NAME:_______________________________________ the function at x.

MODULE #3: EVALUATING FUNCTIONS SECTION:____________________________________

The function notation y=f(x) tells you that y is a

EXAMPLE #2:
function of x. If there is a rule relating y to x, such as
y = 3x + 1, then you can also write: 𝑥 2 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝐼𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) {
5𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0,
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 1
find: a. f(-4) b. f(3)

The name of the f(x) is read as “f of x”, and SOLUTION

function is f. Other letters this represents the value of a. To find f(-4), we let x=-4. Since -4 is less than 0, we
may be used to name the function at x.
use the first line of the function. Thus,
functions, especially g and h
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2
Think of the domain as = (−4)2 + 2
the set of function’s input = 18
values and the range as Input x
the set of the function’s b. To find f(3), we let x=3. Since 3 is greater than 0, we
use the second line of the function. Thus,
output values as shown in
figure on the right. The 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 + 2
input represented by x = 5(3) + 2
= 17
and the output by f(x).
The special notation f(x), Output y DEFINITION
represents the value of Even and Odd Functions
the function at the The function f is an even function if and only if
number x f(-x) = f(x), for all x in the domain of f.
The right-hand side of the equation of an even function
DEFINITION does not change even if x is replaced with –x.
Evaluating functions means replacing the variable in
The function f is an odd function if and only if
the function, in this case “x” , with a values from the
f(-x) = -f(x), for all x in the domain of f
function’s domain and computing for the result.
Every term in the right-hand side of the equation of an
odd function changes sign if x is replaced by –x.
EXAMPLE #1:
If f(x) = x + 8, evaluate each.
EXAMPLE #3:
Identify each function as even, odd, or neither
a. f(4) b. f(-2)
c. f(-x) d. f(x+3)
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥^5 b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
a. Replacing x with 4, we have In each case, replace x with –x and simplify. If the right-
hand side of the equation stays the same, the function
f(4) = 4 + 8 or 12 is even. If every term on the right changes sign, the
b. Replacing x with -2, we have function is odd.
a. Use 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 5
f(-2) = -2 + 8 or 6 𝑓(−𝑥) = (−𝑥)5 Replace x with -x
c. Replacing x with –x, we have = −𝑥 5

f(-x) = -x + 8 There is only one term on the right side of the

equation𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 5 . The term changes sign when x was
d. Replacing x with x + 3, we have replaced by –x. Since f(-x) = -f(x), f is an odd function.

f(x+3) = x + 3 + 8 or x + 11 b. Use 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2

𝑔(−𝑥) = 3(−𝑥)4 − 2(−𝑥)2 Replace x with -x
REMEMBER = 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2
a. f(x) means “ the value of f at x”. It does not mean
“f times x” The right-hand side of the equation of the given
function, 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2 , did not change when x
b. Letter other than f such as G and H or g and h can was replaced by –x. Since g(-x) = g(x), g is an even
also be used. function.
c. f is the name of the function and f(x) is the value of