Lesson 1: Functions

Learning Outcome(s): At the end of the lesson, the learner is able to

represent real- life situations using functions, including piecewise
functions.
Lesson Outline:
1. Functions and Relations
2. Vertical Line Test
3. Representing real-life situations using functions, including piecewise functions.

Definition: A relation is a rule that relates values from a set of values (called the
domain) to a second set of values (called the range).
A relation is a set of ordered pairs (x,y).
Definition: A function is a relation where each element in the domain is
related to only one value in the range by some rule.

A function is a set of ordered pairs (x,y) such that no two ordered pairs have the same x-value but
different y-values. Using functional notation, we can write f(x) = y, read as “f of x is equal to y.” In
particular, if (1, 2) is an ordered pair associated with the function f, then we say that f(2) = 1.

Example 1. Which of the following relations are functions?

Solution.
The relations f and h are functions because no two ordered pairs
have the same x-value but different y-values. Meanwhile, g is not a
function because (1,3) and (1,4) are ordered pairs with the same x-value
but different y-values.

Relations and functions can be represented by mapping

diagrams where the elements of the domain are mapped to the elements
of the range using arrows. In this case, the relation or function is
represented by the set of all the connections represented by the arrows.

Example 2. Which of the following mapping diagrams represent functions?

 X Y

Solution.

The relations f and g are functions because each value y in Y is unique for a specific value of x. The
relation h is not a function because there is at least one element in X for which there is more than one
corresponding y-value. For example, x=7 corresponds to y = 11 or 13. Similarly, x=2 corresponds to both
y=17 or 19.

A relation between two sets of numbers can be illustrated by a graph in

the Cartesian plane, and that a function passes the vertical line test.

The Vertical Line Test

A graph represents a function if and only if each vertical line intersects the graph at
most once.

Example 3. Which of the following can be graphs of functions?

a.)
e.)