Mathematical Language

and Symbols

(2.4) Functions and Relations

GE 112
Mathematics in the Modern World

LOHVE G. SOTOMAYOR
Part-time Faculty, Math & Stat Department
College of Arts & Sciences
University of Southeastern Philippines
 Binary Relations

Definition 2.4.1. Any set of ordered pairs is called a

binary relation or simply a relation . If 𝑆 is a
relation, the set of all elements 𝑥 that occur as first
members of pairs (𝑥,𝑦) in 𝑆 is called the domain of
𝑆, denoted by 𝒟𝑺 . The set of second members 𝑦 is
called the range of 𝑆, denoted by ℛ𝑺 .

Example 2.4.2. Let

S = 3, 5 , −2, 8 , −3, 8 , 0, −6 .
Find the domain and range of set 𝑆.
Answer.
Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 2
 Three Ways to Represent a Relation

Mapping

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 3
 Three Ways to Represent a Relation

Table

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 4
 Three Ways to Represent a Relation

Graph
(-3, 8)

(-2, 8) (3, 5)

(0, -6)

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 5
 Functions

Definition 2.4.3. A function 𝒇 is a relation which is

the set of ordered pairs (𝑥, 𝑦), no two of which have
the same first member. That is, if 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈
𝑓 and 𝑥, 𝑧 ∈ 𝑓, then 𝑦 = 𝑧. The definition of function
requires that for every 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓 there is
exactly one 𝑦 such that 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝑓. It is customary to
call 𝑦 the 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 of 𝑓 at 𝑥 and to write 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
instead of 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝑓 to indicate that the pair (𝑥, 𝑦) is
in the set 𝑓.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 6
 Functions

Example 2.4.4. State whether or not the following

relations could be a function or not.
x y
2 3
5 7
3 8
-2 -5
8 7

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 7
 Functions

Vertical Line Test

Graphs can be used to determine if a relation is a
function by using the vertical line test. If the vertical
line intersects the graph of an equation at exactly
one point, then the equation is a function; otherwise
it is not a function.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 8
 Functions

Example 2.4.5 Determine if the equation

corresponds to the graph below is a function.

(a) (b)

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 9
 Functions
(c) (d)

(e) (f)

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 10
 Functions

(g) (h)

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 11
 Functions

Example 2.4.6. Let 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 and 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 2.

Find the domain and the range of 𝑓 and 𝑔.

Solution. Note that the graph of 𝑓 is

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 12
 Functions
Therefore, the domain and the range of 𝑓 are

𝐷𝑓 = −∞, +∞ and 𝑅𝑓 = 0, ∞ , respectively.

And the graph of 𝑔 is

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 13
 Functions

Thus, the domain and the range of 𝑔 and

𝐷𝑔 = 2, +∞ and 𝑅𝑔 = 0, +∞ , respectively.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 14
 Functions

Example 2.4.7. Draw a sketch of the graph of

the piecewise function 𝑓 and determine the
domain and the range if
𝑥, 𝑥<0
𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ 2
𝑥 , 𝑥≥0

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 15
 Functions

Note that the graph of 𝑓 is

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2, 𝑥 ≥ 0

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥, 𝑥 < 0

Domain of 𝑓: D𝑓 = −∞, +∞
Range of 𝑓: 𝑅𝑓 = −∞, +∞
Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 16
 Functions

Function Notations and Operations on

Functions
Given two functions 𝑓 and 𝑔:
1. Their sum denoted by 𝒇 + 𝒈 is the function
defined by
𝑓+𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 +𝑔 𝑥

2. Their product, denoted by 𝒇 ∙ 𝒈 is the function

defined by
𝑓∙𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 ∙𝑔 𝑥

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 17
 Functions

Continuation…

3. Their difference denoted by 𝒇 − 𝒈 is the function

defined by
𝑓−𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 −𝑔 𝑥

4. Their quotient, denoted by 𝒇/𝒈 is the function

defined by
𝑓/𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 /𝑔 𝑥
provided that 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 18
 Functions

Note: In each case, the domain of the resulting

function consists of those values of 𝑥 common to the
domain of 𝑓 and 𝑔 , with the additional requirement
in case 4 that the values of 𝑥 for which 𝑔 𝑥 = 0 are
excluded. That is,
• 𝐷𝑓+𝑔 = 𝐷𝑓 ∩ 𝐷𝑔
• 𝐷𝑓−𝑔 = 𝐷𝑓 ∩ 𝐷𝑔
• 𝐷𝑓∙𝑔 = 𝐷𝑓 ∩ 𝐷𝑔
• 𝐷𝑓/𝑔 = 𝐷𝑓 ∩ 𝐷𝑔 − {𝑥|𝑔 𝑥 = 0}

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 19
 Functions

Example 2.4.8. Given that 𝑓 and 𝑔 are functions

defined by
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 4.

Find the following:

a. 𝑓 + 𝑔 𝑥
b. 𝑓 − 𝑔 𝑥
c. 𝑓 ∙ 𝑔 𝑥
d. 𝑓/𝑔 𝑥
In each case determine the domain of the resulting
function.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 20
 Functions

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 21
 Functions

a. Given that 𝑓 and 𝑔 are functions defined by

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 𝑔 𝑥 =𝑥−4

find the following: 𝑓+𝑔 𝑥

Solution. Note that

𝑓 + 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 − 4.

And the graph of 𝑓 + 𝑔 𝑥 is shown in the next

slide.
Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 22
 Functions

(𝑓 + 𝑔) 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 − 4

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 23
 Functions
By observing the behavior of the graph, we see
that the domain and range of 𝑓 + 𝑔 𝑥 are
𝐷𝑓+𝑔 = [−1, +∞)
and
𝑅𝑓+𝑔 = −5, +∞ ,
respectively.

Another way of determining the domain of

𝑓 + 𝑔 𝑥 is by finding the 𝑥 values common to
both 𝑓 and 𝑔. That is,
𝐷𝑓+𝑔 = 𝐷𝑓 ∩ 𝐷𝑔 .
Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 24
 Functions
Now, observe that the domain of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1 is
𝐷𝑓 = −1, +∞
and the domain of 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 4 is
𝐷𝑔 = −∞, +∞ .

Thus, domain of (𝑓 + 𝑔) 𝑥 is
𝐷𝑓+𝑔 = 𝐷𝑓 ∩ 𝐷𝑔 = −1, +∞ ∩ −∞, +∞
= −1, +∞ .

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 25
 Functions

b. Given that 𝑓 and 𝑔 are functions defined by

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 𝑔 𝑥 =𝑥−4

find the following: 𝑓−𝑔 𝑥

Solution.
𝑓−𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 −𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥+1− 𝑥−4
= 𝑥+1−𝑥+4

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 26
 Functions

𝐷𝑓−𝑔 = −1, +∞
𝑅𝑓−𝑔 = [−∞, 5]

𝑓−𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥+1−𝑥+4

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 27
 Functions

c. Given that 𝑓 and 𝑔 are functions defined by

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 𝑔 𝑥 =𝑥−4

find the following: 𝑓∙𝑔 𝑥

Solution.
𝑓∙𝑔 𝑥 =𝑓 𝑥 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 𝑥−4

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 28
 Functions

𝐷𝑓∙𝑔 = −1, +∞
𝑅𝑓∙𝑔 = [0, +∞]

𝑓 ∙ 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1(𝑥 − 4)

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 29
 Functions

d. Given that 𝑓 and 𝑔 are functions defined by

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 𝑔 𝑥 =𝑥−4

find the following: 𝑓/𝑔 𝑥

Solution.
𝑥+1
𝑓/𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑓 𝑥 /𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥−4

where 𝑥 − 4 ≠ 0.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 30
 Functions

𝐷𝑓∙𝑔 = −1, 4 ∪ (4, +∞)

𝑅𝑓∙𝑔 = (−∞, +∞)

𝑥+1
𝑓/𝑔 𝑥 =
(𝑥 − 4)

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 31
 Functions
Even and Odd Functions
1. A function 𝑓 is said to be an even function if for
every 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓, 𝑓(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥).

2. A function 𝑓 is said to be an odd function if for

every 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓, 𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥).

Note:
In both 1 and 2, it is understood that – 𝑥 is the
domain of 𝑓 whenever 𝑥 is. Also note that, 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
is both an even and odd function.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 32
 Functions
Example 2.4.9. Determine if the following functions
are even, odd, or neither.

a. 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2 + 7

Solution.
𝑓 −𝑥 = 3(−𝑥)4 − 2(−𝑥)2 +7
= 3(𝑥)4 − 2(𝑥)2 +7
= 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2 + 7
=𝑓 𝑥

Therefore, 𝑓(𝑥) is an even function.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 33
 Functions
Example 2.4.10. Determine if the following functions
are even, odd, or neither.

b. 𝑔 𝑥 = 3𝑥 5 − 4𝑥 3 − 9𝑥

Solution.
𝑔 −𝑥 = 3(−𝑥)5 − 4 −𝑥 3 − 9(−𝑥)
= 3(−𝑥)5 − 4 −𝑥 3 − 9 −𝑥
= −3𝑥 5 + 4𝑥 2 + 9𝑥
= − 3𝑥 5 − 4𝑥 2 − 9𝑥
= −𝑔(𝑥)

Therefore, 𝑔(𝑥) is an odd function.

Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 34
 Functions
Example 2.4.11. Determine if the following functions are
even, odd, or neither.

c. ℎ 𝑥 = 2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 9

Solution.
ℎ −𝑥 = 2(−𝑥)4 + 7 −𝑥 3 − −𝑥 2 + 9
= 2(𝑥)4 + 7 −𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 9
= 2𝑥 4 − 7𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 9
≠ ℎ(𝑥)

Observe that ℎ −𝑥 is also not equal to −ℎ 𝑥 . Thus,

𝑔 𝑥 is neither an even nor an odd function.
Mathematical Language
and Symbols Page 35