GENERAL MATHEMATICS

1ST TO 2ND QUARTER | 1ST SEMESTER

FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONS

A relation is a set of ordered pairs. A

function is a special type of relation where
each input (x-value) has only one output
(y-value). The domain is the set of all
possible input values, and the range is the
set of all possible output values.

Examples:

Practice Problems:

1. If h(x) = 3x – 5, find h(4) and h(–1).

2. If k(t) = t² + 2t – 1, find k(2) and k(–3).

OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS –
Practice Problems:
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
1. Is the relation {(0,1), (1,1), (2,4)} a
To add or subtract functions, add or subtract
function? Explain.
their expressions. The domain of the
resulting function is the intersection of the
2. Determine the domain and range of the
domains of the original functions.
function represented by the ordered pairs
- Examples:
{(–2, 1), (0, 2), (2, 3), (4, 4)}.

EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONS

To evaluate a function, substitute the given

input value into the function's expression
and simplify.
 Practice Problems:

1. If p(x) = x + 4 and q(x) = x – 2, find (p *

q)(x).

2. If r(x) = 5x and s(x) = x², find (r * s)(x).

OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS –
DIVISION

Practice Problems: To divide functions, divide their expressions.

The domain of the resulting function is the
1. If p(x) = 2x + 5 and q(x) = x – 3, find (p + intersection of the domains of the original
q)(x) and (p – q)(x). functions, excluding any values that make
the denominator zero.
2. If r(x) = x³ and s(x) = 2x², find (r + s)(x)
and (r – s)(x).

OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS –
MULTIPLICATION

To multiply functions, multiply their

expressions. The domain of the resulting
function is the intersection of the domains of
the original functions.

- Examples:
Example:

Practice Problems:

1. If p(x) = 3x and q(x) = x + 5, find (p ∘ q)(x)

and (q ∘ p)(x).

2. If r(x) = x – 4 and s(x) = x², find (r ∘ s)(x)

and (s ∘ r)(x).

RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
Practice Problems:
A rational function is a function that is the
1. If p(x) = x² + 1 and q(x) = x – 1, find (p / ratio of polynomials. Any function of one
q)(x) and state its domain. variable, x, is called a rational function if, it
can be represented as f(x) = p(x)/q(x),
2. If r(x) = 10x and s(x) = 5x, find (r / s)(x) where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials such
and state its domain. that q(x) ≠ 0. For example, f(x) = (x2 + x - 2)
/ (2x2 - 2x - 3) is a rational function and
OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS – here, 2x2 - 2x - 3 ≠ 0.
COMPOSITION
A rational function is a function that can be
Function composition means applying one expressed as the quotient of two
function to the output of another. (f ∘ g)(x) = polynomials.
f(g(x)).
- Examples:

Examples:
 In the Fig (a) (which is one to one), x is the
domain and f(x) is the codomain, likewise in
Fig (b) (which is not one to one), x is a
domain and g(x) is a codomain.
Practice Problems: In Fig(a), for each x value, there is only one
unique value of f(x) and thus, f(x) is one to
1. Identify the vertical asymptote(s) of f(x) = one function.
1/(x-3).
In Fig (b), different values of x, 2, and -2 are
2. Identify the horizontal asymptote of f(x) = mapped with a common g(x) value 4 and
(2x+1)/(x-1). (also, the different x values -4 and 4 are
mapped to a common value 16). Thus, g(x)
ONE-TO-ONE FUNCTIONS is a function that is not a one to one
function.
A normal function can actually have two
different input values that can produce the HORIZONTAL LINE TEST
same answer, whereas a one to one
function does not. Let’s go ahead and start The horizontal line test is used to determine
with the definition and properties of one to whether a function is one-one when its
one functions. graph is given. We have already seen the
condition (g(x1) = g(x2) ⇒ x1 = x2) to
One to one function is a special function determine whether a function g(x) is
that maps every element of the range to one-one algebraically. On the other hand, to
exactly one element of its domain i.e, the test whether the function is one-one from its
outputs never repeat. As an example, the graph,
function g(x) = x - 4 is a one to one function
since it produces a different answer for
every input. Also, the function g(x) = x2 is
NOT a one to one function since it produces
4 as the answer when the inputs are 2 and
-2. A function that is not one-to-one is called
a many-to-one function.

Examples:
 Here solve the expression x = ay + b for y.
And we obtain y = (x - b/a

Finlly replace y = f-1(x), and we have f-1(x)

= (x - b)/a.

Practice Problems:

1. Determine if f(x) = 3x - 5 is a one-to-one

function.

2. Determine if f(x) = x³ is a one-to-one

function.

INVERSE FUNCTIONS

The inverse of a function f is denoted by f-¹

and it exists only when f is both one-one
and onto function. Note that f-¹ is NOT the
reciprocal of f. The composition of the
function f and the reciprocal function f-1
gives the domain value of x.

(f o f-¹) (x) = (f-¹ o f) (x) = x

Practice Problems:

1. Find the inverse of f(x) = 4x – 1.

STEPS TO FIND AN INVERSE FUNCTION 2. Find the inverse of f(x) = x/3 + 2.

The following sequence of steps would help EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

in conveniently finding the inverse of a
function. Here we consider a function f(x) = Exponential function, as its name suggests,
ax + b, and aim at finding the inverse of this involves exponents. But note that, an
function through the following steps. exponential function has a constant as its
base and a variable as its exponent but not
For the given function f(x) = ax + b, replace the other way round (if a function has a
f(x) = y, to obtain y = ax + b. variable as the base and a constant as the
exponent then it is a power function but not
Interchange the x with y and the y with x in an exponential function). An exponential
the function y = ax + b to obtain x = ay + b. function can be in one of the following
forms.
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION DEFINITION

In mathematics, an exponential function is a

function of form f (x) = ax, where “x” is a
variable and “a” is a constant which is called
the base of the function and it should be
greater than 0.

Here is the table of values that are used to

graph the exponential function g(x) = (1/2)x.

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION EXAMPLES

Here are some examples of exponential

function.
Practice Problems:
f(x) = 2x
1. Evaluate f(x) = 3ˣ for x = 2 and x = -1.
f(x) = (1/2)x
2. Sketch the graph of f(x) = 4ˣ.
f(x) = 3e2x
LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
f(x) = 4 (3)-0.5x

EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION GRAPH The basic logarithmic function is of the

form f(x) = logax (r) y = logax, where a > 0. It
We can understand the process of graphing is the inverse of the exponential function a =
exponential function by taking some x. Log functions include natural logarithm
examples. Let us graph two functions f(x) = (ln) or common logarithm (log). Here are
2x and g(x) = (1/2)x. To graph each of these some examples of logarithmic functions:
functions, we will construct a table of values ●​ f(x) = ln (x - 2)
with some random values of x, plot the ●​ g(x) = log2 (x + 5) - 2
points on the graph, connect them by a ●​ h(x) = 2 log x, etc.
curve, and extend the curve on both ends.
The process of graphing exponential
function can be learned in detail by clicking
here.

Here is the table of values that are used to

graph the exponential function f(x) = 2x.
 Thus, domain = (2, ∞).

LOGARITHMIC GRAPH
We have already seen that the domain of
the basic logarithmic function y = loga x is
the set of positive real numbers and the
range is the set of all real numbers. We
The exponential function of the form ax = N know that the exponential and log functions
can be transformed into a logarithmic are inverses of each other and hence their
function logaN = x. The logarithms are graphs are symmetric with respect to the
generally calculated with a base of 10, and line y = x. Also, note that y = 0 when x = 0
the logarithmic value of any number can be as y = loga1 = 0 for any 'a'. Thus, all such
found using a Napier logarithm table. The functions have an x-intercept of (1, 0). A
logarithms can be calculated for positive logarithmic function doesn't have a
whole numbers, fractions, decimals, but y-intercept as loga0 is not defined.
cannot be calculated for negative values. Summarizing all these, the graphs of
exponential functions and logarithmic graph
DOMAIN AND RANGE OF LOG look like below.
FUNCTIONS

Let us consider the basic (parent) common

logarithmic function f(x) = log x (or y = log
x). We know that log x is defined only when
x > 0 (try finding log 0, log (-1), log (-2), etc
using your calculator. You will come up with
an error). So the domain is the set of all
positive real numbers. Now, we will observe
some of the y-values (outputs) of the
function for different x-values (inputs).

When x = 1, y = log 1 = 0
When x = 2, y = log 2 = 0.3010
When x = 0.2, y = -0.6990
When x = 0.01, y = -2, etc
PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMIC
FUNCTIONS
Logarithmic function properties are helpful
to work across complex log functions. All
Example: Find the domain and range of the the general arithmetic operations across
logarithmic function f(x) = 2 log (2x - 4) + 5. numbers are transformed into a different set
of operations within logarithms. The product
Solution: of two numbers, when taken within the
For finding domain, set the argument of the logarithmic functions is equal to the sum of
function greater than 0 and solve for x. the logarithmic values of the two functions.
Similarly, the operations of division are
2x - 4 > 0​ transformed into the difference of the
2x > 4​ logarithms of the two numbers. Let us list
x>2 the important properties of log functions in
the below points.
 Examples:

log ab = log a + log b

loga/b = log a - log b
logba = (logc a)/(logc b) (change of base
rule)
logax = x loga
loga 1 = 0
loga a = 1

DERIVATIVE AND INTEGRAL OF

LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
The derivation of the logarithmic function
gives the slope of the tangent to the curve
representing the logarithmic function. The
formula for the derivative of the common
and natural logarithmic functions are as
follows.
Practice Problems:

1. Solve for x: 3ˣ < 27.

The derivative of ln x is 1/x. i.e., d/dx. ln x =
2. Solve for x: (1/4)ˣ > 1/16.
1/x.
The derivative of logₐ x is 1/(x ln a). i.e., SIMPLE INTEREST
d/dx (logₐ x) = 1/(x ln a).
Simple interest is a method of interest that
The integral formulas of logarithmic always applies to the original principal
functions are as follows: amount, with the same rate of interest for
every time cycle. When we invest our
money in any bank, the bank provides us
The integral of ln x is ∫ ln x dx = x (ln x - 1) + interest on our amount. The interest applied
C. by the banks is of many types and one of
The integral of log x is ∫ log x dx = x (log x - them is simple interest. Now, before going
1) + C. deeper into the concept of simple interest,
let's first understand what is the meaning of
a loan.
EXPONENTIAL INEQUALITIES
SIMPLE INTEREST FORMULA
Exponential Inequalities involve comparing
exponential expressions. Solving often Simple interest is calculated with the
involves considering the behavior of the following formula: S.I. = (P × R × T)/100,
exponential function (increasing or where P = Principal, R = Rate of Interest in
decreasing) and the properties of % per annum, and T = Time, usually
inequalities. calculated as the number of years. The rate
of interest is in percentage R% (and is to be
written as R/100, thus 100 in the formula). Example:
To understand more about this formula, click
here. Michael's father had borrowed personal loan
of $1,000 from the bank and the rate of
Principal: The principal is the amount that interest was 5%. What would the simple
was initially borrowed (loan) from the bank interest be if the amount is borrowed for 1
or invested. The principal is denoted by P. year? Similarly, calculate the simple interest
if the amount is borrowed for 2 years, 3
Rate: Rate is the rate of interest at which years, and 10 years? Also, calculate the
the principal amount is given to someone for amount that has to be returned in each of
a certain time, the rate of interest can be these cases.
5%, 10%, or 13%, etc. The rate of interest is
denoted by R. Solution:

Time: Time is the duration for which the Principal amount = $1,000, personal loan
principal amount is given to someone. Time interest rate = 5% = 5/100. (Add a sentence
is denoted by T. here describing the given information in the
question.)
The above formula can be further solved for
any variable, P, R, or T. For example, by Practice Problems:
dividing both sides of the SI formula S.I. =
(P × R × T)/100 by R × T, we get P = (100 × 1. Calculate the simple interest earned on
S.I.)/(R × T). Similarly, we can solve for $2000 invested at 4% for 3 years.
either R or T. 2. How long will it take for $1000 to earn
$200 in simple interest at a rate of 2%?

SIMPLE INTEREST VS COMPOUND

INTEREST

Simple interest and Compound Interest

are two ways to calculate interest on a loan
amount. It is believed that compound
interest is more difficult to calculate than
simple interest because of some basic
differences in both. Let's understand the
difference between simple interest and
compound interest through the table given
below

How to Find Simple Interest?

Simple interest is found by using the

formula SI = (PRT)/100 where P is the
principal, R is the rate of interest, and T is
the duration. The values of P, R, and T have
to be substituted in this formula to calculate
the simple interest. Here is an example to
understand the process better for same P
and R values but for different T values.
COMPOUND INTEREST

Compound interest is the interest paid on

both principal and existing interest. Hence, it
is usually termed "interest over the interest".
Example: If $5000 is invested in a bank
Here, the interest so far accumulated is
where the amount is compounded
added to the principal and the resulting
continuously at a rate of 7% per year, then
amount becomes the new principal for the
what is the resultant amount after 3 years?
next interval. i.e., Compound Interest =
Interest on principal + Interest over existing Solution: Here, P = $5000, r = 7% = 0.07,
interest. and t = 3. Substituting these values in the
continuous compound interest formula:
The compound interest is calculated at
regular intervals like annually(yearly), A = Pert = 5000(e0.07 × 3) = $6168.39
semi-annually (half-yearly), quarterly (4
times in a year), monthly (12 times in a Practice Problems:
year), etc; In case of compound interest,
interest income from an investment makes 1. Calculate the final amount if $1500 is
the money grow faster over time! It is invested at 6% compounded annually for 4
exactly what is done by the compound years.
interest to money. Banks or any financial
organization calculate the amount based on 2. Calculate the final amount if $2000 is
compound interest only. invested at 4% compounded quarterly for 3
years.

GOODLUCK!