BEMA-2A

Domain and the Range of a Function

1. Linear Function – first degree equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏

Examples of Linear Functions:
a. 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 8 c. 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 10 = 0
b. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2 d. 5𝑦 − 7𝑦 = 12

Ø The domain of a Linear Function is always the set of real numbers which can be written as:
Domain={𝑥/𝑥 ∈ ℝ}read as”set of x, such that x is an element of real numbers” and
Range={𝑦/𝑦 ∈ ℝ}read as “set of y, such that y is an element of real numbers”

2. Quadratic Function – second degree equation in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 ! + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 where𝑎 ≠ 0.

The graph of a Quadratic Function is a parabola opening upward if 𝑎 > 0 and opening
downward if 𝑎 < 0.

Examples of Quadratic Functions:

a. 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! − 6𝑥 + 14 b. 𝑦 = −𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 9

Ø The domain of a Quadratic Function is always the set of real numbers, too.
Domain={𝑥/𝑥 ∈ ℝ}
"#$%&!
Range=<𝑦/𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦 ≤ ? if 𝑎 < 0 and
"#
"#$%&!
Range=<𝑦/𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦 ≥ ? if 𝑎 > 0
"#
Ø Since the domain of all quadratic Functions are all {𝑥/𝑥 ∈ ℝ}, let us only solve and
determine the range of our two examples of Quadratic Functions above.
Ø Solving for the range of 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! − 6𝑥 + 14
Ø In the given equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! − 6𝑥 + 14, 𝑎 = 1 𝑏 = −6 𝑐 = 14
Ø Since 𝑎 > 0, we use
"#$%&!
Range=<𝑦/𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦 ≥ ?
"#
"#$%&!
𝑦≥ simply substitute the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 in the equation
"#
4(1)(14) − (−6)!
𝑦≥
4(1)
56 − 36
𝑦≥
4
20
𝑦≥
4
𝑦≥5

Ø Therefore given 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! − 6𝑥 + 14, we have

Ø Range={𝒚/𝒚 ∈ ℝ, 𝒚 ≥ 𝟓} read as “set of y, such that y is an element of real numbers
and y is greater than or equal to five”

PREPARED BY: BENJIE J. GUEVARRA

 BEMA-2A

Solving for the range of 𝑦 = −𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 9

Ø In the given equation 𝑦 = −𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 9, 𝑎 = −1 𝑏=4 𝑐=9

Ø Since 𝑎 < 0, we use
"#$%&!
Range=<𝑦/𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦 ≤ ?
"#
"#$%&!
𝑦≤ simply substitute the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 in the equation
"#
4(−1)(9) − (4)!
𝑦≤
4(−1)
−36 − 16
𝑦≤
−4
−52
𝑦≤
−4
𝑦 ≤ 13
Ø Therefore given 𝑦 = −𝑥 ! + 4𝑥 + 9, we have
Ø Range={𝒚/𝒚 ∈ ℝ, 𝒚 ≤ 𝟏𝟑} read as “set of y, such that y is an element of real numbers
and y is less than or equal to thirteen”

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3. Rational Function-is a function expressed as , where P and Q are polynomials and 𝑄 ≠ 0.
(
In dealing with Rational Functions, one very important thing to remember always is:
Denominators must not be equal to zero or division by zero is not allowed!

Examples of Rational Functions:

! %"&$
a. 𝑦 = "#$ b. 𝑦 = !"#'
Ø To determine the domain of a Rational Function, we look for the value of x where our
denominator becomes zero. That is, 𝑥 − 3 = 0. Thus, 𝑥 = 3 ( 3 is a restriction, meaning
it can’t be used as a value for x because it will make the denominator zero).
Ø So, excluding 𝑥 = 3, the domain is {𝒙/𝒙 ∈ ℝ, 𝒙 ≠ 𝟑}
Ø To determine the range we solve for x in terms of y
!
Ø That is given 𝑦 = we need to isolate x on one side. Since x is in the denominator, we
)%*
simplify first our equation making it:

𝑦(𝑥 − 3) = 2

𝑥𝑦 − 3𝑦 = 2
𝑥𝑦 = 3𝑦 + 2
3𝑦 + 2
𝑥=
𝑦
Ø Since the denominator should not be equal to zero, 𝑦 ≠ 0
Ø Therefore the range is {𝒚/𝒚 ∈ ℝ, 𝒚 ≠ 𝟎}

PREPARED BY: BENJIE J. GUEVARRA

 BEMA-2A

4. Functions involving radicals

Examples of Functions involving Radicals:

a. 𝑦 = √𝑥
b. 𝑦 = −√𝑥
c. 𝑦 = √3𝑥 + 15
d. 𝑦 = −√−𝑥 + 6

Ø To get the domain, the radicand should be set greater than or equal to zero since the
square root of a negative number doesn’t exist in the set of real numbers.
Ø Let us consider one of our examples, 𝑦 = √3𝑥 + 15
Ø To get the domain, 3𝑥 + 15 ≥ 0
3𝑥 ≥ −15
𝑥 ≥ −5

Therefore, Domain:{𝑥/𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≥ −5, }

Ø To get the range, we analyze the given function. Since y is nonnegative, it implies that
Range:{𝑦/𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦 ≥ 0}
Ø Let’s have another example: 𝑦 = −√−𝑥 + 6
Ø Getting the domain, we have
−𝑥 + 6 ≥ 0
−𝑥 ≥ −6
𝑥≤6

Note: that every time we divide the terms of an inequality by a negative number the inequality
symbol changes. In this case, from the symbol greater than or equal to ( ≥) into less than or
equal to(≤).

Therefore, Domain: {𝑥/𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≤ 6}

Ø To get the range, notice that in the given function, y is zero or a negative real number.
Thus,
Range: {𝑦/𝑦 ∈ ℝ, 𝑦 ≤ 0, }

Practice: Determine the Domain and the Range of the following functions.

1. 𝑦 = 8𝑥 − 3
2. 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! + 5
!)+,
3. 𝑦 =
)%-
4. 𝑦 = √2𝑥 + 10

PREPARED BY: BENJIE J. GUEVARRA