A function is a special kind of relation that pairs each element of one
set with exactly one element of another set. A function, like a
relation, has a domain, a range, and a rule. The rule is the
explanation of exactly how elements of the first set correspond with the
elements of the second set. A function is defined by its rule; some texts
actually make no distinction between the rule of a function and the function
itself. The domain and range of a function can typically be determined given
the rule of the function.
Symbolically, a function can be illustrated with a simple drawing. Below in the
figure are the sets A and B. The points in each set are the elements of the
sets. The function f is shown on the left, and the relation g is shown on
the right.
Figure %: On the left, the function f associates the elements of the domain
with exactly one element of the range. On the right, the relation g is not a
function because it associates the same element of the domain to more than one
element of the range.
As you can see, certain elements of A are assigned to more than one element of
B in the relation g. The function f assigns each element of A only one
element of B.
Functions are generally denoted by a single letter. The domain of a function is
the set of all inputs for which the function assigns an output. The range of a
function is the set of all outputs of the function. The inputs, or elements of
the domain, are called the independent variable of the function, and the
outputs are the dependent variable. This is because the outputs of the
functions depend on the inputs. If an element is input into a function,
and no output can be assigned, then the function is undefined for that
element. Such an element is not in the domain of the function.
Let's examine a simple function in what is called "function notation": y = f (x) = 2x. The name of the function is f. The independent variable is x,
and the dependent variable is y. The rule of the function is y = 2x.
f (x), or y, is the value of the function at x. f (x) is read "f of
x." If for a given input x there exists an output y that satisfies the
rule, then f is defined at x. If there exists no output y that
satisfies the rule for a given input x, then the function is undefined at
x. The domain is the set of all x for which the function is defined. The
range is the set of all y that could be taken by the function for some input
value of x.
It will become useful to eventually think of a function and its rule as one and
the same thing. A function is defined by its "rule" -- it is what associates
the elements of one set with another. In function notation, a function is
equivalent to its rule. In the example above, f (x) = 2x. From this we know
that the domain of f will consist of any number that can be doubled, which is
the set of real numbers. The range will consist of these numbers doubled, which
is also the set of real numbers.
Many real-life situations can be modeled by a function or by several functions.
Take the opening of a new retail store for example. A lot of money is required
to build a store, decorate it, and stock it with merchandise. All of this money
must be spent before the store opens for business. If the business is
successful, the store's income will exceed its expenses per unit time, and
eventually the store will make back all of the money needed to start it and make
an overall profit. Let the initial expenses of the store equal $40,000, and
for simplicity's sake, let the daily profit of the store equal $200. The net
profit of the store can be easily modeled by a simple function. Let the
function be called p. Let the independent variable x be the number of days
the store is open, and let the dependent variable y be the net profit of the
store. Then y = p(x) = - 40, 000 + 200x. The graph of the function looks like
this:
Figure %: The net profit of a store is modeled by a function.
Because the independent variable x is the number of days that the store has
been open, the domain of the function is the natural numbers (integers ≥ 0). The range of the function is real numbers geq - 40, 000. This is because
with this over-simplified model, the profits are increasing at a constant rate.
Theoretically, the profits increase by the minute, so at a given moment in time,
the net profit could be any real number greater than -40, 000. With a model
like this, it becomes easy to predict when the store will make back its initial
investment and begin to make a net profit: after 200 days.
When a relation is graphed, there is an easy way to verify whetheer it is a
function. It is a convention in math to designate x the independent variable,
and designate y the dependent variable. Thus, for every x in the domain of
the function, there must only be one corresponding y in the graph. The
vertical line test shows us this. If a vertical line can be placed in the
graph such that it intersects with the graph of a relation more than once, that
relation is not a function. The graph of a function does not intersect with any
vertical line more than once.
Below are some graphs of functions. Study the domain and range of the
functions. Also practice verifying whether they are indeed functions by
performing the vertical line test.
Figure %: The function y = | x| for -3≤x≤3.
Figure %: The function y = x2 - 4.
Figure %: The function y = 3x - 3.
