Lesson 2.

3 Functions

A. Definition of a Function

A function is a rule. A function f is a rule that assigns to each element x in a set

A exactly one element, f(x), in a set B.
Given a relation in x and y, we say y is a function of x if for every element x
in the domain, there corresponds exactly one element y in the range.
This just means that a function cant repeat any x-coordinates
A function can repeat y-coordinates
Any set of ordered pairs (x, y) is called a relation in x and y.
The set of first components in the ordered pairs is called the domain of the
relation
The set of second components in the ordered pairs is called the range of the
relation
Hint: Domain vs. Range
o D comes before R in the alphabet, just as x comes before y
o So, D goes with x and R goes with y
When you list the numbers in the Domain and Range
o List each number only ONCE

Determine if the relation defines y as a function of x. For each function,

state the domain and range. Video tutorial
1. { (-2, 5), (-1, 3), (3, 7), (4, 12)}

2. {(-4, 4), (-3, 3), (-2, 2), (-1, 1), (-4, 0)}

Lesson 2.3 Functions

B. Determining Whether an Equation is a Function

Solve the equation for y. If you get two solutions for y, the equation is not a
function.
Some equations that are NEVER a function:
o An equation that has y2 is never a function
o An equation that has represents two solutions and is not a function

Determine whether the equation defines y as a function of x.

1.

1
x2

2. y 5 3x

3. x 2y 2

4. y 3x 3 2 x 2 1

Video tutorial

C. Function Notation
When a function is defined by an equation, we often use function notation.
For example, y = 2x can be written as f x 2 x .
f is the name of the function. (It can be g(x) or h(x), etc
x is an input value from the domain of the function
f(x) is the function value (y-value) corresponding to x.
The notation f(x) is read as f of x or the value of the function f at x
A function may be evaluated at different values of x by substituting x-values
from the domain into the function.
The ordered pairs you get are the same as (x, y), but they are (x, f(x))
So, if f(5) = 10, the ordered pair is (5, 10).

Lesson 2.3 Functions

Evaluate the function at the indicated function values.

1.

f x 2 x x 1

f 0

f 1

f x 1

f 2 x

Video tutorial

f x

Lesson 2.3 Functions

f (5)

2.

Video tutorial

f ( x) 2 x 3
f ( 4)

3.

2x 1
f x
3x 5

f 0

f x h

f x 1

f 2 x

f x

Video tutorial

f x

Lesson 2.3 Functions

D. How do you find the domain?

1) Is it a fraction?
a. Set the denominator equal to zero and solve for x.
b. Domain: , ___ ___,
2) Is it an even index radical?
a. Set the inside expression 0 and solve for x.
b. Domain: ___, or it could be , ___
3) All other expressions
a. Domain is all real numbers or: ,

Find the domain of the function in interval notation.

1. f ( x) x 7
2x 1

Video tutorial #1-4

2.

2x 1
x9

3.

f ( x)

x4
x2 9

4.

f x

x
x 9
2

Lesson 2.3 Functions

5.

f ( x) t 4 Video

6.

f ( x) 3 4 x

7.

f ( x) t 2 3t

8. hz

9.

Pt

tutorial #5-9

z 3
z2

5
5t 25

Lesson 2.3 Functions

A. Increasing, Decreasing, Constant Intervals

Use the graph to find:
(a) The intercepts, if any
(b) The domain and range
(c) The intervals on which the function is increasing, decreasing or constant

1.

Video tutorial