GENERAL MATHEMATICS

SUMMARY OF TOPICS: First Grading

MODULE 1: Introduction to Functions

MODULE 2: Rational Functions
MODULE 3: Inverse Functions
MODULE 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
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MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO FUNCTIONS

I. Definitions:

Relations Functions

A relation is a rule that relates values from a set A function is a relationship between two variables such that every
of values (called the domain) to a second set of input corresponds to exactly one output. That is, for every 𝑥, there
values (called the range). is exactly one 𝑦. In symbol, we have 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦, where 𝑥 is the
independent variable and 𝑦 is the dependent variable.
The elements of the domain can be imagined
as input to a machine that applies a rule to The elements of the domain can be imagined as input to a machine
these inputs to generate one or more outputs. that applies a rule so that each input corresponds to only one
output.
A relation is simply a set of ordered pairs
(𝑥, 𝑦). A function is a set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦) such that no two ordered
pairs have the same 𝑥-value but different 𝑦-values.

II. Domain and Range

Domain and Range of a Relation

The domain and range of a relation are the sets of all the 𝑥-coordinates and all the 𝑦-coordinates of ordered pairs
respectively. For example, 𝑅 = {(1,2), (2, −3), (−3,1), (−4, −4) }, then
Domain = the set of all 𝑥-coordinates = {1, 2, −3, −4 }
Range = the set of all 𝑦-coordinates = {2, −3, 1, −4 }

Domain and Range of a Function

The domain and range of a function are the components of a function. The domain of a function refers to all the
values that can go into a function without resulting in undefined values. The range of a function is the set of all its output.
For example, 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥, then
Domain = the set of all real numbers
Range = the set of all real numbers

Notations Used:
Set-builder notation: {𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 |𝑥 ≥ 0}
Interval notation: [0, ∞)

Domain and Range of Some Functions

Examples:

III. Representations

A. Set of Ordered Pairs

{(1,2), (2, −3), (−3,1), (−4, −4) }

B. Mapping
𝑥 𝑦

1 -4

2 2

-3 -3

-4 1

C. Table of Values

𝑥 𝑦
1 2
2 -3
-3 1
-4 -4

D. Equation
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1

E. Graph
 Vertical Line Test: used to determine if a graph is a function
A relation is a function if a vertical line drawn through its graph, passes through only one point.

Examples: Which of the following pairs is a function?

1. a. {(0, −5), (1, −4), (2, −3), (3, −2), (4, −1), (5, 0)}
b. {(0, −5), (1, −4), (2, −3), (2, −2), (4, −1), (5, 0)}

2.

3. a. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 b. 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 + 1

4.

IV. Evaluation of Functions

To evaluate a function is to replace (substitute) a given number or expression to the variable x.

Example: Given the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1 , evaluate 𝑓(1).

The notation 𝑓(1) means to replace 𝑥 with 1 resulting in the function value which is 3.
That is, 𝑓(1) = 2(1) + 1
𝑓(1) = 3.

Examples:
1. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 7, evaluate the following
a. 𝑓(8) b. 𝑓(−2) c. 𝑓(2𝑦) d. 𝑓(𝑥 − 1)

2. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1, find each function value

1
a. 𝑓(0) b. 𝑓(2) c. 𝑓(ℎ) d. 𝑓(𝑦 + 1) e. 𝑓(𝑥 2 − 1)
3. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 4
a. what is the value of 𝑓(𝑥) when 𝑥 = 1?
b. what is/are the value/s of x when 𝑓(𝑥) = 32, 𝑓(𝑥) = 14, 𝑓(𝑥) = 4

Evaluation of functions can also be done when a graph of a function is given.

Example: For each function, evaluate

𝑎. ) 𝑓(0), 𝑏. ) 𝑓(1.5), 𝑐. ) 𝑓(−4), 𝑑. ) 𝑓(−1) 𝑒. 𝑓(2) 𝑓. 𝑓(4)

A piece-wise function is a function which consists of two or more functions in a specified domain. The domain of a
piece-wise function is the union of the specified domains.

−3 − 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ −3 1
𝑎. 𝑓(−5) 𝑑. 𝑓 (2)
𝑥+3 𝑖𝑓 − 3 < 𝑥 ≤ 0
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = { | 𝑏. 𝑓(−1) |𝑒. 𝑓(2)
3 − 2𝑥 𝑖𝑓 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 3
𝑐. 𝑓(0) 𝑓. 𝑓(10)
0.5𝑥 − 4.5 𝑖𝑓 3 < 𝑥

𝑥 2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 1 𝑎. 𝑔(−5) 𝑑. 𝑔(−1.9999)
2. 𝑔(𝑥) = { 3 𝑖𝑓 1 < 𝑥 ≤ 2 | 𝑏. 𝑔(−1) | 𝑒. 𝑔(2)
𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 2 𝑐. 𝑔(1.05) 𝑓. 𝑔(100)

𝑥+5 𝑎. ℎ(−5)
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ −3
3. ℎ(𝑥) = { 𝑥−1 |𝑏. ℎ(−1)
4𝑥 + 9 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > −3 𝑐. ℎ(2)

V. Operation on Functions

Definitions: Sum, Difference, Product, Quotient, and Composition Functions

Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions of the variable 𝑥.

❖ Sum of functions:
The sum of 𝑓 and 𝑔, denoted by (𝑓 + 𝑔), is given by (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)

❖ Difference of functions:
The difference of 𝑓 and 𝑔, denoted by (𝑓 − 𝑔), is given by (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)

❖ Product of functions:
The product of 𝑓 and 𝑔, denoted by (𝑓 ∙ 𝑔), is given by (𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)
 ❖ Quotient of functions:
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
The quotient of 𝑓 and 𝑔, denoted by (𝑔), is given by (𝑔) (𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) , where 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
❖ Composition functions:
The composition of f and g, denoted by (𝑓𝑜𝑔), is given by (𝑓𝑜𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))

(𝑓𝑜𝑔)(𝑥) is read as “𝑓 composed with 𝑔 of 𝑥” or “𝑓 circle 𝑔 of 𝑥.”

Example:
1. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 2x + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4
𝑓
a. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) c. (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) d. ( )(𝑥) e. (𝑓𝑜𝑔)(𝑥)
𝑔

2. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 5 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 11 , find the following:

𝑓(3)
a. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(2) b. 𝑓(1) − 𝑔(0) c. 𝑓(−2) ∙ 𝑔(1) d. 𝑔(4)
e. (𝑓𝑜𝑔)(2)

3. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 2

1 𝑔
a. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(−1) b. (𝑔 − 𝑓)(4) c. (𝑔𝑓) (2) d. (𝑓 )(3) e. (𝑓𝑜𝑔)(2)

V. Mathematical Modelling
Many processes studied in the physical and social sciences involve understanding how one quantity is related to
another quantity. Determining the function that describes the dependence of one quantity on another is called
mathematical modeling.

Modeling real world problems especially those that require optimization is one of the important applications of the
study of functions.

Examples:
1. You plan to save money at a constant rate of Php100 per week. You started saving after receiving your graduation gift of
Php10,000. Express the amount you have saved, 𝑆, as a function of time, 𝑡. How much do you have after 6 weeks?

2. You are going to enclose a rectangular lot with an area of 100 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚 and a width of 𝑤 meters. Express the perimeter, 𝑃,
as function of the width 𝑤.

3. Jay and Kay drive away from school. Jay is travelling 45 kph going north and Kay travels 60 kph going east. Express the
distance, 𝑑, between Jay and Kay as a function of time, 𝑡. How far are they after 2.5 hours?

4. You plan to set up a small toy manufacturing shop for Php20,000. The raw materials for producing these toys cost
Php150 per unit. Let 𝑥 be the number of toys manufactured and sold.
a. Express the cost, 𝐶, of producing the toys in terms of 𝑥.
b. Express the revenue, 𝑅, as a function of 𝑥.
c. Express the profit, 𝑃, as a function of 𝑥.