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Function can be easily defined with the help of the concept of mapping. Let X and Y
be any two non-empty sets. "A function from X to Y is a rule or correspondence that
assigns to each element of set X, one and only one element of set Y". Let the
correspondence be 'f' then mathematically we write f:X → Y
where
y = f(x), x ε X and y ε Y. We say that 'y' is the image of 'x' under 'f' (or x is the pre
image of y).
(i) A mapping f: X → Y is said to be a function if each element in the set X has its
image in set Y. It is possible that a few elements in the set Y are present which are
not the images of any element in set X.
(ii) Every element in set X should have one and only one image. That means it is
impossible to have more than one image for a specific element in set X. Functions
can't be multi-valued (A mapping that is multi-valued is called a relation from X to Y)
The set of values for which a function is defined is called the domain of the function.
The range of the function is the set of all images of domain of f. In above example,
the set A is the domain of the function f. B is not range but the co-domain of the
function. The range is the subset of the co-domain. The domain and the range of
a function may be an interval, open, closed, semi-closed or semi-open i.e. the
domain may be an interval of any of the following types.
e.g. Let X = {a, b, c}, Y = {x, y, z}. Suppose f(a) = y, f(a) = x, f(b) = y, f(c) = z.
Then f is not a function of X into Y since a ε X has more than one f-images in Y.
On the other hand, if we set f(a) = x, f(b) = x and f(c) = x, then f:X → is a function
since each element in X has exactly one f-image in Y.
(iii) Let X = R, Y = R and y2 = x. Her f(x) = +√x i.e. f is not a function of X into Y
since each x > 0 has two f-images in Y, and further, each x < 0 has no f-image in Y.
We are primarily interested in functions whose domain and ranges are subsets of real
numbers. Such functions are often called Real Valued functions.
In this formula we must have 2x + 6 > 0 and therefore x > -3. Therefore, the
domain of f is (-3, ∞), the range of f = (0, ∞). Thus we have the function f : (-3, ∞)
→ (0, ∞) defined by f(x) = 1/√(2x+6).
Let the function f be defined by f(x) = x/((x-1)(x-2)). The formula makes sense for
all values of x except x = 1 and x = 2. Therefore, the domain of f is R - {1, 2}
Functions: one-one/many-one/into/onto
If for each x ε A there exist only one image y ε B and each y ε B has a unique
pre-image x ε A (i.e. no two elements of A have the same image in B), then f is said
to be one-one function. Otherwise f is many-to-one function.
e.g. x = + 2, y = x2 = 4
Graphically, if a line parallel to x axis cuts the graph of f(x) at more than one point
then f(x) is many-to-one function and if a line parallel to y-axis cuts the graph at
more than one place, then it is not a function.
f[X} Y and f[X] ≠ Y. => f [X] Y that is range is not a proper subset of co-
domain.
Illustration
Check whether y = f(x) = x3; f : R → R is one-one/many-one/into/onto
function.
=>X13 =X23
=> x1 = x2
For onto-into:
Illustration:
What kind of function does the Venn diagram in figure given below represent?
Domain = Df = {a, b, c}
Co-domain = {1, 2, 3}
Range = Rf = {1, 2}
Ans.
Examples
Ans.1
f:A→B f:A→B
2. (i) 6
(ii) 33 - 6 = 21
Illustration:
Domain of y = f(x) is the set of values of x for which y is real and finite.
Solution:
(a) For all real and finite x, y is also real and finite
when x = 1, y = ∞ (infinite)
Therefore Df = R -{0, 1}
also xy - y = x + 1
=> x (y - 1) = y + 1
x = (y+1)/(y-1)
Therefore Rf = R - {-1, 1}
Illustration:
Solution:
or (x - 1)(x - 3) < 0
=> Df = [1, 3]
Because at x = 3, y is infinite.
(c) y = √sin x
Examples
Ans.
1. (a) Df = [1, 3)
(c) Df = {-1, 1}
However if
Strictly increasing and decreasing functions are also called Monotonic Function.
Illustration:
Is y = 2x + 3 increasing/decreasing function.
Solution:
Since, ∀ x ε R, y ε R
Therefore Df = R
Examples
Let f : X → Y be a function defined by y = f(x) such that f is both one - one and
onto. Then there exists a unique function g : Y → X such that for each y ε Y,
Further, if g is the inverse of f, then f is the inverse of g and the two functions f and
g are said to be the inverses of each other. For the inverse of a function to exists,
the function must be on-one and onto.
Apply the formula of f on f-1 (x), we will get an equation in f-1 (x) and x.
Note : A function and its inverse are always symmetric with respect to the line y
= x.
Illustration: Let f : R → R defined by f(x) = (ex-e-x)/2 . Find f-1 (x).
We give below some standard functions along with their inverse functions:
Invertible function
Let us define a function y = f(x): X → Y. If we define a function g(y) such that x =
g(y) then g is said to be the inverse function of 'f'.
Hence, the inverse of a function can be defined within the same sets for x and Y
only when it is one-one and onto or Bijective.
Solution:
This is many-one because for x = + a, y = a2, this is into because y does not take
the negative real values.
Solution:
Solution:
Yes, it is invertible because this is bijection function. Its graph is shown in figure
given below.
=> x = +√y
=> x = + √y
Figure (A)
Illustration: How are the graphs of function and the inverse function related? These
graphs are mirror images of each other about the line y = x.
Solution:
Also, if the graph of y = f(x) and y = f-1 (x), they intersect at the point where y meet
the line y = x.
Figure (B)
Graphs of the function and its inverse are shown in figures given above as Figure (A)
and (B)
Examples
y = -√x (Figure B)
f(-x) = f(x) ∀ x ε X
y = F1(x) + F2(x)
Whereas,
= -((f(x) - f(x))/2)
= -F2(x).
Exercise
(1) y = x3
(2) y = x4
(3) y + x + cos x
y = x2 + 1
y = sin x + cos x
Periodic function
These are the function, whose value repeats after a fixed constant interval called
period, and which makes a class of a widely used function.
The least positive real value of T for, which above relation is true, is called the
fundamental period or just the period of the function.
(i) If f(x) is periodic with period p, then a f(x) + b, where a, b ε R (a≠0) is also a
periodic function with period p.
(ii) If f(x) is periodic with period, then f(ax + b), where a ε R -{0} and b ε R, is also
periodic with period p/|a|.
(iii) let us suppose that f(x) is periodic with period p and g(x) is periodic with period
q. Let r be the L.C.M. of p and q, if it exists.
(a) If f(x) and g(x) cannot be interchanged by adding a least positive number k,
then r is the period of f(x) + g(x).
(b) If f(x) and g(x) can be interchanged by adding a least positive number k and if
k < r, then k is the period of f(x) + g(x). Otherwise r is the period.
Period of sinx is 2p and that of {x} is 1. But the L.C.M. of 2p and 1 does not exist.
Hence sinx + {x} is not periodic.
(ii) Here f(x) = tanx/3 + sin2x. Here tan(x/3). Here tan(x/3) is periodic with period
3p and sin2x is periodic with period p.
Solution:
Let n=0
T+x=x
=> T = 0
Let n = 1,
T+x=∏-x
T + x = 2∏ + x
=> T = 2∏
Example
Find the period of y = cos √x and y = x sin x if possible
Let a function be defined as f(x): A → B and we can find two real numbers m and
M such that m < f(x) < M ∀ x ε A then f(x) is called the bounded function. m and M
are called the lower-bound and the upper-bound of f(x) respectively. The range of
f(x) is [m, M] (see figure given below), If however, m and M or either of them is not
defined (i.e. infinite) then f(x) is said to be unbounded function.
Examples
Check whether the following functions are identical with their inverse.
(a) xy = 1
(b) x2 + y2 = 1
The graph of an absolute value function is shown in the figure given above. Its
properties are:
(a) y = |x - 1| + |x - 4|
(b) y = |sin x|
y = |x - 1| + |x - 4|
y = -(x - 1) - (x - 4) = -2x + 5
Now, let 1 < x < 4
y = (x - 1) - (x - 4) = 3
y = (x - 1) + (x - 4) = 2x - 5
(b) y = |sin x|
y>0∀xεR
∀ x > 0, y = sin x
= 0; x=0
x → P(x)/Q(x) , Q(x) ≠ 0.
Linear Function
When the degree of P(x) and Q(x) in a rational function, are one then it is called a
linear function.
f(x) = (ax+b)/(cx+d)
Exponential Function
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions:
The function f(x) = ax, a > 0 where the base 'a' is constant and index x is a
variable, is called an exponential function.
The graph is different for 0 < a < 1 and a > 1, so we will discuss these cases
separately.
Case I. a>1
Note:
X -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
f(x) 8 4 2 1 ½ ¼ 1/8
We observe that
For a < 0 the exponential function in not defined precisely and for a = 1 it turns out
to be constant function.
We have observed that y = ax is a monotonic function (either strictly) decreasing or
strictly increasing). Hence it is invertible,
So y = ax <=> x = loga y
(iii) logb 1 = 0
(iv) logb b = 1
(x) logb bx = x
(xi) (b)logbx = x
Illustration: Prove logb a = 1/loga b
Solution:
=> a = bc and b = ad
=> c = 1/d
Solution:
=> ((b)d)m = bc
=> md = c
f(x) = [x] = greatest integer less than or equal to x is called the greatest
integer function. The graph of a greatest integer function is shown in figure given
below. The graph shows that it is increasing (not strictly) many-to-one function.
Solution:
3<x+1<4
x = [x] + (x)
i.e.
[3.7] = 3
(3,7) = 0.7
[-3,7] = -4
(-3.7) = 0.3.
Note : 0 < (x) < 1
Examples
1. [x + 1] = [x] + 1 ∀ x ε R True/False
Ans.1 True
Ans.2 True
Ans.3 1<x<2
Graphical representation of a Function
The function f : R - {0} → R is represented in the graph such that the x co-ordinate
represents the independent variable and the y co-ordinate represents the dependent
variable. The graph of the function shows various properties of the function directly
and more clearly. The limiting case of the graph of the function is represented by an
asymptote:
Asymptote is a straight line to which graph of the function approaches at infinity but
does not exactly touch it as shown in figure shown above.
defined by f{x} = c
defined by f(x) = x
the greatest
integer< x
Another useful combination of two functions f and g is the composition of these two
functions. Let f : X → Y and g : Y → Z be two functions.
The function h, defined above, is called the composition of f and g and is written gof.
Thus (gof)(x) = g(f(x)). Domain of gof = {x : x in domain f, f(x) in domain g}.
(i) x2 < 1, -1 < x < 2 => -1 < x < 1, -1 < x < 2 => -1 < x < 1
(ii) x2 + 2 < 1, 2 < x < 3 => x < -1, 2 < x < 3 => x = φ
(iv) 1 < x+2 < 2, 2 < x < 3 => -1 < x < 0, 2 < x < 3, x = φ
(i) -1 < x+1 < 2, x < 1 => -2 < x < 1, x < 1 => -2 < x < 1
(ii) -1 < 2x+1 < 2, 1 < x < 2 => -1 , x < ½, 1 < x < 2 => x= φ
(iv) 2 < 2x+1 < 3, 1 < x < 2 => 1 < 2x < 2, 1 < x < 2
Problem of finding out fog and gof can also be handled using graphical
methods
f(g(x))
Here g(x) becomes the variable that means we would draw the graph of g(x). It is
clear that g(x) < 1 ∀ x ε [-1, 1] and 1 < g(x) < 2 ∀ x ε (1, √2]
In this case f(x) becomes the variable and we will draw the graph of f(x). From the
graph we observe that -1 < f(x) < 2 ∀ x ε [-2, 1) and f(x) = x + 1.
It is obvious that domain of f(x) and f(x) + b are the same. Let us take any point x0in
the domain of f(x). y|x=x0 = f(x0).
For b > 0 => f(x0) + b > f(x0) it means that the corresponding point on
f(x) + b would be lying at a distance 'b' units above point on f(x).
For b > 0 => f(x0) + b < f(x0) it means that the corresponding point on
f(x) + b would be lying at a distance 'b' units below point on f(x).
Accordingly the graph of f(x) + b can be obtained by translating the graph of f(x)
either in the positive y-axis direction (if b > 0) or in the negative y-axis direction (if b
< 0), through a distance |b| units.
|f(x)| = f(x) if f(x) > 0 and |f(x)| = -f(x) if f(x) < 0. It means that the graph of f(x)
and |f(x)| would coincide if f(x) > 0 and the portions where f(x) < 0 would get
inverted in the upwards direction.
The above figure would make the procedure clear.
Thus f(|x|) would be a even function. Graphs of f(|x|) and f(x) would be identical in
the first and the fourth quadrants (as x > 0) and as such the graph of f(|x|) would be
symmetrical about the y-axis (as (|x|) is even).
Drawing the graph of |y| = f(x) from the known graph of y = f(x)
Clearly |y| > 0. If f(x) < 0, graph of |y| = f(x) would not exist. And if
f(x) > 0, |y| = f(x) would give y = + f(x). Hence graph of |y| = f(x) would exist only
in the regions where f(x) is non-negative and will be reflected about the x-axis only in
those regions.
Drawing the graph of y = f(x + a), a ε R from the known graph of y = f(x)
As such, for a > 0, graph of f(x + a) can be obtained simply by translating the graph
of f(x) in the negative x-direction through a distance 'a' units. If a < 0, graph of f(x
+ a) can be obtained by translating the graph of f(x) in the positive x-direction
through a distance a units.
Clearly if 0 < a < 1 then x > x0 and f(x) will stretch by 1/a units against the y-axis,
and if a > 1, x < x0, then f(x) will compress by a units against the y-axis.
For drawing the graph of y = f-1(x) we have to first of all find the interval in which
the function is bijective (invertible). Then take the reflection of y = f(x) (within the
invertible region) about the line y = x. The reflected part would give us the graph of
y = f-1(x).
e.g. let us draw the graph of y = sin-1 x. We know that y = f(x) = sin x is invertible if
f : [-∏/2, ∏/2] → [-1, 1], => the inverse mapping would be f-1 : [-1, 1]→[-∏/2,
∏/2].
Illustration: Draw the graph of f(x) = cosx cos(x + 2) - cos2(x + 1).
-(1/2)[cos(2x + 2) + 1]
Solved Examples
Example 1:
Given are two sets A {1, 2, -2, 3} and B = {1, 2, 3, 5}. Is the function f(x) = 2x - 1
defined from A to B?
Solution :
Out of all the ordered pairs, the ordered pairs which are related by the function f(x) =
2x - 1 are {(1, 1), (2, 3), (3, 5) But for (-2) in A, we do not have any value in B. So,
this function does not exist from
A->B.
Example 2:
A function f is defined as f: N -> N (where N is natural number set) and f(x) = x+2.
Is this function ONTO?
Solution :
For : A->B
When x = 1 f(x) = 3
When x = 2 f(x) = 4
So f(x) never assume values 1 and 2. So, B have two elements which do not have
any pre-image in A. So, it is not an ONTO function.
Example 3 :
Find the range and domain of the function f(x) = (2x+1)/(x-1) and also find its
inverse.
Solution :
Let,(2x+3)/(x-1) = y
=> 2x + 3 = yx - y
=> yx - 2x = y + 3
=> (y - 2)x = y + 3
=> x =(y+3)/(t-2)
Inverse is y =(x+3/x-2) .
Example 4:
Solution :
D>0
Example 5 :
(c) x - |x|.
Solution :
= cos 3x
= g(x)
Period of |cos x| = ∏
=> T + x - [T + x] = x - [x]
= integer
1 = [1 + x] - [x]
Period of f(x) is 1.
Example 6:
Show that the inverse of a linear fraction function is always a linear fraction function
(except where it is not defined).
Solution:
Let, f(x) = (a+bx)/(c+dx) be the said linear fraction function.
(a+bx)/(c+dx) = y
=> a + bx - cy - dxy = 0
=> a - cy + x (b - dy) = 0
=> x = (cy-a)/(b-dy).
Example 7:
If graph of function f(x) is as shown in the figure given below, then plot the graph of
|f(x)|.
Solution:
(a) |f(x)| will reflect the graph of f(x) below x axis to the (-) ve y axis side. So the
graph will be as shown in the figure given below.
(b) f(x) + 1 will just shift the graph by one unit position up. So the required graph
is as shown in the figure given below.
(c) f(x + 2) will shift the graph of f(x) by two units to left, the graph will be as
shown in the figure given below.
(d) f-1(x) is obtained by reflection of graph f(x) on the line y = x as shown in the
figure given below.
Example 8:
Solution:
Example 9:
Solution:
= -((ex-1)/(ex+1)) = -f(x)
=> -log((1-x)/(1+x))
= -[√(1+x+x2) - √(1-x+x2)]
f(-x) = -f(x)
Example 10:
= 3 - x; 2 < x < 3
Determine
(b) f(f(f(x)))
(c) f([x])
(d) [f(x)]
Solution:
(b) Let 0 < x < 1
f(f(f(x)))
But we observe that there is no single definition f(f(x)) for this interval.
f(f(f(x)))
= 3 - (2 + x)
=1-x
=1+2-x
=3-x
= f(f(f(x)))
= 1 + (4 - x)
=5-x
Let x = 0
(c) f([x])
f[x] = f(0) = 1
f[x] = f(1) = 2
f[x] = f(2) = 3
Let x = 3
f([x]) = f(3) = 0
(d) [f(x)]
Let 0<x<1
Let 1<x<2
Let x=2
f(x) = 3
[f(x)] = 3
Let 2<x<3
Example 11:
If x2 + y2 = 1
Consider,
x + y = cos θ + sin θ
= √2((1/√2)sinθ + (1/√2)cosθ )
= √2sin((∏/4) + θ)
Recall : sin((∏/4)+θ) can take maximum value 1 and minimum value -1.
=>|√2 sin((∏/4)+θ)| ≤ √2
Example 12:
Check the invertibility of the function f(x) = (ex - e-x); and then find its inverse.
Solution:
We have
f(x) = ex - e-x; x ε R
limx->α f(x) = α
limx->-α f(x) = -α
Therefore f : R -> R
=> t2 - 1 = ty
=> t2 - ty - 1 = 0
=> t = (y+√(y2+4))/2 [t cannot be negative]
Now
t = ex
=> ex = (y+√(y2+4))/2
Example 13:
Solution:
=> - f(x)
= (√x-(1/√x))2 + 2
Example 14:
Let A = R - {3},
B = R - {1}, let f: A -> B be defined by f(x) = (x-2)/(x-3). Is f bijective? Give
reasons.
Solution:
=> x1 = x2
Let y be any arbitrary element of B and suppose there exists an x such that f(x) = y
since y ≠ 1, x is real
and so f is surjective
Tricky Examples
Example 15:
Show that if an odd function is invertible, then its inverse is also an odd
function.
Solution:
Let y = f(x) be an odd function
Then
f(-x) = -f(x) = -y
x = g(y)
Consider,
g(-y) = g(-f(x))
= g(f(-x)) = -x = -g(y)
Example 16:
Solution:
(i) Domain = R
(ii) f(x) = -f(x), so function is odd the graph is not symmetric about any axis
but symmetric about origin.
=> x2 + 1 > 2x
(i) Domain of y is R
(iv) y = 0 for x = 0, n∏
Example 17:
Solution:
Method 1:
Case I :
Let x = n ε I
n2 = n2 + 2n
=> n = 0
Case II:
Let x ε I
(n - 1)2 = n2 + 2x
=> x = n + 1/2, n ε I
Therefore x = 0 or x = n + 1/2; n ε I
Method 2:
Case I :
x I
x = (x) - (1 - {x})
=> 1 - 2 {x} = 0
x = n + 1/2, n ε I
Also, x = 0, by observation.
Example 18:
Find the set x if the function f:[2, α] -> x where f(x) = 5 - 4x + x2 is bijective.
Solution:
y = x2 - 4x + 5
= (x - 2)2 + 1
When x = 2, y = 1