MATH 111: Calculus I Stan Manu, PhD

Week 1: Review of Functions and Models Introduction The differential and integral calculus is based on two concepts of outstanding importance, apart from the concept of number, namely, the concepts of function and limit. This lesson reviews the basic functions, their graphs and properties. Definition 1.1 Like a machine, a function takes an input, x, and returns an output (x). It is a rule that assigns to each element x in a set D exactly one element, called f(x), in a set R. Input x x a function f 3 f(a) f(3) f(x)

f D Output f(x) machine diagram arrow or set diagram R

The set D is called the domain of the function. The range of f is the set of all possible values of f(x) as x varies throughout the domain. The number f(x) is the value of f at x and is read f of x. A function describes how one quantity depends on another. (a) Area A of a circle depends on its radius r. (b) Cost C of mailing a package depends on the size (weight m or dimensions l, w, h) of the letter. (c) Speed v of a car depends on time t. In the above examples, the second variables (A, C, and v) depend on the first variables (r, m, l, w, h, and t). A symbol that represents an arbitrary number in the domain is called an independent variable. A symbol that represents a number in the range of f is called a dependent variable. The graph of a function f is the collection of all ordered pairs (x, f(x)). This is represented as ( x, f ( x)) x D . It can also be represented in different ways: algebraically by an equation or explicit formula; numerically in a table; visually by a graph; or verbally by a description in words. In the coordinate plane, the graph of f consists of all points (x, y) such that y f (x) and x is in the domain of f. The value of f(x) from the graph is the height of the graph above the point x on the x-axis.

( x , f ( x ))

range

(3, f(3))

y=f(x)

f(3)

3 domain

Example: Consider the graph of a function f in Figure 6 (Text, page 12). (a) Find the values of f(1), f(2), f(6) and f(8). (b) What are the domain and range of f? Note: If a function is given by a formula, the domain is the set of all real numbers which for which the formula makes sense. Example: Find the domains of the functions f ( x)

x 2) and g ( x)

3 x
2

2x

Vertical Line Test A curve in the xy-plane is the graph of a function of x if and only if no vertical line intersects the curve more than once. Examples: (a) x
y2 2

(b) y

x 2

(c) x 2

y2

(d) y

x(x 3)

Definition 1.2 A piecewise defined function is a function which is defined algebraically using two or more formulas. The piecewise functions are defined by different formulas in deferent parts of their domains. Example: Consider f ( x)

x 2 1 if x 2 x if x

2 and g ( x) 2

x if x x if x

0 0

Exercise: Using the functions f(x) and g(x) above, evaluate f(0), f(2), f(4), g(-3) and g(5). The graph of a piecewise function also depends on the parts of the domain. Example: Graph the function f ( x)

x 2 4 if x 2 x 2 if x 2

A step function is a piecewise defined function whose y-values jump from one value to the next. Example: Let f ( x) [ x] = the greatest integer less than or equal to x. The graph of greatest integer function: Definition 1.3 A function f is even if f ( x) f ( x) for every x in its domain. A function f is odd if f ( x) f ( x) for every x in its domain. Examples: f ( x) x 2 is even while g ( x) x 3 and h( x) 3x x 2 is neither even nor odd.
x is odd

Definition 1.4 Let f be a function with domain D and range R. A function g with domain R and range D is an inverse function for f if, for all x in D, y = f(x) if and only if x = g(y). The inverse function for f is denoted by f -1. A function f is one to one if f ( x1 ) f ( x2 ) whenever x1 x 2 . In other words, given two points a and b in the domain of f such that f(a) = f(b), then a = b. A horizontal line can intersect a graph of a one-toone function only once. If f is a one-to-one function with domain D and range R, then its inverse function f f ( x) y for any y in R. range D and is defined by f 1 ( y ) x 1 Note: f 1 ( x ) does not mean . f ( x) Example: If f(1) = 5, f(2) = 3, and f(6) = 12, then f
1

has domain R and

( 5) 1 , f

(3)

2 and f

(12 )

To find the inverse function of a one-to-one function f, the following steps apply: Step 1: Write y f (x) . Step 2: Solve this equation for x in terms of y (if possible). Step 3: Interchange x and y, and the resulting equation is y f 1 ( x) . Example: Find the inverse function of f ( x) The graph of f
1

2x3

3.

can be obtained by reflecting the graph of f about the line y = x.

2 x and its inverse function using the same coordinate axes.

Example: Sketch the graphs of f ( x)

Definition 1.5 A function f is called increasing on an interval I if f ( x1 ) A function f is called decreasing on an interval I if f ( x1 )

f ( x2 ) whenever x1 f ( x2 ) whenever x1

x 2 in I. x 2 in I.

Definition 1.6 A function P is called a polynomial if P( x) a n x n a n 1 x n 1 ... a3 x 3 a 2 x 2 a1 x a , where n is a nonnegative integer and the numbers a , a1 , a 2 ,..., a n 1 , a n are the constant coefficients of the polynomial. Example: quadratic and cubic functions (highest degree is 2 or 3). Definition 1.7 A rational function f is a ratio of two polynomials: f ( x) The domain consists of all values of x such that Q(x) Example: The function f ( x)
2x 4 x 2 1 is a rational function with domain x x x2 4 P( x) , where P and Q are polynomials. Q( x)

0.

2 . See FIGURE 16 (p. 31)

Definition 1.8 A function f is called an algebraic function if it can be constructed using algebraic operations (including taking roots) starting with polynomials. Therefore any rational function is an algebraic function. There are functions that are not algebraic. These include the transcendental functions such as trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions. Definition 1.9 The trigonometric functions (also called circular or periodic functions) are functions of an angle. The most familiar trigonometric functions are the sine, cosine, and tangent. Definition 1.10 An exponential function with base a is a function of the form f ( x ) Examples: Sketch the graphs of y
2x , y
3 x , and y

a x where a is a positive constant.

e x [See graphs on page 57 of the Text]

Notes: 1) If x = 0, then any base to power 0 equals 1, which is the y-intercept. 2) The constant e was chosen (by Euler) so that the slope of the tangent line at the point (0,1) is exactly 1. Exponential Properties: The domain of f ( x ) a x consists of all real numbers. The range of f ( x ) a x is the collection of all positive real numbers. If a < 1 then f is a decreasing function and if a > 1 then f is an increasing function. Exponential functions satisfy the following properties: ar as = ar+s ar/as = ar-s (ar)s = ars ar br = (ab)r 4

Definition 1.11 Let a be a positive real number. The logarithm with base a, f ( x) exponential function g ( x) The natural logarithm f ( x) ln x log e x .
ax .

log a x , is the inverse of the

ln x is the inverse of the exponential function g ( x)

e x . In other words,

Logarithmic Properties: The domain of f ( x) log a x consists of all positive real numbers. The range of f ( x) log a x is the collection of all real numbers. If a < 1 then f is a decreasing function and if a > 1 then f is an increasing function. Logarithmic functions satisfy the following properties: loga(r s) = loga(r) + loga(s) loga(r/s) = loga(r) - loga(s) loga(rs) = s loga(r) ln x log a x (the change of base formula where a 1 ). ln a Transformations of Functions: Translations, Reflection and Stretching. Example: Consider the graph of y
y x 2, y x 2, y

x in Example 1 (page 39, text), and its transformations in graphing

x, y 2 x and y

Definition 1.12 Given two functions f and g, the composite function f g is defined by ( f g )(x) the domain is the set of all x in the domain of g such that g(x) is in the domain of f.
( f g)

f ( g ( x)) , where

x (Input) Example: If f ( x)

g
2 x 2 and g ( x)

g(x)

f ( g ( x)) (Output)

x 1 , find the composite functions f g and g f .

Mathematical Models [refer to Section 1.2] A mathematical model attempts to describe a real-world phenomenon often by means of a function or equation. Its purpose is to understand the phenomenon and may be used to predict future behaviour. The figure below illustrates the modeling process involved: Real-World Problem Mathematical Model Mathematical Conclusions Real-World Predictions 5

formulate

solve

interpret