GENERAL MATHEMATICS -Make sure you look for minimum and maximum

values of y.
CHAPTER 1:FUNCTIONS &THEIR GRAPHS Example: y= √x+4
Lesson 1: Functions -We notice the curve is either on or above the
horizontal axis. No matter what value of x we try,
Function- a relation in which each element of the we will always get a zero or positive value of y.
domain corresponds to exactly one element of range; a We say the range in this case is y ≥ 0.
relation where each element in the domain is related to * The curve goes on forever vertically, beyond
only one value in the range by some rule; is a set of what is shown on the graph, so the range is all non-
ordered pairs (x,y) such that no two ordered pairs have negative values of y
the same x-value but different y-values. Using Relation- a rule that relates values from a set of
functional notation, we can write f(x) = y, read as “f of values (called the domain) to a second set of values
x is equal to y.” In particular, if (1, 2) is an ordered pair (called the range); set of ordered pairs (x,y).
associated with the function f, then we say that f(2) = 1 Example:
Determine whether the following are functions
a) A = {(1, 2), (2, 3), (3, 4), (4, 5)}- FUNCTION
b) B = {(1, 3), (0, 3), (2, 1), (4, 2)}- FUNCTION Relation in table Relation in graph
c) C = {(1, 6), (2, 5), (1, 9), (4, 3)}- not a function
because the first element, 1, is repeated.
Domain- set of the first coordinates or the x( the set D
is the domain of f)
When finding the domain, remember:
-The denominator (bottom) of a fraction cannot be
zero
-The number under a square root sign must be positive
in this section
Example: y= √x+4
Relation in mapping diagram
The domain of this function is x≥ −4, since x cannot be
less than −4
NOTE! -The only ones that "work" and give us an
answer are the ones greater than or equal to −4. This
will make the number under the square root positive.
-The enclosed (colored-in) circle on the point (−4,0).
This indicates that the domain "starts" at this point.
*In general, we determine the domain of each function Functions Defined by Equation
by looking for those values of the independent variable Defining a function by displaying the rule of
(usually x) which we are allowed to use. (Usually we correspondence in a table or listing all the
have to avoid 0 on the bottom of a fraction, or negative ordered pairs only works if the domain and
values under the square root sign). range are finite.
Range- set of the second coordinates or the y ( the set R Vertical Line Test for a Function - if each
is the range of f) vertical line in a rectangular coordinate system
-The range of a function is the spread of possible passes through at most one point on the graph of
the equation but if it passes through two or more
y-values (minimum y-value to maximum y-value)
points on the graph then the equation does not
-Substitute different x-values into the expression define a function
for y to see what is happening. (Ask yourself: Is y Domain of a Function- set of all inputs for the
always positive? Always negative? Or maybe not function; may be stated explicitly
equal to certain values?)
Piecewise Function- known as compound
function; defined by multiple sub-functions where
each sub-function applies to a certain interval of Example:
the main functions of the domain

Example:

Find (g – f)(x).

What is h(−1)? x is ≤ 1, so we use h(x) = 2, so

h(−1) = 2
Example:
What is h(1)? x is ≤ 1, so we use h(x) = 2, so h(1)
=2
What is h(4)? x is > 1, so we use h(x) = x, so h(4)
=4
Floor Function- a very special piecewise function.
It has an infinite number of pieces

Example:

Example:
Lesson 1.2: Evaluating a Function
Evaluating a function- finding the value of the
function for a given value of the variable
Example: f(x)=x^2−5x+3
In terms of function notation we will “ask” this
using the notation f(4). So, when there is
something other than the variable inside the
parenthesis we are really asking what the value of
the function is for that particular quantity. Lesson 1.4: Composition of Functions
Composition of Functions - another method of
* f(4)=(4)2−5(4)+3=16−20+3= −1 contributing a function from two given functions;
consists of using the range element of one function
Lesson 1.3: Operations on a Function
as the domain element of another function
Operations on a Function- for all the values of x for
The composite of function or composition of f by
which both g(x) and h(x) are defined g, is given by (g o f) (x)=g[f(x)] for all x in the
SUM: (g + h)(x)= g(x)+h(x) domain of f such that f(x) is in the domain of g
DIFFERENCE: (g-h)(x)= g(x)-h(x)
PRODUCT: (gh)(x)= g(x) . h(x)
QUOTIENT: (g/h)(x)= g(x)/h(x); h(x) #0
Example: (g º f)(x)
f(x) = 2x+3 and g(x) = x2
*(g º f)(x) = (2x+3)2
(f º g)(x) = f(g(x))
* (f º g)(x) = 2x2+3
Lesson 2.1: Rational Equations
Rational Equations- equations that contain
rational expressions; it can be solved using the We need regions that make the rational expression
techniques for performing operations with rational negative. That means the middle region. Also,
expressions and for solving algebraic equations since we’ve got an “or equal to” part in the
Example 1: Solve: 5/x−1/3=1/x. inequality we also need to include where the
Solution: We first make a note that x≠0 and then inequality is zero, so this means we include x=−1.
multiply both sides by the LCD, 3x: Notice that we will also need to avoid x=5 since
that gives division by zero.
The solution for this inequality is, −1≤x<5 [−1,5)
Lesson 2.3: Rational Functions
Rational Function- a function of the form f(x)=P
(x)/Q(x) where P&Q are polynomials. The domain
of a rational function consists of all real nos. x
except those for which the denominator is zero
x- a^- : x approaches a from the left
Check your answer by substituting 12 for x to see x- a^+ : x approaches a from the right
if you obtain a true statement. x(negative infinity): x goes to negative infinity;
that is, x decreases without bound
x(positive infinity): x goes to infinity; that is, x
increases without bound
Example: Sketch the graph of the following
function f(x)=3x+6/x−1
The y -intercept is, f(0)=6/−1=−6⇒(0,−6)
Answer: The solution is 12. The x -intercepts will be, 3x+6=0
Rational Function- a function of the form f(x)= x=−2⇒(−2,0)
P(x)/Q(x) where P and Q are polynomials. The Vertical asymptotes: x−1=0⇒x=1
domain are consists of all real nos. x except those *There are now two regions of x’s. They are x<1
for which the denominator is zero.
and x>1.
Examples: * The function R(x) = (x^2 + 4x - 1) /
(3x^2 - 9x + 2) is a rational function since the
*Now, the largest exponent in the numerator and
numerator, x^2 + 4x - 1, is a polynomial and the
denominator is 1 and so by the fact there will be a
denominator, 3x^2 - 9x + 2 is also a polynomial
horizontal asymptote at the line.
* The function R(x) = 1 / ((x - 1)(x^2 + 3)) is a
rational function since the numerator, 1, is a y=3/1=3
polynomial (yes, a constant is still a polynomial) *Now, we just need points in each region of x’s.
and the denominator, (x - 1)(x^2 + 3), is also a Since the y-intercept and x-intercept are already in
polynomial (it's just in a factored form). the left region we won’t need to get any points
Lesson 2.2: Rational Inequality there. That means that we’ll just need to get a point
rational Inequality - is an inequality which in the right region. It doesn’t really matter what
contains a rational expression. The trick to dealing value of x we pick here we just need to keep it
with rational inequalities is to always work with fairly small so it will fit onto our graph.
zero on one side of the inequality. f(2)=3(2)+6/2−1=12/1=12⇒(2,12)
Example: Solve x+1/x−5 ≤0. *Okay, putting all this together gives the following
numerator : x=−1denominator : x=5 graph.
 Oblique Asymptote- also known as diagonal or
slant asymptote; the line y= mx+b is an oblique
asymptote for the graph of f(x); if f(x) gets close to
mx+b or x gets really large or really small
Find the slant (oblique) asymptote.

*Since the polynomial in the numerator is a higher

degree (2nd) than the denominator (1st), we know
we have a slant asymptote. To find it, we must
divide the numerator by the denominator. We can
use long division to do that:

Note that the asymptotes are shown as dotted lines.

Vertical Asymptotes- the line x= a of the function

y=f(x) if y approaches (pos.&neg.)infinity as x
approaches a from the right or left
*Notice that we don't need to finish the long
Example: division problem to find the remainder. We only
We must set the denominator equal to 0 and solve: need the terms that will make up the equation of
the line. The slant asymptote is
x+5=0 y = x - 11.
*As you can see in this graph of the function, the
x = -5 curve approaches the slant asymptote y = x - 11 but
There is a vertical asymptote at x = -5 never crosses it:
Horizontal Asymptote- the line y=b of the
function y=f(x) if y approaches b as x approaches
(pos.&neg. infinity)

Example:
Both polynomials are 2nd degree, so the asymptote
is at
RULES!
- If both polynomials are the same degree, divide
the coefficients of the highest degree terms.
- If the polynomial in the numerator is a lower
degree than the denominator, the x-axis (y = 0) is
the horizontal asymptote.
- If the polynomial in the numerator is a higher
degree than the denominator, there is no
horizontal asymptote. There is a slant asymptote,
which we will study in a later lesson.
Theorem on Vertical Asymptote- If the real nos.
a is a zero of the denominator Q(x), then the graph
of f(x)= P(x)/Q(x), where P(x) and Q(x) have no
common factors, has the vertical asymptote x=a

God Bless! Review Well!