 0) Now find the top of the graph. It has
an arrow on it, which means that it keeps on going, on to positive infinity
( ). So now we can write the range:
Answer: Range = {y | y > 0} Set-builder notation
Interval notation
Range = [0, )
3.
Now you try page 570, #43
Answer: Domain = {
5, 2, 0, 1, 3}
Range = {2}

Copyright 2009 by John Fetcho. All rights reserved.