The Elementary Functions

and some of their Properties

type of function domain range symmetry

power(-law) functions

xn , n an integer [except x = 0 for n negative]

n odd odd
0
n even [note: 0 is undefined] y0 even

xp/q , p and q integers [omit x = 0 if (p/q) < 0 ]

q odd, p odd odd
q odd, p even y0 even
q even, p odd x0 y0 none
q even, q even y0 even

xr , r irrational restricted to x 0 restricted to y 0 none

P(x)
rational functions , except where Q(x) = 0 various
Q(x)

for P(x) and Q(x) polynomials even, if P(x) and Q(x) have
the same symmetry,
odd, if they have opposite
symmetries
type of function domain range symmetry

(circular) trigonometric functions

sin x 1 y +1 (period 2) odd

cos x 1 y +1 (period 2) even

tan x = (sin x)/(cos x) except odd multiples of (period ) odd

2
cot x = (cos x)/(sin x) except multiples of (period ) odd

sec x = 1/(cos x) except odd multiples

of y 1 , y +1 (period 2) even
2
csc x = 1/(sin x) except multiples of y 1 , y +1 (period 2) odd

exponential functions ax , a > 0 y>0 none

logarithmic functions logax , a > 0 x>0 none

inverse trigonometric functions [restricted ranges]

y+
1
arcsin x or sin x 1 x +1 odd
2 2
1
arccos x or cos x 1 x +1 0y none
<y<+
1
arctan x or tan x odd
2 2
[others are seldom used]

symmetry rules for combinations of functions

even even = even odd odd = odd even odd or odd even = none

even even = even odd odd = even even odd or odd even = odd

even / even = even odd / odd = even even / odd or odd / even = odd

polynomials (sums of power functions with positive integer exponents)

domain: for any polynomial

range: for polynomials of odd degree; polynomials of even degree have maximum or minimum values

symmetry: even for polynomials having only even powers of x ; odd for polynomials having only odd powers of x ;
no symmetry otherwise

G. Ruffa

22 September 2009