Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 1
SET 2
Chapter 8
Functions and Their Graphs
ـدوال و رسومهـا البيـانيـةال
2 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
8.1 Introduction مقـذمـة
The temperature at which water boils depends on the elevation above sea level
(the boiling point drops as you ascend).
The interest paid on a cash investment depends on the length of time the
investment is held.
The area of a circle depends on the radius of the circle.
The distance an object travels from an initial location along a straight line path
depends on its speed.
In each of the previous cases, the value of one variable quantity, which we might
call y, depends on the value of another variable quantity, which we might call x.
Since the value of y is completely determined by the value of x, we say that:
y is a function of x.
Often the value of y is given by a rule or formula that says how to calculate it
from the variable x.
For instance, the equation A = πr2 is a rule that calculates the area A of a circle
from its radius r.
A symbolic way to say “y is a function of x” is by writing.
y = f (x) (“y equals f of x”)
In this notation:
The symbol ƒ represents the function.
The letter x, called the independent variable, represents the input value of ƒ.
The letter y, called the dependent variable, represents the corresponding
output value of ƒ at x.
Definition of Function
A function from a set D to a set Y is a rule that assigns
a unique (single) element ƒ(x) Y to each element x D.
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 3
8.2 Domain and Range المجـال و المجـال المقـابـل
The set D of all possible input values is called the domain of the function.
The set of all values of ƒ(x) as x varies throughout D is called the range of the
function. The range may not include every element in the set Y.
Think of a function ƒ as a kind of machine that produces an output value ƒ(x) in
its range whenever we feed it an input value x from its domain, and as shown if
the figure below.
A function can also be pictured as an arrow diagram. Each arrow associates an
element of the domain D to a unique or single element in the set Y.
In the figure below, the arrows indicate that ƒ(a) is associated with a,
ƒ(x) is associated with x, and so on.
4 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
Example 1. Find the domain and the range of the functions:
(a) y = x2 (b) y = 1/x (c) xy
(d) xy 4 (e) 21 xy
Solution:
(a) The formula y = x2
gives a real y-value for any real number x, so the domain is
(– ∞, ∞). The range of y = x2
is [0, ∞) because the square of any real number is
nonnegative and every nonnegative number y is the square of its own square
root, 2yy for y ≥ 0.
(b) The formula y = 1/x gives a real y-value for every x except x = 0. We cannot
divide any number by zero. The range of y = 1/x, the set of reciprocals of all
nonzero real numbers, is the set of all nonzero real numbers, since y = 1/(1/y).
(c) The formula xy gives a real y-value only if x ≥ 0. The range of xy is [0,
∞) because every nonnegative number is some number’s square root (namely, it
is the square root of its own square).
(d) In xy 4 , the quantity 4 – x cannot be negative. That is, 4 – x ≥ 0, or x ≤ 4.
The formula gives real y-values for all x ≤ 4. The range of xy 4 is [0, ∞),
the set of all nonnegative numbers.
(e) The formula 21 xy gives a real y-value for every x in the closed interval
from – 1 to 1. Outside this domain, 1 – x2 is negative and its square root is not a
real number. The values of
1 – x2 vary from 0 to 1 on the given domain, and the square roots of these values
do the same. The range of 21 xy is [0, 1].
he answer of example 1 is summarized in the table below.
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 5
Example 2. If 1276)( 2 xxxf , find: (a) )5(f (b) )4(f
(c) )(bf (d) )2( af
Solution:
(a) 12)5(7)5(6)5( 2 f
127
1235150
1235)25(6
(b) 12)4(7)4(6)4( 2 f
136
4096
1228)16(6
(c) 12)(7)(6)( 2 bbbf
1276 2 bb
(d) 12)2(7)2(6)2( 2 aaaf
22176
7262424
12714)44(6
2
2
2
aa
aaa
aaa
8.3 Graphs of Functions الـرسم البيـاني للذوال
If ƒ is a function with domain D, its graph consists of the points
in the Cartesian plane whose coordinates are the input-output
pairs for ƒ.
In set notation, the graph is: {(x, f(x)) | x D}
The graph of the function f(x) = x + 2 is the set of points with coordinates (x, y)
for which y = x + 2. Its graph is sketched in the figure below.
6 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
8.4 The Vertical Line Test إختبـار الخـط العمـودي
A function ƒ can have only one value ƒ(x) for each x in its domain.
No vertical line can intersect the graph of a function more than once.
Thus, a circle cannot be the graph of a function since some vertical
lines intersect the circle twice (see figure a below).
If a is in the domain of a function ƒ, then the vertical line x = a will
intersect the graph of ƒ in the single point (a, ƒ(a)).
The circle in figure a below, however, does contain the graphs of
two functions of x; the upper semicircle defined by the function:
21)( xxf
and the lower semicircle defined by the function
21)( xxg
(see figures b and c below).
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 7
Example 3. Which of the graphs below are graphs of
functions of x, and which are not?
Solution:
Only graph b is a graph of a function of x.
8.5 Even Functions and Odd Functions الـذوال الـزوجيـة و الـذوال الفـرديـة
Definition: Even Function and Odd Function
A function y = ƒ(x) is an:
even function of x if ƒ( x) = ƒ(x), or
odd function of x if ƒ( x) = ƒ(x),
for every x in the function’s domain.
The graph of an even function is symmetric about the y-axis.
The graph of an odd function is symmetric about the origin.
Even function (symmetric about the y-axis)
8 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
Odd function (symmetric about the origin)
Example 4. Determine whether the following functions are
even, odd, or neither:
(a) 27)( xxf (b) 64)( xxg (c) 36)( xxxh
(d) 6
4)(
x
xF
Solution:
(a) 22 7)(7)( xxxf . Since ƒ( x) = ƒ(x), f is an even function.
(b) 646)(4)( xxxg . Also, 64)64()( xxxg .
Since neither g( x) = g(x) nor g( x) = g(x) is the case,
the function g is neither even nor odd.
(c) 33 6)(6)( xxxxxh .
Thus, h( x) = h(x) and h is an odd function.
(d) 6
46
4)(
xx
xF . Since neither F( x) = F(x) nor
F( x) = F(x) is the case, the function F is neither even nor odd.
8.6 Linear Functions الخطيـة الذوال
A function of the form f(x) = mx + b, for
constants m and b, is called a linear function.
The figure below shows an array of lines f(x) = mx
Where b = 0, so these lines pass through the origin.
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 9
Constant functions result when the slope m = 0
and as shown below.
Example 5. The cost of Omantel home internet service is OMR 20
per month with download limit of 50 GB. The cost of
data downloading beyond the limit is one Rial for each
extra downloaded GB.
(a) Write the cost function of this service.
(b) Graph the function using the following values
of downloaded data:
{50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75}.
(c) Algebraically, find the cost when the total
downloaded data is 70 GB.
(d) From the graph, find how much downloaded data
cost OMR 35.
Solution:
(a) Assume x is the total downloaded data in GB.
The the cost function in OMR is:
10 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
f (x) = 20 + 1 (x – 50)
f (x) = 20 + x – 50
f (x) = x – 30
(b)
The graph of the function is as shown below:
(c) f (x) = x – 30
f (70) = 70 ‒ 30 = OMR 40
(d) From the graph of the function, the downloaded data
that costs OMR 35 is 65 GB.
8.7 Quadratic Functions الـذوال الـتربـيعـيـة
The function given by f (x) = ax2 + bx + c is called
a quadratic function. Where a, b, and c be real numbers with a = 0.
Quadratic functions are second degree polynomial functions.
The basic quadratic functions are the functions f (x) = x2
and f (x) = x2. The graph of each of these two functions
is a parabola with vertex at the origin (0,0), and the axis of
symmetry is the y-axis and as shown in the figure below.
Data (GB) 50 55 60 65 70 75
Cost (OMR) 20 25 30 35 40 45
20
25
30
35
40
45
45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Cost
(O
MR
)
Downloaded Data (GB)
f(x) = x − 30
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 11
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
y
x
f(x) = x2 − x − 6
Zeros
The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola which can cross
the x-axis once, twice, or never.
These points of intersection are called x-intercepts or zeros, and
they may be found algebraically or graphically.
The algebraic methods used for finding the zeros of quadratic
functions are: factorisation, quadratic formula, and completing
the square.
For example, the zeros of the quadratic function
f(x) = x2 – x – 6 = 0 are x = 3 and x = – 2 and
as shown in the figure below.
The standard form of quadratic functions is
12 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
f (x) = a(x – h)2 + k, a ≠ 0.
The graph of f(x) = a(x – h)2 + k is a parabola whose axis is
the vertical line x = h and whose vertex is the point (h, k).
If a > 0, the parabola opens upward.
If a < 0, the parabola opens downward.
For positive a, the quadratic function f(x) = a(x – h)2 + k has
a minimum value of k. This value is attained when x = h.
For negative a, the quadratic function f(x) = a(x – h)2 + k has
a maximum value of k. This value, also, is attained when x = h.
The maximum and minimum values of quadratic
functions may be found as follows:
1. If a > 0, f has a minimum at a
bx2
.
2. If a < 0, f has a maximum at a
bx2
.
Example 6. Graph the function y = x 2 over the interval [–2, 2]
Solution:
1. Make a table of xy-pairs that satisfy the function
rule, in this case the equation y = x2 .
2. Plot the points (x, y) whose coordinates
appear in the table.
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 13
3. Draw a smooth curve through the plotted
points. Label the curve with its equation.
Example 7. For the function f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8:
(a) draw the graph using values of x = {– 6, – 5, – 4,
– 3, – 2, – 1, 0}.
(b) find the zeros graphically.
(c) find the minimum value graphically.
(d) find the zeros algebraically.
(e) find the minimum value algebraically.
Solution:
(a)
x 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
f(x) 8 3 0 1 0 3 8
14 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
y
x
f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8
minimum
(b) The graph intersects the x-axis at x = 4 and x = 2
which are the zeros of f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8.
(c) From the graph, the function has a minimum value of 1.
This minimum value is attained when x = 3. This means
the vertex of f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8 is ( 3, 1).
(d) To find the zeros of f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8 algebraically, set f(x) = 0
and solve for x using any of the three algebraic methods used for
solving quadratic equations. Thus, and using factorasation:
f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8 = 0
(x + 2)(x + 4) = 0
Either (x + 2) = 0 which gives x = 2,
or (x 4) = 0 which gives x = 4.
Thus, the zeros of f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8 are x = 2 and x = 4
which are the same as those found from the graph.
(e) The function f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8 has a minimum at
abx2
.
3)1(2
62
a
bx
Minimum value = f(– 3) = (– 3)2 + 6(– 3)+ 8 = – 1
Thus, f(x) = x2 + 6x + 8 has a vertex at (– 3, – 1),
i.e. it has a minimum value = – 1 at x = – 3.
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 15
This result matches the result found graphically in (c).
Example 8. For the function f(x) = – x2 + 6x – 8 :
(a) draw the graph using values of
x = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}.
(b) find the maximum value algebraically.
Solution:
(a)
(b) The function f(x) = – x2 + 6x – 8 has a maximum at
abx2
.
3)1(2
62
a
bx
Maximum value = f(3) = – (3)2 + 6(3) – 8 = 1
Thus, f(x) = – x2 + 6x – 8 has a vertex at (3, 1), i.e. it has
a maximum value = 1 at x = 3. This result can be easily
recognized from the graph of the function.
x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
f(x) 8 3 0 1 0 3 8
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
y
x
f(x) = − x2 + 6x − 8
maximum
16 Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs
Example 9. A baseball is hit at a point 3 feet above the ground at a
velocity of 100 feet per second and at an angle of 45º with
respect to the ground. The path of the baseball is given by the
function f(x) = – 0.0032x2 + x + 3, where f(x) is the height of
the baseball (in feet) and x is the horizontal distance from
home plate (in feet). What is the maximum height reached by
the baseball?
Solution:
For this quadratic function, we have
30032.0)( 2 xxxf
Which implies that a = – 0.0032 and b = 1.
Because the function has a maximum when a
bx2
,
we can conclude that the baseball reaches its maximum
height when it is x feet from home plate, where x is
a
bx2
25.156)0032.0(2
1
feet.
At this distance, the maximum height is
325.156)25.156(0032.0)25.156( 2 f = 81.125 feet
8.8 Exponential Functions: األســيـة الـذوال
Functions of the form f(x) = a x, where the base a > 0
is a positive constant and a ≠ 1, are called exponential
functions.
All exponential functions have domain (– ∞, ∞) and
range (0, ∞).
The graphs of some exponential functions are shown below.
Chapter 8: Functions and Their Graphs 17
8.9 Logarithmic Functions الـذوال اللـوغـارتمـية
These are the functions f(x) = log a x, where the base
a ≠ 1 is a positive constant.
The figure below shows the graphs of four logarithmic
functions with various bases.