MATHEMATICS

FUNCTIONS & THEIR APPLICATIONS

Functions and Their Applications: Introduction to Functions
What is a Function?
• A function is a specific relationship between a set of inputs and a set of possible
outputs, where each input is related to exactly one output.
• Notation: A function is often denoted as f(x)f(x), where:
• ff is the function name,
• xx is the input (also called the independent variable),
• f(x)f(x) is the output (also called the dependent variable).
Defining a Function
• A function can be defined by a rule or an equation. For example:
• f(x)=2x+3f(x)=2x+3
• In this case, for every input value of xx, you can determine a
corresponding output f(x)f(x).
Domain of a Function
• The domain of a function is the set of all possible input values (typically xx) that
the function can accept without leading to undefined expressions like division by
zero or taking the square root of a negative number.
• Example: For the function f(x)=xf(x)=x:
• Domain: x≥0x≥0 (only non-negative numbers).
Range of a Function
• The range of a function is the set of all possible output values that result from
the function. It’s based on the domain you choose and how the function behaves
over that domain.
• Example: Using the same function f(x)=xf(x)=x:
• Range: f(x)≥0f(x)≥0 (the outputs are only non-negative).
Determining Domain and Range
1. Finding the Domain:
• Look for values that cause the function to be undefined (like division by
zero).
• Examine square roots and logarithms (e.g., square roots require non-
negative inputs).
2. Finding the Range:
• Analyze the output behavior as xx varies over the domain.
• You might employ calculus to find maximum and minimum values if the
function is continuous.
Summary
 • A function describes an input-output relationship.
• The domain is all possible inputs.
• The range is all possible outputs.
Example Problem
Let’s consider the function: g(x)=1x−2+1g(x)=x−21+1
1. Domain: xx cannot equal 2 (division by zero).
• Domain: x∈(−∞,2)∪(2,∞)x∈(−∞,2)∪(2,∞)
2. Range: Analyze g(x)g(x):
• As xx approaches 2, g(x)g(x) will approach +∞+∞ or −∞−∞.
• Overall output will never equal 1 since g(x)g(x) can get infinitely close
but not reach it.
• Range: g(x)∈(−∞,1)∪(1,+∞)g(x)∈(−∞,1)∪(1,+∞)

Let's dive right into Operations with Functions!

1. Addition of Functions
To add two functions, you simply apply the addition operation to their outputs. If you
have two functions f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x), their sum is defined as:
(f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x)(f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x)
Example:
Let f(x)=2x+3f(x)=2x+3 and g(x)=x2g(x)=x2.
Then,
(f+g)(x)=(2x+3)+(x2)=x2+2x+3(f+g)(x)=(2x+3)+(x2)=x2+2x+3
2. Subtraction of Functions
To subtract functions, you apply the subtraction operation to their outputs. Using the
same functions f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x):
(f−g)(x)=f(x)−g(x)(f−g)(x)=f(x)−g(x)
Example:
Using f(x)=2x+3f(x)=2x+3 and g(x)=x2g(x)=x2:
(f−g)(x)=(2x+3)−(x2)=−x2+2x+3(f−g)(x)=(2x+3)−(x2)=−x2+2x+3
3. Multiplication of Functions
To multiply two functions, you multiply their outputs:
(f⋅g)(x)=f(x)⋅g(x)(f⋅g)(x)=f(x)⋅g(x)
Example:
Again using f(x)=2x+3f(x)=2x+3 and g(x)=x2g(x)=x2:
(f⋅g)(x)=(2x+3)(x2)=2x3+3x2(f⋅g)(x)=(2x+3)(x2)=2x3+3x2
4. Division of Functions
To divide one function by another, you divide their outputs, taking care not to divide
by zero:
(fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)(gf)(x)=g(x)f(x)
Example:
Using our previous functions:
(fg)(x)=2x+3x2(gf)(x)=x22x+3
Important Points to Remember:
• Domain Considerations: Always note the domain of the resulting function after
performing any operations. For division, ensure g(x)≠0g(x) =0.
• The operations can be combined. For
instance, (f+g)(x)⋅(f−g)(x)(f+g)(x)⋅(f−g)(x) can be evaluated using the
results of the addition and subtraction.
Composite Functions
Composite functions allow us to combine two functions to create a new function. The
notation for composite functions is written as (f∘g)(x)(f∘g)(x), which is read as "f
composed with g at x". This means you first apply the function gg to xx, and then
apply the function ff to the result of g(x)g(x).
Creating Composite Functions
To create a composite function (f∘g)(x)(f∘g)(x), follow these steps:
1. Identify the Functions: Start with two functions, f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x).
• Example: Let f(x)=2x+3f(x)=2x+3 and g(x)=x2g(x)=x2.
2. Substitute: Replace xx in f(x)f(x) with g(x)g(x).
• In our example:
(f∘g)(x)=f(g(x))=f(x2)=2(x2)+3(f∘g)(x)=f(g(x))=f(x2)=2(x2)+3
3. Simplify: Perform any necessary algebra to simplify the expression.
(f∘g)(x)=2x2+3(f∘g)(x)=2x2+3
Evaluating Composite Functions
To evaluate a composite function for a specific value of xx:
1. Evaluate the Inner Function: Start with g(x)g(x).
• If x=2x=2:
g(2)=22=4g(2)=22=4
2. Use the Result in the Outer Function: Take the result from g(x)g(x) and
substitute it into f(x)f(x).
f(g(2))=f(4)=2(4)+3=8+3=11f(g(2))=f(4)=2(4)+3=8+3=11
3. Final Result: Thus, (f∘g)(2)=11(f∘g)(2)=11.
Key Points to Remember
• The order of functions matters: (f∘g)(x)(f∘g)(x) is generally not the same
as (g∘f)(x)(g∘f)(x).
• Composite functions can be used in various fields and applications, enhancing
the flexibility of mathematical modeling.
Practice Problem
Given the functions:
• f(x)=3x−1f(x)=3x−1
 • g(x)=x+5g(x)=x+5
1. Find (f∘g)(x)(f∘g)(x).
2. Evaluate (f∘g)(2)(f∘g)(2).
Try solving this, and let me know if you need help!
Understanding Inverse Functions
An inverse function essentially reverses the effect of a given function. If you have a
function f(x)f(x), its inverse, often denoted as f−1(x)f−1(x), will take the output
of f(x)f(x) and return it to the original input xx.
Key Idea:
• If f(a)=bf(a)=b, then f−1(b)=af−1(b)=a.
For a function to have an inverse, it must be one-to-one (bijective), meaning:
• It passes the Horizontal Line Test: Any horizontal line intersects the graph of
the function at most once.
Finding Inverse Functions
To find the inverse of a function, follow these steps:
1. Replace f(x)f(x) with yy:
y=f(x)y=f(x)
2. Swap xx and yy:
x=f(y)x=f(y)
3. Solve for yy:
After isolating yy, you'll express it as a function of xx.
4. Replace yy with f−1(x)f−1(x):
The resulting equation represents the inverse function.
Example
Let's find the inverse of the function f(x)=2x+3f(x)=2x+3.
1. Replace f(x)f(x) with yy:
y=2x+3y=2x+3
2. Swap xx and yy:
x=2y+3x=2y+3
3. Solve for yy:
• Subtract 3 from both sides:
x−3=2yx−3=2y
• Divide by 2:
y=x−32y=2x−3
4. Replace yy with f−1(x)f−1(x):
f−1(x)=x−32f−1(x)=2x−3
Verification
To verify that ff and f−1f−1 are indeed inverses, we can check
if f(f−1(x))=xf(f−1(x))=x and f−1(f(x))=xf−1(f(x))=x.
 1. Check f(f−1(x))f(f−1(x)):
f(f−1(x))=f(x−32)=2(x−32)+3=x−3+3=xf(f−1(x))=f(2x−3)=2(2x−3
)+3=x−3+3=x
2. Check f−1(f(x))f−1(f(x)):
f−1(f(x))=f−1(2x+3)=(2x+3)−32=2x2=xf−1(f(x))=f−1(2x+3)=2(2x+3)−3
=22x=x
Both checks confirm that ff and f−1f−1 are indeed inverses!
Conclusion
• An inverse function reverses the original function's inputs and outputs.
• It can be found by swapping xx and yy in the original equation and solving
for yy.