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ADMATHS
SECTION: ALGEBRA

LESSON 9A7-PRE: FUNCTIONS AND FUNCTION

NOTATION
______________________________________________________________

In primary school we used to play a game:

“Think of a number.
Add 5 to the number
Multiply the answer by 2
What is your answer?”

This game is based on a function condition, because FOR EVERY INPUT

VALUE THERE IS ONE AND ONLY ONE OUTPUT VALUE possible.

A function is a rule which takes an input, munches on it and gives one

and only one output.

If 10 is chosen as the “number” in the game, then 5 added, and 15 is

multiplied by 2, the answer is 30. Only one output value is possible for each
input value.
This can be represented in a number of ways:
10 → +5 → × 2 → 30 flow diagram
10 → 𝑓 → 30 𝑓 is the function machine
IN GENERAL:

Input → 𝑓 → Output
𝑓: 𝑥 → 2(𝑥 + 5) reads:
𝑥 → 𝑓: 𝑥 → 2(𝑥 + 5) → 𝑦
The function 𝑓 maps any 𝑥-value
𝑥 → 𝑓: 𝑥 → 2(𝑥 + 5) → 𝑓(𝑥)
onto 2(𝑥 + 5)
𝑓(𝑥) reads "𝑓 of 𝑥"
We write: 𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 5)

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The variable 𝑥 is often used to represent the input (chosen) value and 𝑦 is
used to indicate the output value.

The answer for 𝑦 is dependent on which 𝑥-value was chosen as input.

We say that 𝑦 is the dependent variable and 𝑥 is the independent one.
When doing calculations with functions, 𝑦 is referred to as 𝑓(𝑥).

𝑓(𝑥) is the 𝑦-value if the function munches on 𝑥.

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦

Thus: 𝑦 = 2(𝑥 + 5) can be written as 𝑓(𝑥) = 2(𝑥 + 5)

WAYS TO REPRESENT A FUNCTION

We will work with the function condition 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 2 which can be represented

as follows:

1. Value table

𝑥 0 1 2 3 4
𝑦 2 3 4 5 6

2. A set of ordered coordinate pairs (𝑥; 𝑦)

{(0; 2), (1; 3), (2; 4), (3; 5), (4; 6)}

3. Set notation
{(𝑥; 𝑦)⁄𝑦 = 𝑥 + 2 ; 𝑥 ∈ {0,1,2,3,4}}

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4. The Cartesian plane

y
7
6
(4;6)
5
(3;5)
4
(2;4)
3
(0;2) (1;3)
2
1
x
-2 -1 1 2 3 4
-1
-2

The independent variable (𝑥) is placed on the horizontal axis and the
dependent variable (𝑦) is shown on the vertical axis.

In this example only 𝑥 = 0,1,2,3,4 is selected as our input values.

If we enlarge our input set to include all the real values of 𝑥, the graph of
a straight line will represent our function condition 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 2. (see below)

(4;6)
(3;5)
(2;4)
(0;2) (1;3)

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5. Venn Diagram

𝑥 𝑓(𝑥) (𝑦-values)
0 2

1 3

2 4

3 5

4 6

This is an example of one-to-one mapping.

Each value of 𝑥 is mapped to one 𝑦-value and that 𝑦-value is only linked
to one 𝑥-value.
The 𝑥-value set 𝑥 = 0,1,2,3,4 is called the DOMAIN.
The 𝑦-value set 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 2,3,4,5,6 is called the RANGE
RELATIONS
If a condition does not map one input to only one output value,
eg. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 5 , then we call it a RELATION.

∴ 𝑦 = ±√5 − 𝑥 2 (make 𝑦 the subject)

If 𝑥 = 1 𝑦 = ±√5 − 12 If 𝑥 = −1: 𝑦 = ±√5 − (−1)2

= ±√4 = ±√4
= ±2 = ±2

If 𝑥 = 2: 𝑦 = ±√5 − 22 If 𝑥 = −2: 𝑦 = ±√5 − (−2)2

= ±√1 = ±√1
= ±1 = ±1

If 𝑥 = 0: 𝑦 = ±√5 − 02
= ±√5
≈ ±2,2 …
Notice that for every 𝑥-value, there are TWO corresponding 𝑦-values. If we
draw this on a system of axes, it will be a circle.

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The vertical line test to determine if a graph represents a function

For functions:
If a vertical line is moved over the graph parallel to the 𝑦-axis, it should
intersect only once with the graph.
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

The vertical dotted lines intersect only once with the graph as it moves over
the graph. Therefore, one and only one 𝑦-value exist for every 𝑥-value.

The following graphs do NOT represent functions, but rather relations:

𝑦 𝑦

𝑥 𝑥

The vertical parallel lines intersect the graphs twice as it moves over the
graph. Therefore, two corresponding 𝑦-values exist for every 𝑥-value.

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FUNCTION NOTATION AND CALCULATIONS

𝑓(𝑥) represents the image of 𝑥.

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2, then
𝑓(1) = 1 + 2 = 3
𝑓(2) = 2 + 2 = 4
𝑓(3) = 3 + 2 = 5
𝑓(4) = 4 + 2 = 6

𝑓(4) = 6 means that the function maps 4 onto 6.

The 𝑦-value is 6 if the 𝑥-value is 4.

𝑓(4) is the 𝑦-value if 𝑥 = 4.

If an 𝑓(𝑥)-value is given, it means that an output value is given.

Find 𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 10

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2
The output value
10 = 𝑥 + 2 (𝑦-value) is given as 10
and 𝑥 must be solved.
8=𝑥

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Example 1

𝑓: 𝑥 → 2𝑥 + 3

1.1 Write an expression for 𝑓(𝑥).

1.2 Calculate 𝑓(1), 𝑓(2) and 𝑓(3).

1.3 Calculate 𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 11

1.4 If the domain consists of the values 𝑥 ∈ {1; 2; 3; 4; 5}, give the
corresponding value set for the range.

Solution

1.1 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3

1.2 𝑓(1) = 2(1) + 3 = 5

𝑓(2) = 2(2) + 3 = 7

𝑓(3) = 2(3) + 3 = 9

1.3 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3

11 = 2𝑥 + 3

2𝑥 = 8

𝑥=4

1.4 𝑓(4) = 2(4) + 3 = 11 𝑓(5) = 2(5) + 3 = 13

Range: 𝑦 ∈ {5; 7; 9; 11; 13}

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Sometimes it is necessary to distinguish between different functions.

The letters 𝑔, ℎ, 𝑘 etc. can also be used.

Example 2

1
ℎ: 𝑥 → 𝑥 − 2
3
2.1 Write an expression for ℎ(𝑥)

2.2 Calculate

ℎ(3), ℎ(9), ℎ(27) and ℎ(𝑏)

2.3 If ℎ(𝑥) = 2, determine 𝑥.

Solution
1
2.1 ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
3

1
2.2 ℎ(3) = (3) − 2 = −1
3
1
ℎ(9) = (9) − 2 = 1
3
1
ℎ(27) = (27) − 2 = 7
3
1
ℎ(𝑏) = 𝑏 − 2 (only substitute 𝑏 in the place of 𝑥)
3

1
2.3 ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
3
1
2= 𝑥−2
3
1
4= 𝑥
3
𝑥 = 12
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ZEROS
The zero(s) of an expression 𝑓(𝑥) are those 𝑥-value(s) which will make
𝑓(𝑥) = 0.

Example 3

Find the zero of 𝑓 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 10.

Solution

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 10

0 = 2𝑥 − 10 replace 𝑓(𝑥) with 0

10 = 2𝑥

𝑥=5 solve for 𝑥

Example 4

𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 12

Determine:

4.1 𝑔(1) 4.4 the zero of 𝑔.

4.2 𝑔(5) 4.5 𝑔(𝑎)

4.3 𝑥 if 𝑔(𝑥) = 21 4.6 𝑔(𝑎 − 1)

Solution
4.1 𝑔(1) = 3(1) − 12 = −9 4.4 0 = 3𝑥 − 12

4.2 𝑔(5) = 3(5) − 12 = 3 12 = 3𝑥

𝑥=4
4.3 21 = 3𝑥 − 12
4.5 𝑔(𝑎) = 3𝑎 − 12
33 = 3𝑥

𝑥 = 11 4.6 𝑔(𝑎 − 1) = 3(𝑎 − 1) − 12

= 3𝑎 − 3 − 12

= 3𝑎 − 15
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Example 5

Given: ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 9
Determine:
5.1 ℎ(2)

5.2 ℎ(10)

5.3 𝑥 if ℎ(𝑥) = 16

5.4 whether ℎ(𝑎) = ℎ(−𝑎)

5.5 the zeros of ℎ.

Solution

5.1 ℎ(2) = 22 − 9 = −5

5.2 ℎ(10) = 102 − 9 = 91

5.3 16 = 𝑥 2 − 9
25 = 𝑥 2
𝑥 = ±5

5.4 ℎ(𝑎) = 𝑎2 − 9
ℎ(−𝑎) = (−𝑎)2 − 9
= 𝑎2 − 9

Yes, ℎ(𝑎) = ℎ(−𝑎)

5.5 0 = 𝑥2 − 9
𝑥2 = 9
𝑥 = ±3

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Example 6
𝑥
Given: 𝑘(𝑥) =
𝑥+1

Determine, if possible:

6.1 𝑘(5)

6.2 𝑘(−1)

6.3 𝑘(0)

6.4 𝑥 if 𝑘(𝑥) = 10

6.5 The zero(s) of 𝑘.

6.6 𝑘(𝑥 − 2)

6.7 For which value(s) of 𝑥, is 𝑘(𝑥 − 2) not defined?

Solution

5 5
6.1 𝑘(5) = =
5+1 6
−1 −1
6.2 𝑘(−1) = = ∴undefined.
−1 + 1 0
0
6.3 𝑘(0) = =0
0+1
𝑥
6.4 10 =
𝑥+1
10𝑥 + 10 = 𝑥
9𝑥 = −10
−10
𝑥=
9
𝑥
6.5 0=
𝑥+1
𝑥=0
(When calculating what makes a fraction zero, set numerator = 0)

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𝑥−2
6.6 𝑘(𝑥 − 2) =
(𝑥 − 2) + 1

𝑥−2
=
𝑥−1

6.7 𝑥 = 1 (will lead to 0 in denominator)

EXERCISE 1

Given: 𝑔: 𝑥 → 2𝑥 2 − 50
1. Write down an expression for 𝑔(𝑥)

2. Determine the following

2.1 𝑔(0)

2.2 𝑔(2)

2.3 𝑥 if 𝑔(𝑥) = 0
(The answers for 𝑥 are the zeros of 𝑔.)

2.4 𝑥 if 𝑔(𝑥) = 78

2.5 𝑥 if 𝑔(𝑥 − 1) = −4(𝑥 + 12)

2.6 𝑔(𝑥 + ℎ)

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SPLIT-FUNCTIONS / PIECEWISE-DEFINED FUNCTIONS

2
Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = {𝑥 if 𝑥 is an even number
𝑥 + 5 if 𝑥 is an odd number

Here the function machine will apply a different rule according to whether a
number is odd or even.
𝑓(3) = 3 + 5 = 8 (add 5 to 3, because 3 is an odd number)

𝑓(10) = 102 = 100 (square the number 10, because 10 is an even number).

EXERCISE 2
𝑥−3 if 𝑥 is a negative number
Given ℎ(𝑥) = { 5 if 𝑥 = 0
3
𝑥 if 𝑥 is a positive number

Determine:

1. ℎ(5)

2. ℎ(−3) + ℎ(0)

3. 𝑥 if ℎ(𝑥) = 27 and 𝑥 > 0

4. 5ℎ(−1) + 3ℎ(2)

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HOW TO READ OFF FUNCTION VALUES FROM GRAPHICAL

REPRESENTATIONS
1
The function condition 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 is represented in the sketch graph
2
below:
y
4

1
x
-4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
-1

-2

-3

-4

• 𝑓(0) = 1 We look for the 𝑦-value on the graph opposite 0

on the 𝑥-axis. This is called the 𝒚-intercept of 𝑓.
1
• 𝑓(1) = 1 Draw a dotted line parallel to the 𝑦-axis from 𝑥 = 1
2
on the 𝑥-axis until you reach the graph.
Draw a dotted line parallel to the 𝑥-axis to the
1 1
𝑦-axis. This 𝑦-value is 1 . 𝑓(1) = 1
2 2
• 𝑓(2) = 2

• 𝑓(−2) = 0 (−2 is called the 𝒙-intercept of the graph, because it

is where the line cuts through the 𝑥-axis. Also called
the zero!)
𝑓(4) = 3

• Find 𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) = −1
On the graph, start where 𝑦 = −1 on the 𝑦-axis. Follow the dotted line
in the direction of the arrow until you reach the graph. Move vertically
upwards until the 𝑥-axis is reached.
This is where we find the answer of −4.

If 𝑥 = −4, then 𝑓(𝑥) = −1 or 𝑦 = −1

∴ 𝑓(−4) = −1

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Algebraically, we can verify this answer if we substitute 𝑓(𝑥) with −1

and continue to solve for 𝑥:

1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1
2
1
−1 = 𝑥 + 1
2
1
−2 = 𝑥
2

𝑥 = −4

Example 7

The graph of 𝑓 is given below:

y
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
x
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
𝑓
-7
-8
-9

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Determine, by reading off the graph:

7.1 𝑓(−6) + 2𝑓(1) + 𝑓(7) − 𝑓(−9)

7.2 𝑓(−4) + 𝑓(3) × 𝑓(8) + 𝑓(0)

7.3 the value of 𝑥 if

7.3.1 𝑓(𝑥) = 6

7.3.2 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

7.3.3 𝑓(𝑥) = −6

7.4 Write down the two 𝑥-intercepts

7.5 Write down the 𝑦-intercept.

Solution

7.1 𝑓(−6) + 2𝑓(1) + 𝑓(7) − 𝑓(−9)

= 2 + 2(2) + 6 − 0
= 12

7.2 𝑓(−4) + 𝑓(3) × 𝑓(8) + 𝑓(0)

=3 + 2 × 0 + 2
=3 + 0 + 2
=5

7.3.1 𝑥=7

7.3.2 𝑥 = −9 or 𝑥 = 8

7.3.3 𝑥=9

7.4 𝑥 = −9 or 𝑥 = 8

7.5 𝑦=2

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EXERCISE 3

The graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 are shown below.

Answer the following questions using the graphs to read off the answers:

y
9
8
𝑔
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 x
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
-1
-2
-3
𝑓
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9

Determine:

1. 𝑓(0) − 𝑔(0)

2. 𝑓(5) + 𝑔(−5)

3. 𝑔(6) + 5𝑓(−5)

4. 𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 0

5. 𝑥 if 𝑔(𝑥) = 0

6. 𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 6

7. Write down the 𝑥-intercepts of 𝑔.

8. Write down the 𝑦-intercept of 𝑓.

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HOMEWORK

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥
Determine:
1.1 𝑓(1)
1.2 𝑓(−2)
1.3 𝑓(𝑝)
1.4 𝑝 if 𝑓(𝑝) = 4 + 3𝑝
1.5 𝑓(𝑎 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑎)
1.6 the zeros of 𝑓

2. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3
Determine:
2.1 𝑔(−2)
1
2.2 𝑏 if 𝑔(𝑏) = −
4

−𝑥 if 𝑥 < 0
3. ℎ(𝑥) = { 100 if 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 3 − 1 if 𝑥 > 0

Determine:
3.1 ℎ(−5) + ℎ(0) − 2ℎ(3)
3.2 𝑥 if ℎ(𝑥) = 124 and 𝑥 > 0
3.3 The zero of ℎ if 𝑥 > 0.

1
4. If 𝑔(𝑥) = prove that: 𝑥 𝑔(𝑥 + 1) = (𝑥 − 1)𝑔(𝑥)
𝑥−1

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5. Given the graphs of 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 4 drawn below

on the grid paper.
y g
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 x
-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
f
-9

Use the graph to read off:

5.1 𝑔(1) and 𝑔(−1)

5.2 𝑓(2) and 𝑔(2)

(2 is a zero of both functions)

5.3 𝑓(0) − 𝑔(0)

5.4 𝑥 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 5

5.5 𝑥 if 𝑔(𝑥) = 5

5.6 The 𝑥-values where 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)

(This is where the graphs intersect each other.)

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