GENERAL MATHEMATICS

I. INTRODUCTION TO FUNCTIONS

A. De4inition:
Relation – a rule that relates values from a set of values to a second set of values.
Function - a relationship between two variables such that every input corresponds to exactly one output

B. Notation:
Function Notation: y = f(x)
where y is the dependent variable and x is the independent variable.

C. Representation
Functions can be represented numerically, visually, algebraically, and verbally.

Examples and Non-examples

Numerical Presentation
Ordered Pair:
{(−2, −7), (−1, −4), (0, −1), (1,2)} {(2, −1), (−2, −1), (0, −1), (3, −1)}
{(2,1), (−2, −1), (2, −1), (−2,1)} {(0, −1), (0,3), (0,0), (0, −2)}

Table of Values

Visual Presentation
Mapping

Graph

Algebraic and Verbal Presentation

f(x) = x ! - f of x is equal to the square of x

x = y! - x is equal to the square of y

2x + y = 6 - the sum of 2x and y

Additional Examples: Determine if the following relation is a function of not.
1. y ! = x ! − 4 4. x − y = 4

2. 5.

3. 6.

D. Domain and Range

Example:
1. {(−2, −7), (−1, −4), (0, −1), (1,2)} 2. {(2, −1), (−2, −1), (0, −1), (3, −1)}

Domain: {−2, −1, 0, 1} Domain: {−2, 0, 2, 3}

Range: {−7, −4, −1, 2} Range: {−1}

3. 4.

Domain: {−1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4} Domain: {a, b, c}

Range: {−2, 2, 4, 16, 20, 46} Range: {1, 3}

5. 6.

Domain: (−∞, ∞) Domain: [−3,3)

Range: (−∞, ∞) Range: [0,3)
Additional Examples: Find the domain and range.

E. Evaluation of Functions
To evaluate a function is to replace (substitute) a given number or expression to the variable.

Examples:
1. f(x) = 2x + 1, f(1)
2. f(x) = 3x − 7
a. f(8) b. f(−2) c. f(2y) d. f(x − 1)
3. f(x) = −2x ! + 3x − 1
"
a. f(0) b. f( ) c. f(h) d. f(y + 1) e. f(x ! − 1)
!
!
4. f(x) = x − 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

Additional Examples:
1. f(x) = 6x − 5
!
a. f(5) b. f(−2) c. f f#g d. f(2n − 3)
2. f(x) = x(x + 2)
a. f(−1) b. f(3) c. f(2a) d. f(n − 3)
3. f(x) = 2x ! − 5x − 1
a. what is/are the value/s of x when f(x) = 2.
4. If f(x) = x ! − ax − 5
a. 4ind a so that f(2) = 3
 Evaluation of functions can also be done using a graph.

Example:

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

Piecewise – de4ined function of piecewise function is a function that uses more than one formula or
equation to determine the output.

Example:

1. f(−5) 3. f(−0) 5. f(2) 7. f(7)

2. f(−2) 4. f(1) 6. f(4)

Additional Examples:
−3 − x if x ≤ −3
x + 3 if − 3 < x ≤ 0
1. f(x) = h
3 − 2x if 0 < x ≤ 3
0.5x − 4.5 if 3 < x

"
a. f(−5) d. f f!g
b. f(−1) e. f(2)
c. f(0) f. f(10)

x ! if x ≤ 1
2. g(x) = k3 if 1 < x ≤ 2
x if x > 2

a. g(−5) d. g(1.99999)
b. g(1) e. g(2)
c. g(1.05) f. g(100)
 $%&
if x ≤ −3
3. h(x) = n$'"
4x + 9 if x > −3

a. h(−5) b. h(−1) c. h(2)

F. Operation on Functions
De4initions: 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 (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:
( ( (($)
The quotient of f and g, denoted by f)g, is given by f)g (x) = )($) , where g(x) ≠ 0
Composition functions:
The composition of f and g, denoted by (fog), is given (fog)(x) = f(g(x))
(fog)(x) is read as “f composed with g of x” or “f circle g of x.”

Examples:

1. Given f(x) = x + 2 and g(x) = x ! − 4

)
a. (f + g)(x) b. (f − g)(x) c. (fg)(x) d. ( )(x)
(
e. (fog)(x) f. (gof)(x) g. (fof)(x) h. (gog)(x)

2. Given f(x) = 2x ! + x − 3, g(x) = x ! − 3x − 4, and h(x) = x !

)
a. (f + g)(x) b. (g − h)(x) c. (fg)(x) d. ( ( )(x)
e. (hof)(x) f. (hogof)(x) g. (gohog)(x)

3. Given f(x) = 2x ! + x − 3 and g(x) = x ! − 3x − 4 , 4ind

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

4. Given p(x) = x ! − 3x − 4 and q(x) = 2x ! + 5x + 2, 4ind

" -
a. (p + q)(−1) b. (q − p)(4) c. (qp) f!g d. (.)(3)
e. (poq)(2) f. (pop)(2)

Additional Examples:
1. f(x) = 2x − 1, g(x) = x ! , h(x) = 3
)
a. (f + g)(x) b. (g − h)(x) c. (fgh)(x) d. ( ( )(x)
e. (fog)(x) f. (gof)(x) g. (fof)(x) h. (gog)(x)

2. f(x) = x ! − 1, g(x) = 2x + 3, h(x) = −2x

a. (gof)(−1) b. (foh)(0) c. (gofoh)(1)
G. 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.

1. After your graduation from junior high school, you and your sister planned to save money for a vacation after a
year. You started at a constant rate of Php100 per week in addition to your graduation gift of Php20,000 while your
sister saves Php500 a week.
a. Express your saving as a function of time.
b. Express your sister’s saving as a function of time.
c. How much is your total savings after 6 weeks?

2. You are going to enclose a rectangular lot with an area of 100 sq. m.
a. Express the perimeter, P, as function of the width w.
b. How much wire is needed if the width is 5m?

3. Jay and Kay drive away from school. Jay is traveling 45 kph going north and Kay travels 60 kph going east.
a. Express the distance, D, between Jay and Kay as a function of time, t.
b. 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 and the selling price is Php275. 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 pro4it, P, as a function of x.
d. How many toys should be produced and sold to breakeven?

5. A roller coaster is a perfect example of a real-world object that is designed using piecewise functions. The
beginning of one particular roller coaster design is modelled by the given piecewise function and is shown by the
graph. Provide some generalization.
 EXERCISES

A. EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONS: Evaluate the functions.

1. g(x) = x ! − 5x + 2, 4ind
a. g(−1) b. g(0) c. g(x − 2)

2. h(y) = −y ! + 4y + 1, 4ind
"
a. h(−2) b. h(2) c. h f!g

3. j(z) = z ! − 2z, 4ind

#
a. j(−5) b. j(2a) c. j f− ,g

4. In f(x) = 15 + x, 4ind x when

a. f(x) = 7 b. f(x) = 3x c. f(x) = −4x + a

5. In f(x) = ax ! − 5x − 3, 4ind a when

" "&
a. f f,g = − , b. f(−3) = 30 c. f(6) = 9

6. Given the graph of the piecewise function, 4ind

a. f(−3) c. f(0) e. f(1.5)

b. f(−1) d. f(1) f. f(2)

−3 if x < −2
x ! if − 2 ≤ x ≤ 2
7. Evaluate the piecewise function f(x) = h
−|x − 4| if 2 < x ≤ 6
−3 if x > 6

a. f(−100) c. f(6) e. f(−1) g. f(3)

b. f(−3) d. f(100) f. f(0) h. f(4)

B. OPERATION ON FUNCTIONS: Perform the indicated operation.

1. Given the functions, 4ind

f(y) = 2y # − y ! g(y) = 18y − 9 h(y) = y + 2

/
a. (f + g − h)(y) b. (gh)(y) c. ())(y) d. (hof)(y)
" ! )
e. f(2) + g f− !g f. (gh)(#) g. (/)(3) h. (hogof)(1)

C. MATHEMATICAL MODELLING: Formulate the function before solving the problem.

1. A city mayor wishes to convert a barren land into a circular park. What is the area of the park if the intended
diameter is 20m?

2. A shampoo is sold at Php350 per bottle. How much is the total sales if 100 bottles are sold?

3. Martha bought oranges at Php12 per piece to sell in her fruit stand. How much pro4it will she receive if she sells
12 oranges at Php20 each?

4. How many square meters of carpet is needed to cover the entire 4loor of a 5x5 m room?
Answers:
A. Evaluation of Functions
"" ## "& 1'"&
1a. 8, b. 2, c. x ! − 9x + 16, 2a. -11, b. 5, c. − , , 3a. 35, b. 4a! − 4a, c. "0, 4a. -8, b. ! , c. &
!
5a. 8, b. 2, c. #, 6a. 3, b. 1, c. 0.5, d. 0.75, e. 3, f. 3, 7a. -3, b. -3, c. -2, d. -3, e. 1, f. 0, g. -1, h. 0

B. Operation on Functions
2
1a. 2y # − y ! + 17y − 7, b. 18y ! − 27y − 18, c. 3! , d. 18y − 7, e. -6, f. -10, g. 1, h. 11

C. Mathematical Modelling
1. A = πr ! , 2. S=350x, 3. P=8x, 4. A = s! References:
onlinemathlearning.com
algebra1.thinkport.org
ximera.osu.edu
Mathematics Skills for Life by Abiva