Functions and Limits
In this lecture we shall discuss:- What a function is
- Notation for functions
- Domain of a function
- Range of a function
Function
If a quantity y depends on another quantify x in such a way that each value of x determines exactly one value of y, we say that y is a function of x
x | Value of y = 4x + 1 |
2 | 9 |
1 | 5 |
0 | 1 |
-1/4 | 0 |
√3 | 4√3 + 1 |
In the following example y is not a function of x, as each value assigned to x determines two values of y.
y = ± √x
if x = 4
y = ±√4
y = 2 and y = -2
If we use the letter f to denote a function, then the equation
y = f(x)
y is a function of x
Although f is the symbol most commonly used to denote a function, any symbol can be used. Thus
y = F(x)
y = g(x)
y = h(x)
φ(x) = 1/(x3 - 1)
Then
φ( 3√7) = 1/(x3 = 1/( 3√7)3 - 1) = 1/(7 - 1) = 1/6
φ(1) = 1/[(1)3 - 1] = 1/0 Undefined
Example
F(x) = 2x2 - 1
F(d) = 2(d)2 - 1
F(t - 1) = 2(t - 1)2 - 1
= 2(t2 -2t + 1) -1
= 2t2 - 4t + 1
g(c) = c2 - 4c
g(x) = x2 - 4x
Range of a Function
For every value given to the independent variable from the domain in a function, we get a corresponding y value.
The set of all such y values is called the range of the function
Example
h(x) = 1/[(x - 1)/(x - 3)]
The Domain is
(-∞, 1) ∪ (1, 3) ∪ (3, +∞)
Example
h(x) = (x2 - 4)/(x - 2) = [(x - 2)(x + 2)]/(x - 2) = (x + 2) x ≠ 2
f(x) = x2
Rewrite as:
y = x2
Natural Domain
If a function is defined by a formula and there is no domain explicitly stated, then it is understood that the domain consists of all real numbers for which the formula makes sense, and the function has a real value. This is called the natural domain of the function.
Example
y = (x + 1)/(x - 1) - The natural domain is all reals except 1
Solve for y
x = (y + 1)/(y - 1) - Range is all reals except 1
Piecewise-defined Functions