November 2019

If the domain and codomain is not stated it is

FUNCTIONS generally assumed to be all real numbers.
Name:
Ex 2: f : x → x2 , x  R
A relation is a set of ordered pairs. There is no
special connection between the pairs of
domain, codomain and range?
numbers in a relation.
INJECTIVE, SURJECTIVE AND BIJECTIVE
A function relates an input to an output. A FUNCTIONS

function, f: A->B, is a relation of each element "Injective, Surjective and Bijective" tell you
x of a set A to one and only one element y of a about how a function behaves.

second set B. A function must work for every You can think of a function as a way of
possible input value and should have only one matching the members of a set "A" to a set
"B":
relationship for each input value.

The first set A is called the domain and the

second set B is called the co-domain. The set
of all elements of the codomain in B of a
function which are actual images of all the
elements of the domain A is called the range of
 Injective means that every member of
the function. "A" has its own unique matching
member in "B". You won't get two "A"s
pointing to one "B", but you could have
a "B" without a matching "A"

 Surjective means that every "B" has at

least one matching "A" (maybe more
than one).

 Bijective means Injective and

Surjective together. So there is a
perfect "one-to-one correspondence"
between the members of the sets.

A function is not completely specified if the

domain is not indicated, since different choices
of the domain give different functions.

Example: f : x → x2 , x  R

f : x → x2 , −1  x  1

f : x → x2 , x  1

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November 2019

Formal Definitions Example: The function f(x) = x2 from the set of

positive real numbers to positive real numbers
is injective and surjective. Thus, it is also
Injective
bijective.
A function f is injective if and only if whenever
A function is said to have an inverse if it is
f(a) = f(b), bijective.

then a = b. (The y values don’t all have to have an x)

Example 1: Example 2:
GRAPHICALLY

f(x) = 2x+3 f(x) = 2x2+3 Graphically, a vertical line test is used to

determine if it is a function. If it cuts the graph
more than once
then it is not a function. Recall a function can
only be one to one or many to on.

A horizontal line test is used to determine if a

function is injective. If is cuts the graph only
once then it is injective.
Example 3: f(x) = x2 from the set of real
numbers  to  is not an injective function
because of this kind of thing: f(2) = 4 and f(-
2) = 4

This is against the definition f(a) = f(b) , a = b

because f(2) = f (-2) but 2 not equal to -2.
In other words, there are two values of A that
point to one B and this function could not be
reversed.

Surjective (Also Called "Onto")

A function f (from set A to B) is surjective if

and only for every element in the codomain is
being mapped ONTO. That is, if the range is
equal to the codomain.

Function is said to be a surjection or onto if

every element in the range is an image of at
least one element of the domain.

All y values MUST have an x value

Bijective

A function f (from set A to B) is bijective if, for

every y in B, there is exactly one x in A such
that f(x) = y. Alternatively, f is bijective is
both injective and surjective.

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November 2019

Exercise
1. Let A = {p, q, r}and B = {5,9} then determine whether the function represented by the following
ordered set is injective, surjective, or bijective:

A B A B

p 5 p 5
q q
r 9 r 9

{( p,5), (q,5), ( r ,5)} {( p,9), (q,9), ( r ,9)}

Injective? Injective?
Surjective? Surjective?
Bijective? Bijective?

A B A B A B

p 5 p 5
p 5
q q
9 9 q
r r 9
r

{( p,5), (q,5), ( r ,9)} {( p,5), (q,9), (r ,5)} {( p,9), (q,5), (r ,5)}

Injective? Injective? Injective?
Surjective? Surjective? Surjective?
Bijective? Bijective? Bijective?
A B A B A B

p 5 p 5 p 5
q q q
r 9 r 9 r 9

{( p,9), (q,9), ( r ,5)} {( p,9), (q,5), (r ,9)} {( p,5), (q,9), (r ,9)}

Injective? Injective? Injective?
Surjective? Surjective? Surjective?

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November 2019

Bijective? Bijective? Bijective?

2. Let A = {a, b}and B = {1,2, 3} then determine whether the mapping is injective, surjective, or
bijective:

A B A B A B

a 1 a 1 a 1

2 2 2
b 3 b 3 b 3

{(a,1), (b,1)} {(a,2), (b,2)} {(a,3), (b,3)}

Injective? Injective? Injective?
Surjective? Surjective? Surjective?
Bijective? Bijective? Bijective?

3. Let 𝐴 and 𝐵 be two nonempty sets where 𝐴 = {1 ,2, 3,4} and 𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐}.
Consider each of the following relations:
𝑇 = {(1, 𝑎), (2, 𝑏), (2, 𝑐), (3, 𝑐), (4, 𝑏)}
𝑈 = {(1, 𝑎), (2, 𝑏), (4, 𝑏)}
𝑉 = {(1, 𝑎), (2, 𝑏), (3, 𝑐), (4, 𝑏)}
Which of these relations (𝑇, 𝑈 and 𝑉) qualify as functions?

4. (For each of the relations {𝑄, 𝑅, 𝑆, 𝑇, 𝑈, 𝑉} below, determine whether the relation is a function.
If the relation is a function, determine whether the function is injective and/or surjective.
(i) 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3}, 𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑}
𝑄 = {(1, 𝑎), (2, 𝑑), (3, 𝑏)}
(ii) 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3}, 𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐}
𝑅 = {(1, 𝑎), (2, 𝑏), (3, 𝑐)}
(iii) 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3}, 𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐}
𝑆 = {(1, 𝑎), (2, 𝑏), (3, 𝑏)}
5. Which of the relations in Q6 is a bijection?
(ii) For the relation that is a bijection, write down the elements of the inverse function

6. In each part state the domain and the range of the given function:
a) f(𝑥) = 𝑥2
b) 𝑔(𝑥) = ln 𝑥
c) ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥
d) 𝑘(𝑥) = 1/x

7. In each part state the domain and the range of the given function:
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 − 6 x + 13
b) 𝑔(𝑥) = ln (𝑥 +2)
c) ℎ(𝑥) = 1 − x

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November 2019

x+2
d) 𝑘(𝑥) =
x+3
Inverse functions

The inverse of a function only exists iff the Question 1:

function is bijective. The function f is defined by
If f is not a 1-1 function, then an inverse f ( x) = x 2 − 2 x for x  1 . Explain why
function can only be defined if the domain is −1
the inverse exists and find f ( x) . State
restricted.
−1
the range of the function f ( x)

If f is a one-to-one function, then it is possible Note:

to find an inverse function f −1 :
(1) Write the function as y = … .
(2) Interchange x and y.
(3) Solve for y = … .
(4) Write the answer using the required
notation f-1(x)=
For all linear functions, the range is usually all
real numbers.
To find the inverse of a quadratic function, we
complete the square first and use this form of
the function.

Usually the range of a quadratic function is

The graphs of y = f ( x) and y = f −1 ( x) are
greater than or less than the maximum or
related – they are reflections of each other in minimum point.
the line y = x.

Question 2
The function f is defined by
f ( x) = 4 x 2 + 12x + 3 for x  R .
Express the function in the form
a( x + h) 2 + k . Find the range of f. Explain why
f does not have an inverse.

The domain of f −1 is the same as the range of Question 3

f. Function f is defined by by
The range of f −1 is the same as the domain of f ( x) = x 2 − 4x + 3 , x  2 . Write f(x)
f. in the form a( x + h) 2 + k . Hence, find
a) The range of f(x)
b) The inverse of f(x)
c) The domain and range of f-1(x)

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November 2019

Remember when finding the domain you must

never divide by zero or take the square of a
negative number.
Composite Functions Example

Given two functions f and g, gf is a function iff f ( x) = x

the range of f is a proper subset of the domain
g ( x) = x + 1
of g.
Domain of f(x) is? x  [0, ) or
Domain of g(x) is ? x  (−, ) or

• Finding fg(x)

Let’s call it h(x)

Therefore h(x) = x + 1
The domain of a composed function is either Domain of h(x) is x  −1
the same as the domain of the first function or
else lies inside it, that is, is a subset of it. Therefore
Consider the domain of g(x)
The range of a composed function is either the G(x): x  R
same as the range of the second function or is a H(x): x  −1
subset of it.
They intersect at x  −1
Some pairs of functions cannot be composed.
so the domain of fg(x) is x  −1
Some pairs of functions can be composed only
for certain values of x.
Based on the domain, the range is y  0
In general, the domain of a composed function
is either the same as the domain of the first
function, or else lies inside it. If x is a valid input • Finding gf(x)
for the composed function gf then it must be a
valid input for the individual function f. Let’s call it k(x)
Therefore k(x) = x + 1
Steps for finding the domain and range of a Domain of k(x) is x  0
composite function
1) Find the composite function fg(x) Therefore
2) Find the domain of the inside function, Consider the domain of f(x)
g(x), and the composite function h(x) l(x): x  0
3) The domain of the composite function f(x): x  0
is the intersection of the domains of
They intersect at x  0
both g(x) and h(x).
so the domain of fg(x) is x  0
4) The range is found after restricting the
domain
Based on the domain, the range is y  1

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November 2019

Example 2
Question 4
5
Find the domain of fg (x) where f ( x) = The function f is defined by
x −1
4 f ( x) = 2 x 2 − 2 x − 2 , x  R .
and g ( x) =
3x − 2 i. Evaluate ff(1)
ii. Determine the values of x which map
onto themselves.
Solution iii. Express f(x) in the form a( x + h) 2 + k
The domain of iv. Hence, sketch y = f (x ) showing
F(x): x  1 clearly the coordinates of the minimum
2 point and point of intersection with the
G(x): x 
3 y axis.
v. Determine the range of f.
5 vi. Give reasons why f has no inverse
Let h(X) = fg ( x) = vii. The function g is defined by
 4 
  −1 2x + 4
 3x − 2  g:x→ ; x  1 . Explain why the
x −1
The denominator cannot be zero so
composition of gf does not exist.
4
−1 = 0 viii. Without first finding g −1 ( x) , evaluate
3x − 2
g −1 (3) .
4 = 3x − 2
Question 5
6 = 3x
Functions f and g are defined by
x=2 4x
f :x→ ; x  k and g : x → x + 4 .
x +1
So the domain of h(x) is x  2 a) State the value of k
b) Find fg and state the value of x for
That is which fg is not defined
H(x): x  2
c) Find f −1 ( x)
2
G(x): x  d) Find the value of a for which
3
Therefore the domain of fg(x) is f −1 (a) = g (−1)
 2 2 
 − ,    ,2   (2,  ) Question 6
 3 3  For the following pairs of functions, find the
2 domain and range of the composed function gf.
Or x  , x  2
3 a) f ( x) = x 2 g ( x) = e x
b) f ( x) = − x g ( x) = ln x

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November 2019

Immaculate Conception High School g : x  4x , x  R

Grade 12
Find fg and gf, stating the range in each
Functions Worksheet
November case.

1) Which one of the following are injective 7) The function f is given by

functions? If the function is injective, f : x  x 2 − 8x, x  R , x  4
provide a proof, if it is not, give a a) Determine the range of f.
counterexample. b) Find the value of x for which f(x) =
a) f : x  3x − 2, x  R 20
b) f : x  x 2 − 4 x + 4 x  R, x  1 c) Find f-1 (x) in terms of x.
c) f : x | 2 − x | , x  R
8) The functions f and g are defined by
f : x  x 2 + 3, x  R and
2) Determine the domain and range of the
g : x  2 x + 1, x  R
following functions.
a) Find, in a similar form, the function
2
a) f : x  1− , fg.
x
b) Find the range of the function fg.
4x + 2 c) Solve the equation
b) f :x ,
x−3
f ( x) = 12 g −1 ( x)
c) f :x x−4 ,
9) The functions f and g are defined by
3) A function f is defined by f(x) = 4x-3. f : x  3x − 1, x  R and
What are the images of 4, -3, ½ and
-1/8 under f? g : x  x2 +1, x  R
4) Functions g and h are defined as a) Find the range of g.
follows: b) Determine the values of x for which
g : x  1+ x , x  R gf ( x) = fg ( x)
c) Determine the values of x for which
h : x  x 2 + 2x , x  R
|f(x)|=8
Find (i) the ranges of g and h,
(ii) the composite functions hg and The function h : x  x 2 + 3x, x  R ,
gh, stating their ranges x  q , is one to one
d) Find the least value of q and sketch
5) Given p : x → 3x + 1, x  R,0  x  2
2
the graph of this function.

and q : x → x 2 − 2, x  R , find the 10) State the minimum value of

composite function qp(x) and find
the domain and its range.
6) The functions f and g are defined by
f : x  log 2 x , ( x  R, x  0)
f : x  3( x − 2) 2 + 1, and the
corresponding value of x. Sketch the
graph for the domain − 3  x  3 and
writ down the range of the function for
the corresponding domain.

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