Pre-Sessional Mathematics 2020

Chapter 3

Functions

A function is a rule which assigns to each value of a variable x, one and only one value f(x), called
the value of the function at x. The domain of the function refers to the set of all possible values of
x, and the range is the set of all possible values of f(x). We use f(x), g(x), h(x) to denote functions.

Some Common Functions

Polynomial Functions

The general form of a polynomial function is

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑏𝑥 𝑛−1 + 𝑐𝑥 𝑛−2 + 𝑑𝑥 𝑛−3 + 𝑒𝑥 𝑛−4 + ⋯.

When n = 0, b = c = ...= 0, we get the constant function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎

When n = 1, c = d = .. = 0, we get the linear function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏
When n = 2, d = e = … = 0, we get the quadratic function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

Example 1

The cost of renting a backhoe at one distributor is $335, plus $50 per day. Write a linear function
C(x) that describes the cost of renting the backhoe for x days, then use your function to find how
much it would cost to rent it for 18 days.

Solution

𝐶(𝑥) = 50𝑥 + 335

The cost to rent for 18 days = 𝐶(18) = 50(18) + 335 = $1235

Exponential Function

A function of the general form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 , where b is a positive number, is called an exponential
Chapter 3 Functions

function with base b.

If n is a positive integer, 𝑏 𝑛 = 𝑏 × 𝑏 × … × 𝑏 (n times)

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𝑛 𝑚 𝑛 𝑛
If m and n are positive integers, 𝑏 𝑚⁄𝑛 = ( √𝑏) = √𝑏 𝑚 , where √𝑏 is the positive nth root.
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If the power is negative, 𝑏 −𝑛 = 𝑏𝑛

If the power is zero, 𝑏 0 = 1

If 0 < b < 1, for example b = ½, the graph of the function is as shown below.

If b > 1, for example b = 2, the graph of the function is as shown below.

Sine and Cosine Functions

In the right-angled triangle below, let opp = side opposite , adj = side adjacent to , and

hyp = hypotenuse (= side opposite right angle).

ℎ𝑦𝑝

𝑜𝑝𝑝

𝑎 𝑑𝑗

In any right-angled triangle (so that  is acute), we have

Chapter 3 Functions

opp adj
sin() = , cos() =
hyp hyp

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Angles may be measured in degrees or radians.

 radians = 180

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A right angle is 90, which is the same as π.
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In a circle with centre O and radius r, if the length of the arc AB is also r, then the angle subtended
by the arc AB, is defined as one radian.

Therefore, 1 radian corresponds to an arc length of r.

Therefore, 2 radians corresponds to an arc length of 2 r.
Hence, the circumference, C, of a circle with radius r is given by C = 2 r.

 = 3.1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 …

In calculus (differentiation and integration) the angle is always in radians.

The right-angled triangle with the angles of 30°-60°-90° has the sides in the ratio as shown
below

The right-angled triangle with the angles of 45°-45°-90° has the sides in the ratio as shown
below

Chapter 3 Functions

From the above two right angled triangles the following results can be derived.

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radians degrees sin cos

0 0 0 1

π 1 3
30
6 2 2

π 1 1
45
4 2 2

π 3 1
60
3 2 2

π
90 1 0
2

The graph of y = sin x

1 y = sin x

3 1 1 3
–2 –  – –  0    2 x
2 2 2 2

–1

The graph of y = cos x y

1 y = cos x

3 1 1 3
–2 –  – –     2
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0 x
2 2 2 2

–1

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The graphs of sin(x) and cos(x) are defined for all x. If the graph of sin(x) is translated by  to
2
the left, then the graph of cos(x) is obtained.

Notice that the graphs of sin and cos both oscillate (periodically, every 2) between –1 and 1.
Hence, –1  sin x  1 and –1  cos x  1, for all x.

Example 2

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 sin(𝑥) + 3 cos(𝑥), find

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑎) 𝑓 ( ) 𝑏)𝑓 ( ) 𝑐) 𝑓 ( )
6 4 3
Solution
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑎) 𝑓 ( ) = 2 sin ( ) + 3 cos ( )
6 6 6

1 √3 2 + 3√3
= 2( ) + 3( ) =
2 2 2

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑏) 𝑓 ( ) = 2 sin ( ) + 3 cos ( )
4 4 4
1 1 5
= 2( ) + 3( ) =
√2 √2 √2

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
𝑎) 𝑓 ( ) = 2 sin ( ) + 3 cos ( )
3 3 3

√3 1 3 + 2√3
= 2( ) + 3( ) =
2 2 2
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Logarithmic Functions

If x is a positive number, then the logarithm of x to base b (b > 0, b ≠ 1) denoted log 𝑏 𝑥, is the
number y such that 𝑏 𝑦 = 𝑥.

𝑦 = log 𝑏 𝑥 if and only if 𝑏 𝑦 = 𝑥 for 𝑥 > 0

Example 3

Solve each of the following equations for x:

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(a) log 4 𝑥 = 2 (b) log 64 16 = 𝑥 (c) log 𝑥 27 = 3

Solution
1
(a) log 4 𝑥 = 2

𝑥 = 41/2 = 2

(b) log 64 16 = 𝑥

4 2
16 = 64𝑥 , 24 = (26 )𝑥 , 24 = 26𝑥 , 4 = 6𝑥, 𝑥 = =
6 3

(c) log 𝑥 27 = 3

27 = 𝑥 3 , 33 = 𝑥 3 , 𝑥=3

Logarithmic rules

Let b be any logarithm base (b > 0, b ≠ 1). Then,

• log 𝑏 1 = 0 and log 𝑏 𝑏 = 1

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If u and v are any positive numbers, we have,

The equality rule: log 𝑏 𝑢 = log 𝑏 𝑣 if and only if u = v.

The product rule: log 𝑏 𝑢𝑣 = log 𝑏 𝑢 + log 𝑏 𝑣

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The power rule: log 𝑏 𝑢𝑟 = 𝑟 log 𝑏 𝑢 for any real number r

𝑢
The product rule: log 𝑏 (𝑣 ) = log 𝑏 𝑢 − log 𝑏 𝑣

The inversion rule: log 𝑏 𝑏 𝑢 = 𝑢

Example 4

(
Use logarithm rules to rewrite the expression in terms of log x and log y. log x1/ 3 y 4 )

Solution

log(𝑥1/3 𝑦 4 ) = log(𝑥 1/3 ) + log(𝑦 4 ) using product rule

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= 3 log(𝑥) + 4 log(𝑦) using power rule

Composition of functions

Suppose f(x) and g(x) are functions. Then, fg(x) (also written as f o g) is the composite function,
pronounced “f of g”, or “f after g”. We apply g first and then f for the composite function fg(x).
That is, fg(x) = f(g(x)). The following example illustrates composition of functions.

Let f(x) = x + 2 (x ∈ R) and g(x) = x2 (x ∈ R).

fg(x) = f(g(x)) = f(x2) = x2 + 2

gf(x) = g(f(x)) = g(x + 2) = (x + 2)2

Example 5

Find the composite function f ( g ( x ) ) .

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f (u ) = − u , g(x) = 2x – 3
u

Solution
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1 −4𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 8
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓(2𝑥 − 3) = − (2𝑥 − 3) =
2𝑥 − 3 2𝑥 − 3

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Example 6

Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 . Find expressions for the following composite functions.

𝑎) 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) 𝑏) 𝑓(𝑓(𝑥)) 𝑐) 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) 𝑑) 𝑔(𝑔(𝑥))

Solution

𝑎) 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓(𝑥 2 ) = 𝑥 2 + 2

𝑏) 𝑓(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑓(𝑥 + 2) = 𝑥 + 2 + 2 = 𝑥 + 4

𝑐) 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑔(𝑥 + 2) = (𝑥 + 2)2

𝑑) 𝑔(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑔(𝑥 2 ) = 𝑥 4

Functions in Economics

Functions in Economics

The demand for a product is the unit price p = D(x) at which x units are sold.

The supply of a product is the unit price p = S(x) producers are willing to make x units.

The revenue R obtained from selling x units at unit price p(x) is the product of unit price and
number of units sold. So R(x) = x p(x)

The profit P to produce x units is the difference in revenue and cost. So P(x) = R(x) – C(x).

The average cost AC obtained from selling x units at unit price p(x) is the total cost divided by
C ( x)
the number of units produced. So AC ( x) = .
x
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Demand and supply functions

Demand and supply functions describe the relationship between the price of a good, the amount
the consumers wish to buy and the quantity supplied to the market.

The demand function qD of the price p describes the demand quantity; qD(p) is the quantity which
would be sold if the price were p.

The supply function qS is such that qS(p) is the amount supplied when the market price is p.

The graph of the demand function is downward-sloping, whereas the graph of the supply function
is upward-sloping. This is to be expected, since, for example, as the price of a good increases, the
consumers are prepared to buy less of the good, and so the demand function decreases as price
increases. The graphs of the demand function and supply function are known, respectively, as the
demand curve and the supply curve.

Inverse demand function

There is another way to view the relationship between price and quantity demanded, where we ask
how much the consumers would be willing to pay for each unit of a good, given that a quantity q
is available. From this view point we are expressing p in terms of q, instead of the other way round.
We write pD(q) for the value of p corresponding to a given q, and we call pD the inverse demand
function. It is, as the name suggests, the inverse function to the demand function. For example,
with qD(p) = 4 - p, we have q = 4 - p and so p = 4 - q; thus, pD(q) = 4 - q.

Equilibrium price and quantity

The market is in equilibrium when the consumers have as much of the commodity as they want
and the suppliers sell as much as they want. This occurs when the quantity supplied matches the
quantity demanded, or, supply equals demand.

To find the equilibrium price p*, we solve pD(q) = pS(q) and then to determine equilibrium quantity
q* we compute q* = qD(p*) or q* = qS(p*).

Geometrically, the equilibrium occurs where the demand curve and supply curve intersect.
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Example 7

The supply equation for a good is q = 4p – 2 and the demand equation is q = –2p2 – 6p + 98, where
p is the price. Determine the equilibrium price and quantity.

Solution

At equilibrium, qS(p) = qD(p)

∴ 4p – 2 = –2p2 – 6p + 98
∴ 2p2 + 10p – 100 = 0, p2 + 5p – 50 = 0
∴ (p + 10)(p – 5) = 0 ∴ p* = 5 (since p ≥ 0)
∴ q* = 20 – 2 = 18

Hence, the equilibrium price and quantity are p* = 5 and q* = 18

Chapter 3 Functions

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Revision Problems

1. Use logarithm rules to rewrite the expression log(𝑥1/3 𝑦 4 ) in terms of log x and log y.

2. Solve for x if log 3 𝑥 = 4

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3. The functions 𝑓, 𝑔 and ℎ are given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1, 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 , ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥. Find
expressions for composite functions 𝑓𝑔(𝑥), 𝑔𝑓(𝑥), 𝑓ℎ(𝑥), ℎ𝑓(𝑥), 𝑔ℎ(𝑥) and ℎ𝑔(𝑥).

4. The supply and demand functions for a good are given, respectively, by
qS(p) = p2 + p – 1, qD(p) = –p2 – 9p + 27 ,

where p is the price. Determine the equilibrium price and quantity.

5. Find the value of sin and cos from the following triangles.

a)

b)

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Solutions to Revision Problems

1. Use logarithm rules to rewrite the expression log(𝑥1/3 𝑦 4 ) in terms of log x and log y.

log(𝑥1/3 𝑦 4 ) = log(𝑥1/3 ) + log(𝑦 4 )

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= log(𝑥) + 4 log(𝑦)
3

2. Solve for x if log 3 𝑥 = 4

log 3 𝑥 = 4 , 𝑥 = 34 , 𝑥 = 81

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3. The functions 𝑓, 𝑔 and ℎ are given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 1, 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 , ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥. Find
expressions for composite functions 𝑓𝑔(𝑥), 𝑔𝑓(𝑥), 𝑓ℎ(𝑥), ℎ𝑓(𝑥), 𝑔ℎ(𝑥) and ℎ𝑔(𝑥).

1 1 2
𝑓𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓 ( ) = ) +1
(
𝑥 𝑥

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𝑔𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥 2 + 1) =
𝑥2 +1

𝑓ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑓(√𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1

ℎ𝑓(𝑥) = ℎ(𝑥 2 + 1) = √𝑥 2 + 1

1
𝑔ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑔(√𝑥) =
√𝑥

1 1
ℎ𝑔(𝑥) = ℎ ( ) = √
𝑥 𝑥
Chapter 3 Functions

4. The supply and demand functions for a good are given, respectively, by
qS(p) = p2 + p – 1, qD(p) = –p2 – 9p + 27 ,

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where p is the price. Determine the equilibrium price and quantity.

At equilibrium, qS(p) = qD(p)

∴ p2 + p – 1 = –p2 – 9p + 27
∴ 2p2 + 10p – 28 = 0, p2 + 5p – 14 = 0
∴ (p + 7)(p – 2) = 0
∴ p* = 2 (since p ≥ 0), and q* = 4 + 2 – 1 = 5
Hence, the equilibrium price and quantity are p* = 2 and q* = 5

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5. 𝑎) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 17 , 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 17
5 12
𝑏) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = , 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 =
13 13

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