CHAPTER 4

FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS

 MAPPING

 Consider elements in set 𝐴 = 1,2,3,4,5 map into the elements in set 𝐵 = 3,5,7,9,11 .

 Set 𝐴 is called the domain, 𝐷𝑓 = 1,2,3,4,5.

 Set 𝐵 is called the range, 𝑅𝑓 = 3,5,7,9,11.

 If the elements in set 𝐴 are represented by 𝑥 and elements in set 𝐵 by 𝑦, the relationship is 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1.

 The relationship can be expressed in function notation 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 or 𝑓: 𝑥 → 2𝑥 + 1

 There are 4 types of relation between 𝑥 and 𝑦.

1) One-one

2) Many-one

3) One-many

4) Many-many

 Only one-one and many-one are called functions.

Example

Find the largest possible domains of these functions. State whether each function is one-one or many-one.

a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑅𝑓 = 9,16,25

b) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 , 𝑅𝑓 = 𝑦: −8 < 𝑦 < 1

c) 𝑓 𝑥 = 7𝑥 − 1, 𝑅𝑓 = 𝑓(𝑥): 6 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 20

1
d) 𝑓 𝑥 = , 𝑅𝑓 = 𝑓 𝑥 : 𝑓 𝑥 > 9, 𝑓(𝑥) ∈ ℝ
𝑥−1 2
GRAPHS OF FUNCTION

Constant functions

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ, 𝑅𝑓 = 𝑐
Linear functions
y = ax + b, a  0

y = ax + b, a  0

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ, 𝑅𝑓 = ℝ
Example

Given 𝑓 𝑥 = 1 − 3𝑥 and 𝐷𝑓 = 0,1,2,3,4 . Find the range of these function and state whether the function
is one-one or many-one.
Quadratic functions
( h, k )

y = ax 2 + bx + c, a  0

Maximum point ℎ, 𝑘

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ

𝑅𝑓 = (−∞, 𝑘ሿ
 ( h, k )

y = ax 2 + bx + c, a  0

Minimum point ℎ, 𝑘

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ

𝑅𝑓 = ሾ𝑘, ∞)
The graph of quadratic function can be sketched by considering the following

1) Find the roots of the quadratic equation (if any) to find the point of 𝑥-intersection using 𝑓 𝑥 = 0.

2) Find 𝑦-intersection which is the value of 𝑓(0).

2
3) Express the equation in the form of 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥 − ℎ + 𝑘 to find the extremum point (maximum or
minimum).
Example

From the graph 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , sketch the graph of the following functions. Determine the domain and the range of
each of the following.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2

b) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2 + 3

c) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2 − 3

d) 𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥 2 + 2

e) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3 2

2
f) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3
Example
2
a) The 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 2 + 5 for the domain 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5. Sketch the curve with
equation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), marking the vertex of the parabola.

b) Show, with reference to the sketch or otherwise that the range of 𝑓 for the given domain is
5 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 14, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ.

c) Solve 𝑓 𝑥 = 9.
Example

The function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 9, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

2
a) Express 𝑓 𝑥 in the form of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 𝑎 + 𝑏.

b) Hence, or otherwise, sketch 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and state the range of the function.

Example

a) Given that 6 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 = 𝑝 − 𝑥 − 𝑞 2 . Find 𝑝 and 𝑞.

b) Hence, or otherwise, find the range of the function of 𝑓 where 𝑓: 𝑥 → 6 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

Cubic functions

y = x3

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ

𝑅𝑓 = ℝ
 y = − x3

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ

𝑅𝑓 = ℝ
The graph of cubic function can be sketched by considering the following

1. Find the value of 𝑓(0).(𝑦-intersection).

2. Find the value 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 → ±∞.

3. Find the value of 𝑥 when 𝑓 𝑥 = 0.(𝑥-intersection).

4. The signs of the function for other values of 𝑥.

Example

Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. Hence, state the domain and the range.

a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6.

b) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥2 2 − 𝑥
Rational functions
P( x)
 A function in the form of where 𝑃(𝑥) and 𝑄 𝑥 are polynomials.
Q( x)
1
 Consider the function f ( x) =
x

i. For 𝑥 < 0, 𝑓 𝑥 < 0 and as 𝑥 → −∞, 𝑓(𝑥) → 0

ii. For 𝑥 > 0, 𝑓 𝑥 > 0 and as 𝑥 → +∞, 𝑓(𝑥) → 0

iii. For 𝑥 = 0, 𝑓 𝑥 is not defined

iv. As 𝑥 decreases from positive values towards 0, 𝑓(𝑥) → ∞

v. As 𝑥 increases from negative values towards 0, 𝑓 𝑥 → −∞

 When a curve becomes closer and closer to a line but never reach it, the line is called an asymptote.
1
 For f ( x) = , the 𝑥-axis and 𝑦-axis are both asymptote.
x
 Use dashed line for asymptote other than the 𝑥-axis and 𝑦-axis.
Example
5
The function 𝑓 is defined for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 > 0 as f : x → 4 +
x
a) Sketch the function for 𝑥 > 0.

b) State the range of the function.

c) Solve 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥
Example

Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. Hence, state the domain and the range.

3
∎ 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥−2

1
∎ 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥+1
Example

The function 𝑓 is defined as

2𝑥 + 3
𝑓 𝑥 = ,𝑥 ≠ 1
𝑥−1

𝑏
a) Express 𝑓 𝑥 in the form 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎 + where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants.
𝑥−1
b) The diagrams shows a sketch of 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 . State the coordinates

of point 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 and the equations of the asymptotes.

c) State the range of 𝑓.

d) Solve 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1 leaving surds in the answer.

Absolute value functions

𝑥, 𝑥 ≥ 0
𝑥 =ቊ
−𝑥, 𝑥 < 0

y = −x y=x

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ, 𝑅𝑓 = 𝑦: 𝑦 ≥ 0
Example

State the graph of 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 1 .

Example
2
Given 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 1 − 4. Sketch the graph of

a) 𝑦=𝑓 𝑥

b) 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

c) 𝑦=𝑓 𝑥
Example

Sketch these curves.

a) 𝑦 = 2𝑥

b) 𝑦 = 𝑥−4

c) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1

d) 𝑦 = 2−𝑥

e) 𝑦 = 𝑥 −2

f) 𝑦 =2− 𝑥
Example

Given that 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥. Sketch on separate diagram, the graph of

a) 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)

b) 𝑦=𝑓 𝑥
Square roots functions

 Function in the form of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 where 𝑎 and 𝑏.

𝑏
 For 𝑓(𝑥) to be defined, 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 ≥ 0 or 𝑥 ≥ − .
𝑎

𝑏
𝐷𝑓 = 𝑥: 𝑥 ≥ − , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ
𝑎
b
−
a
𝑅𝑓 = 𝑦: 𝑦 ≥ 0, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ
Example

Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. Hence, state its domain and range.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1

c) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥−1

d) 𝑓 𝑥 =− 𝑥

e) 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 − 𝑥

f) 𝑓 𝑥 = − −1 − 𝑥
Exponential functions

 Function in the form 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑥 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ and 𝑎 ∈ ℝ+ , 𝑎 ≠ 1.

 If 𝑎 > 1,

a) 𝑓 𝑥 > 0 for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

b) when 𝑥 increases, 𝑓(𝑥) is increasing.

c) as 𝑥 → −∞, 𝑓(𝑥) → 0. The 𝑥-axis is the horizontal asymptote.

d) the graph cut the 𝑦-axis at 𝑓(𝑥) = 1.

 𝐷𝑓 = ℝ, 𝑅𝑓 = 𝑦: 0 < 𝑦 < ∞, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ
 If 0 < 𝑎 < 1,

a) 𝑓 𝑥 > 0 for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

b) when 𝑥 increases, 𝑓(𝑥) is decreasing.

c) as 𝑥 → ∞, 𝑓(𝑥) → 0. The 𝑥-axis is the horizontal asymptote.

d) the graph cut the 𝑦-axis at 𝑓(𝑥) = 1.

 𝐷𝑓 = ℝ, 𝑅𝑓 = 𝑦: 0 < 𝑦 < ∞, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ
 The graph of 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑥 and 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎−𝑥 for 𝑎 > 1, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.

y = a− x y = ax
Example

Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. Hence, state its domain and range.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥+1

b) 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 1

c) 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 + 1

d) 𝑓 𝑥 = −3𝑥
Example

Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. Hence, state its domain and range.

1 𝑥+1
a) 𝑓(𝑥) =
4

1 𝑥
b) 𝑓 𝑥 = −1
4

1 𝑥
c) 𝑓 𝑥 =− +1
4

1 𝑥+1
d) 𝑓 𝑥 =−
4
Logarithmic functions

 Function in the form 𝑓 𝑥 = log 𝑎 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ+ and 𝑎 > 0, 𝑎 ≠ 1.

 If 𝑎 > 1,

a) log 𝑎 𝑥 does not exist for 𝑥 < 0.

b) for 𝑥 > 1,𝑓 𝑥 > 0 and as 𝑥 → ∞,𝑓(𝑥) → ∞.

c) for 0 < 𝑥 < 1,𝑓 𝑥 < 0 and as 𝑥 → 0,𝑓 𝑥 → −∞.

d) when 𝑥 = 1, 𝑓 𝑥 = 0.

 𝐷𝑓 = 𝑥: 0 < 𝑥 < ∞, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ , 𝑅𝑓 = ℝ
Example

Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. Hence, state its domain and range.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = log 8 𝑥

b) 𝑓(𝑥) = log 3 𝑥 − 1

c) 𝑓 𝑥 = − log 3 𝑥

d) 𝑓 𝑥 = − log 3 𝑥 + 1
Piecewise functions

 A function which is defined with difference expressions for different parts of the domain.

 For example,

5, 𝑥<1
𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ
𝑥 + 2, 𝑥 ≥ 1

 From the graph,

𝐷𝑓 = ℝ

𝑅𝑓 = 𝑦: 𝑦 ≥ 3, 𝑦 ∈ ℝ
Example

Sketch the graph of each of the following functions. Hence, state its domain and range.

𝑥, 0<𝑥<1
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = ቊ
𝑥 − 2, 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5

𝑥, 0≤𝑥<1
b) 𝑓(𝑥) = ቊ
2 − 𝑥, 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4

2 − 𝑥2, 𝑥≤0
c) 𝑓(𝑥) = ቐ 𝑥 + 4, 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6
3𝑥, 𝑥>6
 COMPOSITE FUNCTION

 When two or more functions are combined, the result is called the composite function.

 Consider 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 and 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 , then 𝑔𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 2 , 𝑓𝑔 𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 + 1.

 For 𝑓𝑔 𝑥 to exist, 𝑥 must be in the domain of function 𝑔 and 𝑔(𝑥) must be in the domain of function 𝑓.

 Otherwise, 𝑓𝑔 𝑥 does not exist.

Example

1
The function 𝑓, 𝑔, ℎ are defined for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≠ 0 by 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1, 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 and ℎ 𝑥 = . Find 𝑓𝑔(𝑥),
𝑥

𝑔ℎ 𝑥 , 𝑓 2 𝑥 , ℎ2 (𝑥) and 𝑓𝑔ℎ(𝑥).

Example

The function 𝑓 are 𝑔 defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 2𝑥 − 3, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

Find

a) 𝑓𝑔(𝑥)

b) the values of 𝑓𝑔 2 , 𝑓𝑔 −3 and 𝑓𝑔(0.5)

c) 𝑔𝑓(𝑥)

d) the values of 𝑔𝑓 −4 , 𝑔𝑓 5 and 𝑔𝑓(0)

e) 𝑓 2 (𝑥)
Example

Functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined by

𝑓: 𝑥 → 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≥ 0

𝑔: 𝑥 → 𝑥 2 + 9, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

a) State the range of 𝑓 and 𝑔

b) Define 𝑔𝑓(𝑥) and state its range

c) Explain why 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) exist

Example

Suppose 𝑓: 𝑥 → 2𝑥 − 1, 𝑔: 𝑥 → 3𝑥 2 + 2 and ℎ: 𝑥 → 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive constants.

a) Show that 𝑓𝑔 𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 + 3 and find the function 𝑔𝑓(𝑥).

b) Find 𝑎 and 𝑏 such that 𝑓𝑔ℎ 𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 9

c) Find the values of 𝑥 such that 𝑓𝑔ℎ 𝑥 = 57

Example

Functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined as

𝑓: 𝑥 → 2𝑥 + 3

𝑥−𝑎
𝑔: 𝑥 →
𝑏𝑥 + 1

where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants. Obtain the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏 such that

5𝑥 − 1
𝑓𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥+1
Example

Functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are defined on a set of real numbers as

2
𝑓 𝑥 = ,𝑥 ≠ 𝑝
𝑥−3
𝑔 𝑥 =𝑥−1

a) State the value of 𝑝.

b) Find the values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓𝑔(𝑥).

 INVERSE FUNCTION

1
 Written as 𝑓 −1 (Note that 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = )
𝑓(𝑥)

 Consider 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1, then

−1
𝑥−1
𝑓 𝑥 =
2

 To find the inverse of a function,

1. Put the function equal to 𝑦.

2. Rearrange to give 𝑥 in terms of 𝑦.

3. Rewrite 𝑥 as 𝑓 −1 𝑥 and 𝑦 as 𝑥.
 For the unique inverse to exist, the function must be one-one for the given domain.

Example: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ is many-one function.

In this case, 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) does not exist. But if the domain restricted for 𝑥 ∈ ℝ+ , 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) exist.
 The graph of a function and its inverse are reflection of one another in 𝑦 = 𝑥.

Example: If 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 ∈ ℝ+ , then 𝑓 −1 𝑥 = 𝑥, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ+ .
y=x
f ( x) = x 2

f −1 ( x) = x
NOTE:

➢ For a function and its inverse, the roles of 𝑥 and 𝑦 are interchanged. Range of 𝑓 is the domain for 𝑓 −1
and the range of 𝑓 −1 is the domain of 𝑓.

➢ 𝑓𝑓 −1 𝑥 = 𝑓 −1 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥
Example

The function 𝑓 is defined by 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 4, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

a) Find the inverse function.

b) Sketch the graph of 𝑓 and 𝑓 −1 on the same axis.

Example

Given

13 − 6𝑥
𝑓 𝑥 = ,𝑥 ∈ ℝ
7

a) Find the inverse function

b) Verify the result using 𝑥 = 2

c) Shows that 𝑓𝑓 −1 𝑥 = 𝑓 −1 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥
Example

For each of the following functions, by completing the square , or otherwise, find the inverse function. State
the domain and range of 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) and sketch on the same axis 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥), 𝑦 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑥.

 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7, 𝑥 > 2

 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 − 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 ≥ −1
Example

For 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 + 1,

a) Find 𝑓 −1 𝑥 and state its domain.

b) Sketch the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥),𝑦 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑥 on the same axis, showing where the lines intersect.

Example

For 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 − 4𝑥,

a) Show that 𝑓𝑓 −1 𝑥 = 𝑓 −1 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥.

b) Sketch the graph 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥),𝑦 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑥 on the same axis, showing where the lines intersect.

c) Solve 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) and hence state the coordinates of the point of intersection in part (b).
Example

1
Given 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔 𝑥 = , 𝑥 ≠ 0.
𝑥

a) Find 𝑓 −1 (𝑥), 𝑔−1 (𝑥) and 𝑔𝑓(𝑥).

−1 1 1
b) Show that 𝑔𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 −1 𝑔−1 𝑥 = −2
3 𝑥
 TRANSFORMATION OF GRAPHS

 Consider we have a basic graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

0
1. 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑎 is a translation   . The function will moves up the graph by 𝑎 units.
a
Example: 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 1
y = x2 + 1

y = x2
  0 
2. 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑎 is a translation  −a  . The function will moves down the graph by 𝑎 units.
 

Example: 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 1

y = x2

y = x2 −1
 a
3. 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑎 is a translation   . The function will moves the graph to the right by 𝑎 units.
0
2
Example: 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1

y = x2 y = ( x − 1)
2
  −a 
4. 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑎 is a translation  0  . The function will moves the graph to the left by 𝑎 units.
 
2
Example: 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1

y = ( x + 1) y = x2
2
 a
5. 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑎 + 𝑏 is a translation  .
b
2 2
Example: 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1 + 1, 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1 −1

y = ( x − 1) + 1
2

y = x2

y = ( x + 1) − 1
2
6. 𝑦 = −𝑓 𝑥 is a reflection in the 𝑥-axis.

Example: 𝑦 = −𝑥 2

y = x2

y = − x2
7. 𝑦 = 𝑓 −𝑥 is a reflection in the 𝑦-axis.

Example: 𝑦 = −𝑥 3

y = − x3 y = x3
8. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑓 𝑥 is a stretch parallel to the 𝑦-axis with scale factor of 𝑎.

1
Example: 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2
2 y=
1 2
y = 2x2 y = x2 2
x
 1
9. 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑎𝑥 is a stretch parallel to the 𝑥-axis with scale factor of .
𝑎

2
Example: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 1

y = ( 2 x − 1)
2

y = ( x − 1)
2
Example

Sketch on a separate diagram and state the domain and range for each function.

a) 𝑦= 𝑥

b) 𝑦 = 𝑥+2

c) 𝑦 = 𝑥+2+1

d) 𝑦 = −𝑥

e) 𝑦 = 1−𝑥

f) 𝑦 =1+ 1−𝑥
Example

Sketch 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) given that

1
𝑓 𝑥 = + 4, 𝑥 ≠ −3.
𝑥−3

State the domain and the range of 𝑓.

Example

Given 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 , sketch these graphs, each on a separate diagram. State the domain and range for each graph

a) 𝑦 =𝑓 𝑥 −1

b) 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 + 1)

c) 𝑦 = 𝑓(2𝑥)

d) 𝑦 = 2 + 𝑓(𝑥 + 3)

Example

Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) where 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 2 3 . On the same axis, show the graphs of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and
𝑦=𝑓 𝑥 .
Example

Sketch the following exponential functions on the same axis.

a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥

b) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2−𝑥

c) 𝑓 𝑥 = −2𝑥

d) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1

e) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥+1

1 𝑥
f) 𝑓 𝑥 = −1
2