Domain and Range

Functions
A function is an input-output machine. It takes one number as an input, and outputs one number.

Function Notation / Mapping Notation

𝑓: 𝑋 → 𝑌, where 𝑓(𝑥) = an expression in terms of 𝑥
The function, 𝑓, is such that the set domain, 𝑋, is mapped onto the set co-domain, 𝑌, where 𝑓 of 𝑥 is
equal to a function in terms of 𝑥.

Domain
The set of all 𝑥-values that are used by a relation.

Co-domain
The set of values from which all the 𝑦-values will come.

Range
The set of all 𝑦-values that are used by a relation.

Domain
For a relation that is a list of coordinates, the domain is all the 𝑥-values in the list without repetition.

For a relation that is an equation or function, the domain may all real values, an implied domain, or a
restricted (stated) domain.

To determine the domain of a relation check how far left and right the graph goes as well as whether
there are any points of discontinuity or asymptotes.

Example Example Example

{(1, 4), (2, 2), (1, 3), (4, 2)} {(𝑥, 𝑦): (𝑥 − 2) + (𝑦 + 1) = 9} 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1.5𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 12

Domain: {1, 2, 4} Domain: −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5, 𝑥 ∈ [−1, 5] Domain: −2 < 𝑥 < 4, 𝑥 ∈ (−2, 4)

Co-domain
The set of values from which all the 𝑦-values will come. If the co-domain is the set of
• real numbers, ℝ, then the 𝑦-values can be any real number,
• integers, ℤ, then the 𝑦-values can be any integer (whole number),
• natural numbers, ℕ, then the 𝑦-values can be any natural number,
but the 𝑦-values will be specifically defined by the rule.

For the majority of functions, the co-domain will be the real numbers.

Maximal Domain / Implied Domain / Natural Domain

Some functions have particular inputs that have no defined output or output values that are not in the
co-domain. These values create an implied domain for the co-domain as it is assumed that these
particular inputs cannot be used. It is the maximal possible domain that has outputs in the co-domain.
This is generally the maximal possible domain that has real outputs.

Function Implied Domain Reason

1 𝑥 < 0 or 𝑥 > 0 The reciprocal of zero is not defined.
⎯⎯
𝑥 𝑥 ∈ ℝ ∖ {0}
  ⎯⎯
√𝑥 𝑥≥0 The square root of a negative number is not real.

log (𝑥) 𝑥>0 The logarithm of 0 is not defined and the logarithm
of negative numbers are not real for positive bases.
𝜋 𝜋
𝑥 ∈ ℝ ∖ ⎯⎯+ 𝑘𝜋 , The tangent of ⎯⎯has no defined value, neither
tan(𝑥) 2 2
𝑘∈ℤ does any integer multiple of 𝜋 more or less than it.

Example VCAA 2001 Exam 1 Question 4b

−1
Let 𝑓: 𝐷 → 𝑅, 𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 1 where 𝐷 is the largest subset of 𝑅 for which 𝑓 is
𝑥+1
defined.
The maximal domain, 𝐷, will be all real values except 𝑥 + 1 ≠ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 ≠ −1.
when the denominator of 𝑓(𝑥) is equal to zero. Therefore, 𝐷 = ℝ ∖ {−1}.

Example Modified VCAA 2009 Exam 2 Question 3

  ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
The maximal domain 𝐷 of the function 𝑓: 𝐷 → 𝑅 with rule 𝑓(𝑥) = √2𝑥 + 1 is
The maximal domain, 𝐷, over which 𝑓 is 1
2𝑥 + 1 ≥ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 ≥ − ⎯⎯
defined is when radicand of the square root 2
is positive or zero. 1
Therefore, so 𝐷 = − ⎯⎯, ∞ .
2

Example VCAA 2001 Exam 2 Question 3b

Let 𝑓 be the function 𝑓: 𝐷 → 𝑅, 𝑓(𝑥) = log (3 − 4𝑥), where 𝐷 is the largest possible domain over
which 𝑓 is defined. 3
3 − 4𝑥 > 0 ⇒ 3 > 4𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥 < ⎯⎯.
The largest possible domain, 𝐷, over which 𝑓 4
is defined when the power of the logarithm, 3
Therefore, 𝐷 = −∞, ⎯⎯ .
3 − 4𝑥, is only positive. 4

Range
Range
For a relation that is a list of coordinates, the range is all the 𝑦-values in the list without repetition.

For a relation that is an equation or function, the range is all the 𝑦-values that result from applying the
values in the domain to the rule and is a subset of the co-domain. That is, the possible outputs of the
function or relation.

To determine the range of a relation check how far down and up the graph goes as well as whether
there are any points of discontinuity or asymptotes.

Example Example Example

{(1, 4), (2, 2), (1, 3), (4, 2)} {(𝑥, 𝑦): (𝑥 − 2) + (𝑦 + 1) = 9} 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1.5𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 12

Range: {2, 3, 4} Range: −4 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2, 𝑦 ∈ [−4, 2] Range: 2 ≤ 𝑦 < 28, 𝑦 ∈ [2, 28)

Example VCAA 2012 Exam 2 Question 3

The range of the function 𝑓: [−2, 3) → 𝑅, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 8 is
Since 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is a parabola with a minimum with a domain restricted on both ends, we need to check
• the minimum value if the 𝑥-value of the minimum lies in the domain, and
• the values of the two endpoint 𝑦-values.
𝑏 −2
Local minimum occurs at the line of symmetry: 𝑥 = − ⎯⎯⎯= − ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯= 1.
2𝑎 2×1
Thus the local minimum is in the domain.
The minimum value is 𝑓(1) = (1) − 2(1) − 8 = 1 − 2 − 8 = −9.
This point is included as the graph will pass through the turning point.

𝑓(−2) = (−2) − 2(−2) − 8 = 4 + 4 − 8 = 0.

𝑓(3) = (3) − 2(3) − 8 = 9 − 6 − 8 = −5.

𝑓(−2) > 𝑓(3) therefore the maximum 𝑦-value is 0.

Since 𝑥 = −2 is included in the domain, 𝑦 = 0 is included in the range.
Therefore, the range of 𝑓 is [−9, 0].

Example Modified VCAA 2001 Exam 1 Question 4b

−1
The range of the function 𝑓: ℝ ∖ {−1} → 𝑅, 𝑓(𝑥) = ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+ 1 is
𝑥+1
Since 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is a hyperbola, it will have a horizontal asymptote.
The horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 1. Therefore, the range of 𝑓 is ℝ ∖ {1}