What do you mean by function and domain and range of a function?
Describe the types of
function.
Function: In mathematics, a function is a rule or relation that assigns each element in one set
(called the domain) to exactly one element in another set (called the range). In simple terms, it’s
like a machine where you input a number (from the domain), the machine performs some
operation, and gives an output (from the range).
Domain and Range of a Function
Domain: The set of all possible input values (independent variable, usually denoted as x) for which
the function is defined. It’s essentially the set of "allowable" values that can go into the function.
Range: The set of all possible output values (dependent variable, usually denoted as y) that the
function can produce based on the domain values.
For example: For the function f ( x) = x 2 , the domain is all real numbers ( ) because you can
square any real number. The range, however, is [0, ) since squaring a real number always gives
a non-negative result.
Types of Functions: There are various types of functions, each with different characteristics.
Here are some of the common types:
Linear Function: A function of the form f ( x ) = ax + b , where a and b are constants. It produces
a straight line when graphed.
Example: f ( x ) = 2 x + 1 .
Quadratic Function: A function of the form f ( x ) = ax 2 + bx + c , where a, 𝑏 and c are constants.
Its graph is a parabola.
Example: f ( x ) = x 2 − 4 x + 3 .
Polynomial Function: Any function that can be expressed in the form
f ( x ) = an x n + an −1 x n −1 + ... + a1 x + a0 , where an , an −1 ,..., a0 are constants, and n is a non-
negative integer.
Example: f ( x ) = 3 x3 − 2 x 2 + x − 5 .
Exponential Function: A function of the form f ( x ) = a x , where a is a positive constant and
a 1.
Example: f ( x ) = 2 x , e x .
Logarithmic Function: A function of the form f ( x ) = log a ( x ) , where a is the base and
a 0, a 1 .
Example: f ( x ) = log 2 ( x ) .
P ( x)
Rational Function: A function that is the ratio of two polynomials, i.e., f ( x ) = , where
Q ( x)
P ( x ) and Q ( x ) are polynomials.
x2 + 1
Example: f ( x) = .
x−2
Trigonometric Functions: Functions based on angles, commonly used in geometry, physics, and
engineering.
Example: f ( x ) = sin x, cos x, tan x .
Piecewise Function: A function defined by different expressions depending on the value of x.
x + 2, if x 0
Example: f ( x) = .
− x + 3, if x 0
Absolute Value Function: A function that gives the distance of a number from zero on the number
line, i.e., f ( x ) =∣ x∣ .
Example: f ( x ) =∣ x − 5∣ .
Inverse Function: A function that "reverses" the effect of another function. If f ( x ) maps x to
y , then the inverse function f −1 ( x) maps y back to x .
x−3
Example: If f ( x ) = 2 x + 3 , then f −1 ( x ) = .
2
