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Functions

A function f, is a relation between two sets with the property that each element in the first set is related to exactly one element in the second set.

f: X  →Y,                   X is the initial set and Y the final set (codomain)
x →y = f(x)          x is called independent variable (variable) and y is called dependent variable. f(x) is the image of x under f.


Example 1: the function that associates each student of this class with his or her age.


Example 2: the function that associates each natural number with its double.


There are 4 ways to express a function:


- Verbal way, as in the examples above.

- Algebraic way, with a formula. In the example 2:      y = f(x) = 2x

- With a table:

- With a graph:


The domain of a function is the subset of the initial set of the elements that have an image.


The range or image is the subset of the codomain of the elements that are images of an element of the domain.


Example 1: the initial set and the domain is the class, the codomain is the natural numbers and the range = {15, 16, 17}.


Example 2: the initial set and the domain is N and the range is the set of even numbers.


Example 3:


it is not a function

 

Example 4:


Domain = R
Range = [-3,3]

Example 5: Whole number portion function


Domain = R Range = Z

 

 

Exercises:

1.- Decide if the following relations are functions or not, and if they are, find their domain and range:

a) 

b) 

c) 

 

 

 

 

Solutions:

a) it's a function, dom = [-1,2]U[3,5)U(5,8], range = [0,5]

b) it's a function, dom = range = R

c) it is not a function

 

2.- True-False Question

Decide if the following relations are functions:

Pregunta 1

a) The relation that associates each student with his or her parents

Pregunta 2

b) The relation that associates each student with his or her favourite singer or singers

Pregunta 3

c) The relation that associates each form with its classroom