Symmetric about the y axis

FUNCTIONS
Symmetric about the origin
Even functions have y-axis Symmetry
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7

So for an even function, for every point (x, y) on

the graph, the point (-x, y) is also on the graph.
Odd functions have origin Symmetry
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7

So for an odd function, for every point (x, y) on the

graph, the point (-x, -y) is also on the graph.
 x-axis Symmetry
We wouldn’t talk about a function with x-axis symmetry
because it wouldn’t BE a function.

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
 A function is even if f( -x) = f(x) for every number x in
the domain.

So if you plug a –x into the function and you get the

original function back again it is even.

f ( x) = 5x − 2 x + 1
4 2 Is this function even?
YES
f ( − x ) = 5(− x) − 2(− x) + 1 = 5 x − 2 x + 1
4 2 4 2

f ( x ) = 2 x − x Is this function even?

3
NO
f ( − x ) = 2(−x) − (−x) = −2 x + x
3 3
 A function is odd if f( -x) = - f(x) for every number x in
the domain.

So if you plug a –x into the function and you get the

negative of the function back again (all terms change signs)
it is odd.

f ( x) = 5x − 2 x + 1
4 2 Is this function odd?
NO
f ( − x ) = 5(− x) − 2(− x) + 1 = 5 x − 2 x + 1
4 2 4 2

f ( x ) = 2 x − x Is this function odd? YES

3

f ( − x ) = 2(−x) − (−x) = −2 x + x
3 3
 If a function is not even or odd we just say neither
(meaning neither even nor odd)

Determine if the following functions are even, odd or

neither.
Not the original and all
f ( x) = 5x − 1
3
terms didn’t change
signs, so NEITHER.

f ( − x ) = 5( − x ) − 1 = − 5 x − 1
3 3

f ( x ) = −3 x − x + 2
4 2 Got f(x) back so
EVEN.

f ( − x ) = −3(− x) − (− x) + 2 = −3 x − x + 2
4 2 4 2