Chapter 2: More on Functions

2.1 | Increasing, Decreasing and Piecewise Functions; Applications

A function is said to be __________________ on an open interval I, if for all 𝑎 and 𝑏 in that interval, 𝑎 < 𝑏
implies that 𝑓(𝑎) < 𝑓(𝑏).

A function is said to be __________________ on an open interval I, if for all 𝑎 and 𝑏 in that interval, 𝑎 > 𝑏
implies that 𝑓(𝑎) > 𝑓(𝑏).

A function is said to be _______________ on an open interval I, if for all 𝑎 and 𝑏 in that interval 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓(𝑏).

Another way of thinking about this involves “tangent” lines. Tangent lines will be more important as we get
closer to calculus. They are lines that touch a function only at one given point. The slope of the tangent line
represents the _______________________________________________ of the function at that point. A
positive slope means the function is increasing, 0 slope means constant, and negative means decresing.

Example 1 | Determine the intervals on which the function in the figure is (a) increasing, (b) decreasing, and
(c) constant.
Graphs tend to have “peaks” and “valleys.” We call the “peaks” relative ___________________________ of a
function and the “valleys” the relative _________________________________.

In math speak, suppose that 𝑓 is a function for which 𝑓(𝑐)

exists for some 𝑐 in the domain of 𝑓. Then:

• 𝑓(𝑐) is a relative _______________________ if there

exists an open interval I containing 𝑐 such that 𝑓(𝑐) > 𝑓(𝑥),
for all 𝑥 in 𝐼 where 𝑥 ≠ 𝑐.
• 𝑓(𝑐) is a relative _______________________ if there
exists an open interval I containing 𝑐 such that 𝑓 < 𝑓(𝑥), for
all 𝑥 in 𝐼 where 𝑥 ≠ 𝑐.

Example 2 | Use the graph shown to determine any maxima or minima of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 0.1𝑥 ! −
0.6𝑥 " − 0.1𝑥 + 2 and give the intervals on which the function is increasing or decreasing.

Example 3 | Elena and Thomas drive away from a restaurant at right angles to eachother. Elena’s speed is 35
mph and Thomas’s is 40 mph.

a) Express the distance between the cars as a function of time 𝑑(𝑡).

b) Find the domain of the function.

Example 4 | Jenna’s restaurant supply store has 20 ft of dividers with which to set off a rectangular area for
the storage of overstock. If a corner of the store is used for the storage area, the partition need only form two
sides of a rectangle.

a) Express the floor area of the storage space as a function of the length of the partition.

b) Find the domain of the function.

c) Graph your function on your calculator, and determine the dimensions that will maximize the area of
the floor.

Sometimes functions are defined ___________________ using different output formulas for different pieces,
or parts of the domain. They are written with a single brace that then contains each part, defined for a specific
part of the domain.

Example 5 | Find 𝑓(−5), 𝑓(−3), 𝑓(0), 𝑓(3), 𝑓(4), and 𝑓(10) for the following function.
Example 6 | Graph the following function.

Example 7 | Graph the following function.

Example 8 | Graph the following function.

A piecewise function with importance in calculus and computer programming is the
_________________________________________________ denoted 𝑓(𝑥) = ⟦𝑥⟧. It gives the greatest integer
less than or equal to 𝑥. Another name for this is the “floor” function. It rounds down.

Example 9 | Graph 𝑓(𝑥) = ⟦𝑥⟧ and determine its domain and range.

2.2 | Algebra of Functions: Sums, Differences, Products, and Quotients

If 𝑓 and 𝑔 are functions and 𝑥 is in the domain of each function, then (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥),
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(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥), (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥), and ? @ (𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)/𝑔(𝑥) provided 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0.
$

The domain of a function like this is the _____________________________ ( ∩ ) of the domains of the
individual functions (meaning the places where the two domains overlap).

Example 1 | Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 3, find each of the following:

a) (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) b) (𝑓 + 𝑔)(6) c) (𝑓 + 𝑔)(−4)

Example 2 | Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " − 4 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2, find each of the following.

a) The domain of 𝑓 + 𝑔 b) The domain of 𝑓 − 𝑔 c) The domain of 𝑓𝑔

d) The domain of $
# e) (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) f) (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥)

g) (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) #
h) ?$@ (𝑥) i) (𝑔𝑔)(𝑥)
 The average rate of change between two points on a non-linear
function can be found using a ratio called the difference quotient:

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
ℎ

The difference quotient is derived from taking two random points

on a non-linear function and finding the slope of the line that
connects them. This line is called the _____________________
line.

Example 3 | For the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3, find and simplify the difference quotient.

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Example 4 | For the function given by 𝑓(𝑥) = &, find and simplify the difference quotient.
Example 5 | For the function given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 " − 𝑥 − 3, find and simplify the difference quotient.

&'(
Example 6 | For the function 𝑓(𝑥) = &)!, find and simplify the difference quotient.
2.3 | Composition of Functions
In real-world situations, it is not uncommon for the output of a function to depend on some input that is itself
an output of another function. For instance, the amount that a person pays at state income tax usually
depends on the amount of adjusted gross income on the person’s federal tax return, which, in term, depends
on his or her annual earnings. We call “nested” functions such as these composite functions.

The composite function (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)), where 𝑥 is in the domain of 𝑔 and 𝑔(𝑥) is in the domain of 𝑓.

Example 1 | Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 5 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 " − 3𝑥 + 8, find each of the following:

a) (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) b) (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)

c) (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(7) d) (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(7)

e) (𝑔 ∘ 𝑔)(1) f) (𝑓 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)
Example 2 | Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3:

a) Find 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔. b) Find 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓.

c) Find the domain of 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔. d) Find the domain of 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓.

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Example 3 | Given that 𝑓(𝑥) = &'" and 𝑔(𝑥) = &:

a) Find 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔. b) Find 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓.

c) Find the domain of 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔. d) Find the domain of 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓.

In calculus, we often need to recognize how a function can be expressed as the composition of two functions.
We call this “decomposing” the function.

Example 4 | If ℎ(𝑥) = (2𝑥 − 3)* find 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) such that ℎ(𝑥) = (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥).

Example 5 | If ℎ(𝑥) = (4 + 3𝑥)* find 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) such that ℎ(𝑥) = (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥).

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Example 6 | If ℎ(𝑥) = (&)!)! , find 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) such that ℎ(𝑥) = (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥).
2.4 | Symmetry and Transformations

There are three kinds of symmetry that we care about when it comes to functions.

1. Symmetry with respect to 2. Symmetry with respect to 3. Symmetry with respect to

the ___-axis the ____-axis the __________________

Example 1 | Determine visually which type(s) of symmetry are displayed by the graph.

a) b) c)

You can also test for symmetry algebraically.

Symmetric w.r.t. 𝑥-axis: If replacing 𝑦 with −𝑦 produces an equivalent equation
Symmetric w.r.t. 𝑦-axis: If replacing 𝑥 with −𝑥 produces an equivalent equation
Symmetric w.r.t. origin: If replacing 𝑦 with −𝑦 and 𝑥 with −𝑥 produces an equivalent equation
We can also classify functions as __________ or __________.

• If the graph of a function 𝑓 is symmetric with respect to the 𝑦-axis, we say that it is even. Algebraically,
for each 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(−𝑥).
• If the graph of a function 𝑓 is symmetric with respect to the origin, we say that it is odd. Algebraically,
for each 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑓, 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥).

Example 2 | Determine whether each of the following functions is even, odd, or neither.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥 - − 6𝑥 ! − 2𝑧 b) ℎ(𝑥) = 5𝑥 . − 3𝑥 " − 7

In general, we do not graph functions “from scratch.” Instead, we start with a basic parent function and then
apply some transformations to it to change it into the exact function we are looking for.
The first kind of transformation we will explore is a ____________________________. In a translation, the
shape of the graph does not change, only its location with respect to the origin (i.e. it moves left, right, up, or
down without changing its shape). Another word for this type of isometry is a “slide.”

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥

Vertical Translation –
UP

Vertical Translation -
DOWN

Horizontal Translation
- LEFT

Horizontal Translation
- RIGHT
Example 3 | Graph each of the following by first graphing the parent function, and then finding the translation.
(Recommend having multiple colors for graphing these on HW or quizzes)

a) 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 " − 6 b) ℎ(𝑥) = |𝑥 − 4|

c) 𝑔(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 2 d) ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 2 − 3
The second kind of transformation is a ___________________________. Reflections occur across an axis of
symmetry such as the 𝑥 or 𝑦 axis.

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥

Reflection across
𝑥-axis

Reflection across
𝑦-axis

Example 4 | Graph each of the following by first graphing the parent function, and then finding the translation.
(Recommend having multiple colors for graphing these on HW or quizzes)

a) 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 " b) ℎ(𝑥) = √−𝑥

c) 𝑝(𝑥) = −𝑥 " + 6 d) 𝑞(𝑥) = (3 − 𝑥)"

The last kind of transformation involves stretching and shrinking the graphs. Pay close attention to the
differences here because not all of the stretches are as intuitive!

𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥

Vertical Stretch

Vertical Shrink

Horizontal Stretch

Horizontal Shrink

Let’s take a look at these examples….

Example 5 | Use the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to graph each of the
following.

a. 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑓(𝑥)

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b. ℎ(𝑥) = " 𝑓(𝑥) c. 𝑟(𝑥) = 𝑓(2𝑥)

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d. 𝑠(𝑥) = 𝑓 ?" 𝑥@ e. 𝑡(𝑥) = 𝑓 ?− " 𝑥@
Example 6 | Use the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to graph 𝑦 = −2𝑓(𝑥 − 3) + 1.

1. Shift right.
2. Stretch.
3. Reflect.
4. Shift up.

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Example 7 | Use the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) to graph 𝑔(𝑥) = − " 𝑓(x − 1) + 3.

1. Shift right.
2. Stretch.
3. Reflect.
4. Shift up.
2.5 | Variation and Applications
If a situation gives rise to a linear function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘𝑥, where 𝑘 is a positive
constant, we say that we have _______________ variation, or that 𝑦 varies
_______________________ as 𝑥. The number 𝑘 is called the constant of
___________________________________ or the _______________________
constant.

Example 1 | Find the variation constant and an equation of variation in which 𝑦 varies directly as 𝑥, and 𝑦 =
32 when 𝑥 = 2.

Example 2 | The number of centimeters W of water produced from melting snow varies directly as S, the
number of centimeters of snow. Meteorologists have found that under certain conditions 150 cm of snow will
melt to 16.8 cm of water. To how many centimeters of water will 200 cm of snow melt under the same
conditions?

If a situation gives rise to a linear function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑘/𝑥, where 𝑘 is a positive

constant, we say that we have _______________ variation, or that 𝑦 varies
_______________________ as 𝑥. The number 𝑘 is called the constant of
___________________________________ or the _______________________
constant.

Example 3 | Find the variation constant and an equation of variation in which 𝑦 varies inversely as 𝑥, and 𝑦 =
16 when 𝑥 = 0.3.
Example 4 | The time t required to fill a swimming pool varies inversely as the rate of flow r of water into the
pool. A tank truck can fill a pool in 90 min at a rate of 1500 L/min. How long would it take to fill the pool at a
rate of 1800 L/min?

A general strategy for solving variation problems is as follows:

1. Determine whether ________________ variation or ________________ variation applies.
2. Write an equation of the form ________________ (for ________________ variation) or
__________________ (for _________________ variation) by substituting the known values and solving
for 𝑘.
3. Write the equation of variation, and use it to find the unknown value(s) in the problem.

There are a few more kinds of variation which we should consider.

• We say that 𝑦 varies __________________ as the 𝑛th power of 𝑥 if there is some positive constant 𝑘
such that 𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 / .
• We say that 𝑦 varies __________________ as the 𝑛th power of 𝑥 if there is some positive constant 𝑘
such that 𝑦 = 𝑘/𝑥 / .
• We say that 𝑦 varies __________________ as 𝑥 and 𝑧 if there is some positive constant 𝑘 such that
𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥𝑧.

Example 5 | Find an equation of variation in which 𝑦 varies directly as the square of 𝑥, and 𝑦 = 12 when 𝑥 =
2.

Example 6 | Find an equation of variation in which 𝑦 varies jointly as 𝑥 and 𝑧, and 𝑦 = 42 when 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑧 =
3.