CHAPTER 1 FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS

1.1 Functions
In this section we’re going to make sure that you’re familiar with functions and function
notation. An equation will be a function if for any x in the domain of the equation (the
domain is all the x’s that can be plugged into the equation) the equation will yield exactly
one value of y.This is usually easier to understand with an example.
Next we need to take a quick look at function notation.  Function notation is nothing
more than a fancy way of writing the y in a function that will allow us to simplify
notation and some of our work a little.
 Let’s take a look at the following function
Using function notation we can write this as any of the following.

Using function notation we represent the value of the function at x=-3 as f(-3).  Function
notation gives us a nice compact way of representing function values. For our function
this gives,

Let’s take a look at some more function evaluation.

Example 2  Given  find each of the following.

(a)    (b)     (c)    (d)    

Answers:
2 2
(a) -3. (b) -171, (c) −x +12 x −38 ( d) −16 x +32 x −18

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1.2 The graph of a function

When both the input (independent variable) and the output (dependent
variable) are real numbers, a function can be represented by a coordinate
graph. The input is plotted on the horizontal x-axis and the output is plotted on
the vertical y-axis.

A helpful first step in graphing a function is to make a table of values. This is

particularly useful when you don’t know the general shape the function will
have. You probably already know that a linear function will be a straight line,
but let’s make a table first to see how it can be helpful.

When making a table, it’s a good idea to include negative values, positive
values, and zero to ensure that you do have a linear function.

Example

Graph f (x )=x+ 2

1.3 Linear functions

A function of the form f (x )=mx+ c , for constants m and b, is called a linear function.
Figure 1.14 (a) shows an array of lines f ( x )=mx where b=0 , so these lines pass
through the origin.

1.3.1 Piece wise defined functions

Sometimes a function is defined differently on different parts of its domain When
functions are defined by more than one equation , they are called piece-wise
function. For piece wise functions, different formulas are used in different regions
of the domain

Example 6

P(t)=¿ {
−11
60
t+15 if 0≤t≤60 ¿ ¿¿¿ ¿
1. .If ¿ find p(30 ) and p(80) (9.5, 8)

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1.3.2 THE SLOPE OF A NON VERTICAL LINE

(a) The slope of a line measures the change in y also known as the rise ,
divided by a change in x also know as the run. The slope indicates the steepness and the
direction of a line . The greater the absolute value of the slope, the steeper the line. A
positively sloped line moves up from left to right ; a negatively slopped line moves down.
The slope of a horizontal line , y=k ( constant ) , is 0. : the slope of a vertical line , x= a ( a
constant ) is undefined.
For a line passing through points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) the slope m can be expressed in any of
the four following ways:

m= = = =
Example:

1. Find the slope of the line determined by the points and .

2. Find the slope of the line determined by the points and .

Solution: Attend lecture.

1.3.3 Slopes of Parallel and Perpendicular lines

(a) When two lines do not intersect they are said to be parallel. Two non-vertical
lines are parallel if and only if their slopes are equal and they have different y intercepts
(b) Two non-vertical lines are perpendicular if and only if the product of their slopes is –1.

1.3.4 Writing Equations of Lines

(a) Equation of a vertical line is x=a

(b) the point –slope form of an equation is y-y1= m (x-x1)
(c) Equation of a horizontal line is y =b
(d) Slope intercept form of an equation of a line is y= mx + c
(e) The general form of an equation is Ax + By = C

Example:

1. Find the equation of a line that has slope and y-intercept (0, 1).

2. Find the equation of a line that has slope and y-intercept (0, 2).

3. Find the equation of a line that has slope and y-intercept (0, -5).
Solution: Attend lecture.

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Equation of a straight line: Point-Slope Form

The point-slope form for the equation of a line is

Its graph passes through the point , and its slope is m.

Example:

1. Find the equation of a line that has slope and passes through the point (-1, 2).

2. Find the equation of a line that has slope and passes through the point .
3. Find the equation of a line that has slope and passes through the point (-1, -1).

4. Find the equation of the line that passes through the points and .
5. Find the equation of the line that passes through the points and .

1. Determine if the lines and are parallel.

2. Find the equation of the line that passes through the point and is parallel to the line
.
y-y1=m(x-x1)
y-1=3(x-1)
y-1=3x-3
y = 3x-2

3. Find the equation of the line parallel to that passes through the point .

1. Write in slope-intercept form the equation of a line perpendicular to the line with the
equation and passing through (3,0)
-x+4y = -12
4y = x-12
y = 1/4x – 3
m=1/4
y-y1 = m(x-x1)
y-0 = -4(x-3)
y-0 = -4x -3

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 y = -4x -3

2. Find the equation of the line that passes through the point and is perpendicular to the
line .

3. Find the equation of the line that passes through the point and is perpendicular to the

line .
4. Write an equation of the line that is perpendicular to the line and that passes
through the point .

PROBLEM SET 1.1.2

Equation of a straight line: Slope-Intercept Form

Write each equation in slope-intercept form; give the slope and y-intercept.

1. 3.

2. 4.

Equation of a straight line: Point-Slope Form

Write the point-slope form of the line through the given point with the indicated slope.

1. 3.
2. 4.

Parallel

1. Write the equation of the line that is parallel to and with y-intercept 6.

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2. Write the equation of the line parallel to that passes through the point .

Perpendicular

Write the equation in slope-intercept form of the line that is perpendicular to the given
line and passes through the indicated point.

1. 3.
2. 4.

ANSWERS FOR PROBLEM SET 2.1.3

Equation of a straight line: Slope-Intercept Form

1. 3.

2. 4.

Equation of a straight line: Point-Slope Form

1. 3.
2. 4.

ParalleL

1. 2.

Perpendicular

1. 3.

2. 4.

Example:
1. The average daily cost for a room at a city hospital has risen by $59.82 per year
for the years 1990 to 2000. If the average cost in 1996 was $1128.50 , what will

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 be the equation that describes the average cost during this decade as a function of
the number of years , since 1990? (59.82x+769.58)

1.4 . Applications and Linear Functions

Many situations in economics can be described by using straight lines.

Note: One of the most useful equation in business is the revenue equation , which is obtained by
price * quantity , which is written as r= pq , where r is the revenue, p is the price and q is the quantity .
If C(x) is the total cost of producing x units, then the profit derived from their sale at the unit price p is
given by the function P( x )=R( x )−C( x )=xD( x )−C ( x )

1.4.1 Linear Functions

A function f is a linear function if and only if f(x) can be written in the form f(x) = ax + b, where a and b
are constants and a ¿ 0

Examples
1. The cost of a school banquet is $95 plus $15 for each person attending. Write an equation that
gives total cost as a function of the number of people attending. What is the cost for 77 people?
( y = 15x + 95; $1250)
2. Billy plans to paint baskets. The paint costs $14.50. The baskets cost $7.25 each. Write an
equation that gives the total cost as a function of the number of baskets made. Determine the cost
of four baskets. 5. C(x) = 7.25x + 14.50; $43.50

Exercises Chapter 1
1. Evaluate the following functions

(a) If f (x )=√ x2 −4 , find f (9) ,

x −7
f (x )=
(b) If x+ 2 , findf(0) and f(-3)
7
− , 10
Answer: (a) √ 77 , (b) 2

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 f (x)=¿ { x2+3 if x<0 ¿ ¿¿¿ ¿
2. . If ¿ find f(-5)and f(6) Answer : 28, 33
3. A company producing jigsaw puzzles has fixed cost $ 6000 and variable costs $ 2 per
puzzle. The company sells the puzzle for $ 5 each
(a) find a formula for the cost function
(b) Find a formula for the revenue function
(c) Find a formula for the profit function
Answer: (a) 6000 + 2q (b) 5q (c) 3q-6000

5. Suppose the weekly demand function for large pizzas at a local pizza parlor is
q
p=26−
40
(a) If the current price is $ 18.50 per pizza, how many pizzas are sold each week?
(300)
(b) If 200 pizzas are sold each week, what is the current price? (21)
(c )If the owner wants to sell 400 pizzas each week , what should the price be? (16)

6. Suppose the yearly demand function for a particular actor to star in a film is
1,200, 000
p=
q , where q is the number of films he stars in during the year. If the actor
currently charges $600,000, how many films does he star in each year? If he wants to
star in four films per year , what should his price be ? (2, : 300,000)

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