Section 3.

4
Objectives:
• Find function values
• Use the vertical line test
• Define increasing, decreasing and constant
functions
•Interpret Domain and Range of a function
Graphically and Algebraically
 Function: A function f is a correspondence from a set D to a set E that assigns to each
element x of D exactly one value ( element ) y of E

Graphical Illustration f

* f(w)

x * * f(x)

z * * f(z)

w * * f(5)

5 * * 3
* 4
* -9

D
E
f is a function
More illustrations….
* f(w)
f is not a function Why?
x * * f(x)

z * * f(z)
x in D has two values

w * * f(5)

5 * * 3
* 4
* -9
D
E
* f(w)
f is not a function Why?
x * * f(x)

z * * f(z) x in D has no values

w * * f(5)

5 * * 3
* 4
* -9
D
E
 Find function values

Example 1: Let f be the function with domain R such that f( x) = x2 for every x in R.

( i ) Find f ( -6 ), f( 3), f( a + b ), and f(a) + f(b) where a and b are real numbers.

f ( −6 ) =( −6 ) =36
2
Solution:

f ( 3) =( 3) 2
=3

f (a +b) =(a +b)

2
=a2 +2ab +b2

f ( a ) + f (b) = a 2 +b 2 Note: f ( a + b ) ≠ f( a ) + f ( b )
 Vertical Line Test
of functions

Vertical Line test: The graph of a set of points in a coordinate plane is the graph of a function if
every vertical line intersects the graph in at most one point

Example: check if the following graphs represent a function or not

Function Not Function Function

Function
 Increasing, Decreasing and Constant Function
Terminology Definition Graphical Interpretation
f is increasing f(x1) < f(x2)
y

}
over interval I whenever
x1 < x2

f(x1) { f(x2)

x1 x2 x
f is decreasing f(x1) > f(x2)
over interval I whenever y
x1 < x2

f(x1){ }f(x ) 2

x1 x2 x
f is constant f(x1) = f(x2)
over interval I
y
whenever

{ }
x1 = x2
f(x1) f(x2)
x1 x2 x
Example 1: Identify the interval(s) of the graph below where the function is
(a) Increasing
(b) Decreasing

Solution:

(a) Increasing ( − ∞,0)  ( 2, ∞ )

(b) Decreasing: (0,2 )
Example 2: Sketch the graph that is decreasing on ( − ∞,- 3] and [ 0, ∞), increasing on [ -3 ,0 ],
f(-3) = 2 and f (2 ) = 0
Solution:
decreasing increasing decreasing

-3 0
 Interpretation of Domain and Range
of a function f

f
Domain
is the Range
Set of all x is the set of all values
where f is f( x )
well defined Where x is in the
domain
 Graphical Approach to
Domain and Range
Example 1: Find the natural domain and Range of the graph of the function f below

The function f represents f (x ) = x2. f is well defined

Range everywhere in R. Therefore,

Domain = R = (−∞ ,+∞)

Every value of f is non-negative ( greater than or equal
to 0. Therefore ,
Range = [o,+∞)

Domain
More illustrations of Domain and Range of a graph of a function f

This graph does not end on both sides

Domain = (−∞ ,+∞)

Range = [0,+∞)

These two graphs seem similar, but the domain

and range are different

This graph ends, it is also

not defined at x = –2 and
well defined at x =2

Domain = (−2,2]

Range = [0,4]
 Find the natural domain and range of the following graphs
Class Exercise 1

Domain = [−2, 2) Range = [0,2] Domain = R = ( − ∞,∞ ) Range = [−1,1]

Domain = ( − ∞,−3) ( − 3,3)  ( 3, ∞ ) Domain = [ −6.75 ,−2.25 )  (0.75 ,5.25 ]

Range = R = ( − ∞,∞ ) Range = {−3} (0.75 ,3]

 Algebraic Approach to find the
Domain of a function f
Example 1: Find the natural domain of the following functions
(1) f ( x ) =3 x +1 ( Linear function )
(2 ) f ( x ) = 2 x +10 (Square root function )
3 x +1
(3) f (x ) =
2 x +10
2 x +10
(4 ) g (x ) =
3 x +1

Solution:
( 1 ) f is a linear function. f is well-defined for all x. Therefore, Domain = R
( 2 ) f is a square root function. f is well defined when

x ≥−5 Domain = [ −5, ∞)

2
x
+
1
≥
0

(3) f is well defined when

x >−5 Domain = (−5, ∞)
2
x
+
1
>
0

and 3 x +1 ≠ 0
2
x

(4) f is well defined when

+
1

Domain = [−5,−1 / 3)  (−1 / 3, ∞)

≥
0

-5 −1/ 3
Do all the Homework assigned in the syllabus for
Section 3.4