A FUNCTION

A function is a rule of correspondence

between two non-empty sets, such that, each
domain corresponds to one and only one
range.

NOT A FUNCTION

DOMAIN - input or independent variable. It is

all of the values of x.

RANGE - output or the dependent variable. It

is all of the values of y.

Example: A = {(1, a), (2, b), (3, c), (4,d), (5, e)}
Domain - the numbers {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
Range - the letters {a, b, c, d, e}

Relation - a set of ordered pairs

Function - a relation such that for each value DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNCTIONS:
in the range, there is exactly one value in the 1. Polynomial - only has positive integer
domain. exponents.

Functions in a Set of Ordered Pairs

A = {(2, 4), (3, 9), (5, 25), (7, 49)}

Not Functions
B = {(1, 0), (0,2), (-4, 0), (0,3)}

2. Constant - the output value is the same

for input value.

Any letter can be used as the name of the

function, for example g(x) read as “g of x” as 3. Linear Function - its graph is a straight
well as f(x) read as “f of x.” line.

VERTICAL LINE TEST - a test used to

determine if a graph is a function. It is a
function when all the vertical lines intersect the
graph at exactly one point.
 4. Quadratic Function - the highest 4. Many to Many (Not a Function)
exponent is 2.

5. Cubic Function - highest exponent is 3.

DOMAIN - if the domain is not stated and

restricted, it is understood that the domain is
the set of all real numbers ℝ.

RANGE - set of all possible values shown on

6. Piecewise - scattered the y-axis.

If the graph
continues beyond
the portion of the
graph we can see,
the values are
greater than the
visible values
(infinity).

Domain - left to right

Functions can be represented through Range - bottom to top
mapping using a connection of arrows.
1. One to One (Function) Looking at the graph, we can see that the
graph extends from -5 to the right without
bound, so the domain is [-5, -∞).1 For vertical,
the range is 5 and below, so the range is (-∞,
5].

Example:
2. One to Many (Not a Function)
Domain:
[-3, 1]

Range:
[-4, 0]

Restrictions:
3. Many to One (Function)
1. Radicals
with even indices. Radicands must be
nonnegative.
2. Fractions. Denominators must not equal
zero.

1
Use brackets [] for included and parentheses () for
those that are not included.
 Example:
1.) Given f(x) = 2x - 4, find f(3)

f(3) = 2(3) - 4
=6-4

2.) Given g(x) = 3x2 + 7, find g(-3)

g(-3) = 3(-3)2 + 7
= 3(9) + 7
= 27 + 7

PIECEWISE FUNCTION - defined by two or

more equations.

{ 4x + 5; x < 2
f(x) ={ 3x - 8; x ≥ 2

a.) f(-2) = 4(-2) + 5 = -3

b.) f(2) = 3(2) - 8 = 6 - 8 = -2
c.) f(5) = 3(5) - 8 = 15 - 8 = 7

f(x) = 2x + 5; g(x) = x2 - 4

f+g = 2x + 5 + x2 -4

f - g = 2x+5 - (x2 - 4)

The y-axis must be greater than or equal to 0 (f)(g) = (2x + 5)(x2 - 4)

as the graph does not enter the negative = 2x3 - 8x + 5x2 - 20
territory of the y-axis.

x2 - 4 =/= 0
(x+2) (x-2) =/= 0
*get the factor of x2 - 4 then transpose.

Replace every x in the function rule with the

given replacement value then simplify.
 LCD:

- Substituting a function to all variables

in another function.
EXAMPLE:

f(x) = 3x - 4; g(x) = x2 - 3

g〇f(x) = g(3x-4)
= (3x - 4)2 - 3
= 9x2 - 12x - 12x + 16 - 3

Symbol Read As

> Greater than

< Less Than

≥ Greater than or
Equal to

≤ Less Than or
STEPS IN SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS:
Equal to
1. Find the LCD or least common
denominator of all denominators in the [] Included
equation.
() Not Included
2. Clear the fractions by multiplying both
sides of the equation by the LCD. STEPS IN SOLVING RATIONAL
3. Solve the resulting equation. INEQUALITIES:
1. Move all the terms to one side and
SOLUTIONS OF A RATIONAL EQUATION: simply the equation.
1. One Solution - One value of the 2. Find the roots by equating the
variable numerator to 0 and the denominator to
2. Many Solutions - more than one value find the vertical asymptotes
of the variable 3. Locate the values you found in step 2 on
3. Extraneous Solution - undefined the real number line.
4. Pick a test point for every region in the
EXAMPLE: number line.

EXAMPLE:

Two ways: LCD or Cross Multiplication

Cross Multiplication: x-1=0|x=1
3x - 1 = 2x X + 1 = 0 | x = -1
3x - 2x = 1
 FINDING HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
Simply look at the highest degree of the
Intercepts are where the line meets the point numerator and denominator. There are 3 rules:
on the y-axis or x-axis. 1. If n < d, the horizontal asymptote is
y = 0.
2. If n = d, get the leading coefficient of
the numerator (a) and denominator (b)

then substitute to y = . Simplify if

possible.

3. If n > d, there is no horizontal

Cross multiply asymptote.
X intercept Y - intercept
0=3-x x=0
x=3 - substitute then solve

x int: (3, 0)

y =3
y int: (0, 3)

Finding the Vertical Asymptote

The x values should equate to 0 when

substituted. Then get the zeroes of the
denominator.
Equation - g(x) = x2 - 2

Simplify - y = x3 - 2

Transpose - x = y3 - 2

Transpose - x + 2 = y3

Cube both sides - 3√y - 3√x + 2

y = 3√x + 2