Advanced Functions

Fall 2017
Course Notes

Chapter 1 – Functions
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Functions
Contents with suggested problems from the Nelson Textbook

1.1 Functions – Pg 1 - 3
Read Example 3 on Page 9 - Pg. 11 – 13 #1 – 3, 5, 6, 7b-f, 9, 10, 12

1.2 Properties of Functions – Pg 4 – 12

Pg. 23 – 24 #5, 7 – 11 (1.3 in Nelson Text)

1.3 Transformations of Functions Review – Pg 13 - 15

Worksheet and graphs

1.4 Inverses of Functions – Pg 16 - 20

Pg. 43 – 45 #2 – 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15 (1.5 in Nelson)

1.5 Piecewise Defined Functions – Pg 21 - 25

(Abs. Value.) Pg. 16 #2, 4 – 8 (think about transformations!), 10 (1.2)
(Piecewise) Pg. 51 – 53 #1 – 5, 7 – 9 (1.6)

1.6 Combining Functions – Pg 26 - 29

Pg. 56 – 57 #1, 2a, 3b, 7 (1.7)

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1.1 Functions
There are some people who argue that mathematics has just two basic building blocks: Numbers
and Operations. This course is concerned with functions which can be considered number
generators. A function takes a given number, and using mathematical operations generates
another number. We will be examining the relationship between the given numbers, and the
generated numbers for various functions.

Definition 1.1.1
A Function is

Pictures
Vertical Line Test

Arrow Diagrams

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Definition 1.1.2
Domain of a Function:

Range of a Function

Function Notation
We use the notation f ( x) to “name” a function. This notation is powerful because it
contains both the domain and the range. For example we might write f (2) , which shows
that the domain value is x  2 , and that the range value (which we must calculate) is
denoted f (2) .

Definition 1.1.3
The Graph of a function is

Example 1.1.1
Given the graph of the function f ( x)  (3, 4),(2, 1),(7,8),(4, 2),(5, 4) determine:
a) D f
b) R f
c) Is f ( x) a function?

Example 1.1.2
Consider the sketch of the graph of g ( x) ,
and determine:
a) Dg
b) Rg
c) Is g ( x) a function?

Figure 1.1.2

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 Note: In the above examples we have seen functions (and non-
functions which we call relations) depicted graphically and
numerically. We now turn to algebraic representations of
functions. It is much more difficult to determine domain
and range for functions given in an algebraic form, but the
algebraic form is incredibly useful!

Example 1.1.3
State the domain and range of the functions given in algebraic form.
a) f ( x)  3cos(2 x)
b) g (t )  (t  2) 2  1
2
c) h( x) 
x 1

Notations for Domain and Range

Interval Notation Set Notation Pseudo-set Notation

Class/Homework for Section 1.1

Read Example 3 on Page 9

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Pg. 11 – 13 #1 – 3, 5, 6, 7b-f, 9, 10, 12
1.2 Properties of Functions
Recall that we define the graph of a function to be the SET of Ordered Pairs:

We can visualize the graph of a function by plotting its ordered pairs on the Cartesian axes.

Example 1.2.1

e.g. f ( x)  x 2 has the graph

and looks like

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 Characteristics of a Function’s Graph

Over the course we will be studying Polynomial, Rational, Trigonometric, Exponential and
Logarithmic Functions. For now we are focussed on Polynomial and Rational Functions, but for
each type of function we will try and understand various functional (fnal) behaviours (or
characteristics).

The characteristics (behaviours) we are primarily interested in studying are:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Note: Generally a geometric point of view will

just mean that we’ll look at pictures, but
Geometry is actually much deeper than that!

Intervals of Increase and Decrease

We will examine (when possible) functional behaviour from both algebraic and geometric points
of view.

Definition 1.2.1

A function f ( x) is said to be increasing on the open interval (a, b) when

A function f ( x) is said to be decreasing on the open interval (a, b) when

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 Note the difference between open and closed intevals:

An open interval

A closed interval

Example 1.2.2

Consider the function f ( x) , represented

graphically:

Determine where f ( x) is increasing and

decreasing.

Figure 1.2.2

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 Odd vs. Even Functions

Note: This functional behaviour deals with SYMMETRY rather than the “power(s)” that you
might see in various terms of the function.

Basic Definitions:
• Even Functions are symmetric around the

• Odd Functions are symmetric around the

Graphical point of view:

Even Functions Odd Functions

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Algebraically we will consider definitions for Even and Odd Functions:

Definition 1.2.2

A function f ( x) is even if

A function f ( x) is odd if

Example 1.2.3

a) Show f ( x)  3 x 4  2 x 2  5 is even .

b) Show g ( x)  5 x3  2 x is odd.

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 c) Are i) f (t )  5t 3  2t  1 and
3x3  2 x 
ii) h( x)  2 odd or even?
x 1

Continuity

For the time being we will consider a (quite) rough definition of what it means for a function to
be continuous. In fact, we will see that understanding what it means for a function to be
discontinuous may be more helpful for now. In the course Calculus and Vectors, a formal,
algebraic definition of continuity will be considered.

Rough Definition
A function f ( x) is continuous (cts) on its domain D f if

Pictures

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There are 3 types of discontinuities:

1)

2)

3)

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 End Behaviour of Functions

Here we are concerned with how the function is behaving as x gets

As x gets (which we write x  ,or x  )

the functional values (for whatever function we are studying) can do one of three things:

1) e.g. as x  , f ( x) 

2)

3)

Pictures:

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 Class/Homework for Section 1.2

Pg. 23 – 24 #5, 7 - 11
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1.3 Transformations of Functions
This section is pure review of material from Grade 11. If you’ve forgotten certain aspects of the
concepts, ask for help. Recall that there are three basic transformations of functions. You’ve
probably heard of Flips, Stretches and Shifts. More formal mathematical terms would be
Reflections, Dilations and Translations, respectively. Recall also that transformations can occur
both vertically and horizontally.

Definition 1.3.1
Given a function f ( x) , then we denote transformations to f ( x) as

Class/Homework for Section 1.3

Complete the table on the Transformations Review

Worksheet, and make sketches of all base and
transformed functions. Hand in sketches for six of the 13
functions.
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1.4 Inverses of Functions
The inestimable William Groot has a saying:

An Inverse Relation is an UNDO

Definition 1.4.1
A relation is simply an algebraic relationship between domain values and range values.

Note: All functions are relations, but not all relations are functions

e.g. x 2  y 2  25 is a relation, but it is not a function (it’s a circle and so doesn’t pass
the VLT)

Consider the Arrow Diagram:

Big Concept

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Example 1.4.1
Given the graph of f ( x) determine: D f , R f , f 1 ( x), D f 1 , R f 1

f ( x)  (2,3),(4, 2),(5,6),(6, 2)

Horizontal Line Test

Consider the Sketches

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 Determining the Inverse of a Function

We can determine the inverse of some given function in either of two ways: Graphically and
Algebraically.
Note: Finding a function inverse
graphically is not a very useful
Function Inverses Graphically method, but it can be instructive.

Restricting the Domain

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 Function Inverses Algebraically

Determining algebraic representations of inverse relations for given functions can be done in (at
least) two ways:

1) Use algebra in a “brute force” manner (keeping in mind the Big Concept)
2) Use Transformations (keeping in mind “inverse operations”)

Example 1.4.2 Here we will use “brute force”.

1 Method:
Determine the inverse of f ( x)  2  x  1  2 . 1) Switch x and f ( x) , and
3
State the domain and range of both the function and call "f ( x)", f 1 ( x).
its inverse. 2) Solve for f 1 ( x)

Example 1.4.3
1
Using transformations determine the inverse of f ( x)  2  x  1  2 .
3

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Example 1.4.4
Determine the inverse of g ( x)  2  x  1  3 .
2

Note that the natural domain of g ( x) is  ,   . However, g ( x) does not pass the HLT
so its inverse is not a function. Determine a restricted domain for g ( x) so that g 1 ( x) is a
function.

Example 1.4.5
Given f ( x)  kx 2  3 and given f 1 (5)  2, find k.

Two methods:

Class/Homework for Section 1.4

Pg. 43 – 45 #2 – 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15

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1.5 Piecewise Defined Functions
Some aspects of “reality” exhibit different (as opposed to changing)

To capture those different mathematically may require using different

over different of the domain.

Absolute Value

Before discussing piecewise defined functions in general, we will first review the concept of
absolute value.

Definition 1.5.1
The absolute value of a number, x, is given by

e.g.’s
22 
8 
8  13 

Absolute Value Functions

We can define the function which returns the

absolute value for any given number as

f ( x)  x  Picture

(Two behaviours!)

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We can go further and define functions which return the absolute value for more complicated
expressions.

e.g. Sketch g ( x)  x 2  1 (note: g(x) takes the absolute value of the functional values for the
“basic” function f ( x)  x 2  1 )

(Three functional behaviours)

Absolute Value and Domain Intervals (and Quadratic Inequalities)

e.g.’s Sketch the solution sets of the following inequalities:

a) x  1

b) x  2

c) 1  x  4

d)  2  x  2

Note the symmetry in part d)! Sometimes it’s useful to think of absolute value as

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Using the above notion we can thus use absolute value to denote the interval 2  x  2 as

e.g. Solve the quadratic equation

x2  4

e.g. Solve the quadratic inequalities, and sketch the solution sets:
a) x 2  4

b) x 2  3

And now we return our attention to general Piecewise Defined Functions

Example 1.5.1
You are saving for university, and place $1000 into a sock every six months. After 18
months you wake up and put the money in your sock into an interest bearing bank
account. You continue making deposits. Give a graphical representation of this situation.

What is the behaviour of

the amount of money you
have saved? How is the
behaviour changing?

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Example 1.5.2
Note the notation we use for
Determine the graphical representation for:
piecewise defined functions. Each
functional behaviour has a
 x2 , x  [1, 2)
 mathematical representation,
f ( x)  2, x  [2,3] defined over its own piece of the
 x  1, x  (3, )
 domain (just like the Absolute Value
function we considered earlier.

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Example 1.5.3
Determine a possible algebraic representation which describes the given functional
behaviour.

Figure 1.5.3

Class/Homework for Section 1.5

(Abs. Value.) Pg. 16 #2, 4 – 8 (think about transformations!), 10

(Piecewise) Pg. 51 – 53 #1 – 5, 7 – 9
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1.6 Combinations of Functions
By now you should have a pretty good sense of how to combine numbers.

4
e.g. 3  5, 7  4, or 3.9  etc.
3

Functions can be thought of as number generators, and if numbers can be combined, then in the
same way (using the basic algebraic operations) we should be able to combine functions too.

A BIG QUESTION to ask is:

A BIGGER QUESTION to ask is:

Going back to basic graphs of functions may prove helpful in understanding what’s happening
here.

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Example 1.6.1
Given the functions
f ( x)  (1, 2), (0,5), (1,  ), (2, 4)
  2 
g ( x)  (2,1), (1, 1), (0,5), 1, 
  3 
determine:
a) f ( x)  g ( x)
b) g(x)  f(x)
c) g ( x)    f ( x) 

Note how the domain of the combined functions is

determined by the domains of the original
functions!

Definition 1.6.1
Given the functions f ( x) and g ( x) with domains D f and Dg respectively,

then the domain of the combined function  f  g  ( x) is given by:

(Note: The operation "" could mean any of the basic algebraic operations)

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Example 1.6.2
Given the sketches of the functions f ( x) and g ( x) determine graphically (giving both a
rough sketch and a sample (at least 3 points) of the graph):

a) f ( x)  g ( x)
b) f ( x)  g ( x)
c)  g ( x) 
2

Figure 1.6.2

a)

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 b)

c)

Class/Homework for Section 1.6

Pg. 56 – 57 #1, 2a, 3b, 7

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