1.

4 Determining the Domain

and Range of a Function

GOAL YOU WILL NEED

• graph paper
Use tables, graphs, and equations to find domains and ranges • graphing calculator
of functions.

LEARN ABOUT the Math

The CN Tower in Toronto has a lookout level that is 346 m
above the ground.

A gull landing on the guardrail causes a pebble to fall off the edge.

The speed of the pebble as it falls to the ground is a function

of how far it has fallen. The equation for this function is
v(d) 5 !2gd , where
• d is the distance, in metres, the pebble has fallen
• v(d ) is the speed of the pebble, in metres per second (m/s)
• g is the acceleration due to gravity—about 9.8 metres per second squared (m>s2 )

? How can you determine the domain and range of the

function v(d)?

EXAMPLE 1 Selecting a strategy to determine the domain

and range

Determine the domain and range of v(d ), the pebble’s speed.

Sally’s Solution: Using a Graph

The pebble falls a total distance of The distance d is 0 m when the

346 m. So the domain is 0 # d # 346. pebble first falls off the edge and
346 m when the pebble lands on
the ground. So d can take only
values that lie in between 0 and
346. This gave me the domain for
the function.

I entered Y= ! 19.6 x into my

2 3 9.8 5 19.6, so the function is
graphing calculator. I used
v(d ) 5 "19.6d for 0 # d # 346 0 # X # 346, Xscl 20 and
0 # Y # 100, Yscl 10 for
WINDOW settings.

NEL Introduction to Functions 29

 I saw that the graph started at the
Range:
origin.

The pebble starts with no velocity.

So 0 is the minimum value of the
range.

The graph showed me that as the

pebble’s distance increases, so does
its velocity. The pebble must be
travelling the fastest when it hits
the ground. This happens when
v(346) 8 82.4 d 5 346. The maximum value of
So the range is 0 # v(d ) # 82.4. the range is v(346) . I evaluated this
using the value operation.

Domain 5 5d [ R | 0 # h # 3466 I used set notation to write the

Range 5 5v(d ) [ R | 0 # v(d ) # 82.46

domain and range. I defined them
real numbers as sets of real numbers.
numbers that are either rational
or irrational; these include
positive and negative integers,
zero, fractions, and irrational David’s Solution: Using the Function Equation
numbers such as ! 2 and p
d 5 0 when the pebble begins to fall, I found the domain by thinking

Communication Tip and d 5 346 when it lands. about all the values that d could
have. d is 0 m when the pebble first
Set notation can be used to So the domain is 0 # d # 346.
falls off the edge and 346 m when
describe domains and
the pebble lands on the ground.
ranges. For example,
5x [ R | 0 # x , 506 is read
So d must take values between
0 and 346.
“the set of all values x that
belong to the set of real
The pebble fell off the edge, so the
numbers, such that x is greater The pebble starts with speed 0 m/s.
speed was zero at the start.
than or equal to 0 and less
than 50.” The symbol “|”
stands for “such that.” v(0) 5 "19.6(0) 5 0 I used the equation as a check.

I knew that the pebble would gain

As the pebble falls, its speed increases.
speed until it hit the ground.

When the pebble lands, d 5 346. I used the function equation to find
v(346) 5 "19.6(346)
how fast the pebble was falling
when it landed.
5 82.4, to one decimal place
The domain is 5d [ R | 0 # d # 3466
I used set notation to write the
domain and range.
and the range is
5v(d ) [ R | 0 # v(d ) # 82.46.

30 Chapter 1 NEL
 1.4
Reflecting
A. Why did Sally need to think about the possible values for distance fallen
before she graphed the function?
B. What properties of the square root function helped David use the given
equation to find the domain and range?

APPLY the Math

EXAMPLE 2 Determining domain and range from graphs

For each relation, state the domain and range and whether the relation is a function.
a) y c) y
4 4
2 2
x x

4
2 0 2 4
4
2 0 2 4

2
2

4
4

b) y d) y
10 4
5 2
x x

10
5 0 5 10
4
2 0 2 4

5
2

10
4

Melanie’s Solution

a) Domain 5 5x [ I | 23 # x # 36, I noticed that the x-coordinates were

or 523, 22, 21, 0, 1, 2, 36 all the integers from 23 to 3 and
Range 5 5 y [ I | 22 # y # 46, or the y-coordinates were all the
522, 21, 0, 1, 2, 3, 46
integers from 22 to 4.

The graph passes the vertical-line

The graph is that of a function.
test.

NEL Introduction to Functions 31

 b) Domain 5 5x [ R | 25 , x # 116
An open circle on the graph shows
that the endpoint of the line is not
included in the graph. A closed circle
means that the endpoint is included.
So, x cannot be 25, but it can be 11.

Range 5 52, 66 There are only two y-values.

This is a function. The graph passes the vertical-line test.

c) Domain 5 5x [ R6 The graph is a parabola with a

Range 5 5 y [ R | y # 3) 6
maximum value at the vertex, which
is the point (1, 3).

Therefore, x can be any real number,

but y cannot be greater than 3.

This is a function. The graph passes the vertical-line test.

The graph is a circle with centre

d) Domain 5 5x [ R | 25 # x # 56 (0, 0) and radius of 5. The graph
Range 5 5 y [ R |25 # y # 56 fails the vertical-line test. There are
many vertical lines that cross the
This is not a function. graph in two places

EXAMPLE 3 Determining domain and range from

the function equation

Determine the domain and range of each function.

a) f (x) 5 2x 2 3 b) g(x) 5 23(x 1 1) 2 1 6 c) h(x) 5 !2 2 x

Jeff’s Solution

a) f (x) 5 2x 2 3 This is the equation of a straight

line that goes on forever in both
This is a linear function, so x and y can directions.
be any value.
x and f(x) can be any numbers.
Domain 5 5x [ R6
I used y instead of f(x) to
Range 5 5 y [ R6 describe the range.

b) g(x) 5 23(x 1 1) 2 1 6 This is the equation of a parabola

This is a quadratic equation in vertex form. that opens down, so y can never be
The function has a maximum value at more than its value at the vertex.
the vertex (21, 6). x can be any value. Any value of x will work in the
Domain 5 5x [ R6 equation, so x can be any number.

Range 5 5 y [ R | y # 66

32 Chapter 1 NEL
 1.4

c) h(x) 5 !2 2 x You cannot take the square root

of a negative number, so 2 2 x
22x$0
must be positive or zero.
2 2 x $ 0 as long as x # 2
I thought about different possible
Domain 5 5x [ R | x # 26 values of x. 2 is okay, since
!2 2 x means the positive square root, 2 2 2 5 0, but 4 is not, since
2 2 4 is negative. I realized I had to
so y is never negative.
use values less than or equal to 2.
Range 5 5 y [ R | y $ 06

EXAMPLE 4 Determining domain and range

of an area function

Vitaly and Sherry have 24 m of fencing to

enclose a rectangular garden at the back
of their house.
a) Express the area of the garden as a
function of its width.
b) Determine the domain and
range of the area function.

Jenny’s Solution

a) Let the width of the garden be x m. They need fencing on only three sides
Then the length is (24 2 2x) m. of the garden because the house
forms the last side.

To find the length, I subtracted the

x x two widths from 24.

24
2x

Let the area be A(x). Area 5 width 3 length

A(x) 5 x(24 2 2x) I factored out 22 from 24 2 2x to
write the function in factored form.
A(x) 5 22x(x 2 12)
b) The smallest the width can This is a quadratic function that opens
approach is 0 m. The largest the down. It has two zeros, at 0 and 12.
width can approach is 12 m. The vertex lies halfway in between the

Domain 5 5x [ R | 0 , x , 126
zeros, above the x-axis, so the numbers
in the domain have to be between 0
and 12. Any number # 0 or $ 12 will
result in a zero or negative area, which
doesn’t make sense.

NEL Introduction to Functions 33

 x 5 (0 1 12) 4 2 The vertex is halfway between
x 5 0 and x 5 12. The x-coordinate
x56 of the vertex is 6.

I substituted x 5 6 into the area

A(6) 5 22(6) (6 2 12)
function to find the y-coordinate of
5 72 the vertex. Since area must be a
positive quantity, all the output
The area ranges from 0 to 72 m2.
values of the function must lie
Range between 0 and 72.
5 5A(x) [ R | 0 , A(x) # 726

In Summary
Key Ideas
• The domain of a function is the set of values of the independent variable for
which the function is defined. The range of a function depends on the
equation of the function. The graph depends on the domain and range.
• The domain and range of a function can be determined from its graph, from
a table of values, or from the function equation. They are usually easier to
determine from a graph or a table of values.

Need to Know
• All linear functions include all the real numbers in their domains. Linear
functions of the form f(x) 5 mx 1 b, where m 2 0, have range 5 y [ R6.
Constant functions f(x) 5 b have range {b}.
• All quadratic functions have domain 5x [ R6 . The range of a quadratic function
depends on the maximum or minimum value and the direction of opening.
• The domains of square root functions are restricted because the square root
of a negative number is not a real number. The ranges are restricted because
the square root sign refers to the positive square root. For example,
• The function f(x) 5 ! x has domain 5 5x [ R | x $ 06 and

range 5 5y [ R | y $ 06.
• The function g(x) 5 ! x 2 3 has domain 5 5x [ R | x $ 36 and

range 5 5y [ R | y $ 06.
• When working with functions that model real-world situations, consider
whether there are any restrictions on the variables. For example, negative
values often have no meaning in a real context, so the domain or range must
be restricted to nonnegative values.

34 Chapter 1 NEL
 1.4

CHECK Your Understanding

1. State the domain and range of each relation.
a) b)
Year of Birth Life Expectancy (years)
5 9
1900 47.3
1 15
1920 54.1 0 17
3 23
1940 62.9
1960 69.7
c) 5(24, 7), (0, 5), (0, 3), (3, 0), (5, 21)6
1980 73.7
2000 77.0

2. State the domain and range of each relation.

a) y d) y
8 8
4 4
x x

8
4 0 4 8
8
4 0 4 8

4
4

8
8

b) y e) y
8 8
4 4
x x

8
4 0 4 8
8
4 0 4 8

4
4

8
8

c) y f) y
8 8
4 4
x x

8
4 0 4 8
8
4 0 4 8

4
4

8
8

3. Identify which of the relations in questions 1 and 2 are functions.

4. Determine the domain and range of the function f (x) 5 2(x 2 1) 2 2 3 by

sketching its graph.

NEL Introduction to Functions 35

 PRACTISING
5. The graph shows how 2007 prices for mailing letters in Canada vary with mass.

Canadian Domestic Letter Prices

y
2.50

2.00

1.50
Price ($)

1.00

0.50

x
0.00
100 200 300 400 500
Mass (g)

a) Explain why this relation is a function. Why is it important for this

to be so?
b) State the domain and range of the function.
6. The route for a marathon is 15 km long. Participants may walk, jog, run, or
cycle. Copy and complete the table to show times for completing the
marathon at different speeds.

Speed (km/h) 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 15 20
Time (h) 15.0 7.5

Graph the relation in the table and explain how you know that it is a
function. State the domain and range of the function.
7. A relation is defined by x 2 1 y 2 5 36.
K a) Graph the relation.
b) State the domain and range of the relation.
c) Is the relation a function? Explain.
8. Write a function to describe coffee dripping into a 10-cup carafe at a rate of
1 mL/s. State the domain and range of the function (1 cup 5 250 mL).

36 Chapter 1 NEL
 1.4
9. Determine the domain and range of each function.
2
a) f (x) 5 23x 1 8 d) p(x) 5 (x 2 2) 2 2 5
3
5
b) g(x) 5 20.5(x 1 3) 2 1 4 e) q(x) 5 11 2 x
2
c) h(x) 5 !x 2 1 f ) r(x) 5 !5 2 x
10. A ball is thrown upward from the roof of a 25 m building. The ball reaches a
A height of 45 m above the ground after 2 s and hits the ground 5 s after being
thrown.
a) Sketch a graph that shows the height of the ball as a function of time.
b) State the domain and range of the function.
c) Determine an equation for the function.
11. Write the domain and range of each function in set notation.
a) f (x) 5 4x 1 1 c) f (x) 5 3(x 1 1) 2 2 4
b) f (x) 5 !x 2 2 d) f (x) 5 22x 2 2 5
12. Use a graphing calculator to graph each function and determine the domain
and range.
a) f (x) 5 !3 2 x 1 2
1
c) h(x) 5
x2
b) g(x) 5 x 2 2 3x d) p(x) 5 !x 2 2 5
13. A farmer has 450 m of fencing to enclose a rectangular area and divide it into
T two sections as shown.
a) Write an equation to express the total area enclosed as a function of the
width.
b) Determine the domain and range of this area function.
c) Determine the dimensions that give the maximum area.
14. Determine the range of each function if the domain is 523, 21, 0, 2.5, 66.
a) f (x) 5 4 2 3x b) f (x) 5 2x 2 2 3x 1 1
15. Explain the terms “domain” and “range” as they apply to relations and
C functions. Describe, with examples, how the domain and range are
determined from a table of values, a graph, and an equation.

Extending
16. a) Sketch the graph of a function whose domain is 5x [ R6 and range is
5 y [ R | y # 2)6.
b) Sketch the graph of a relation that is not a function and whose domain is
5x [ R | x $ 246 and range is 5 y [ R6.
17. You can draw a square inside another square by placing each vertex of the
x
inner square on one side of the outer square. The large square in the diagram
has side length 10 units.
a) Determine the area of the inscribed square as a function of x.
b) Determine the domain and range of this area function.
c) Determine the perimeter of the inscribed square as a function of x.
d) Determine the domain and range of this perimeter function.

NEL Introduction to Functions 37