GEN MATH

Functions and Piece-wise Functions

Relation
- Pairing of input values with the output values

FUNCTION one to one Function

- A special type of correspondence; one to many Not a Function
“single-valued correspondence” many to one Function
- A relation is a function if there is many to many Not a Function
exactly one output for each input
- Notation: Domain
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑦 = 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 - Independent variable (𝑥)
𝑓 = 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 - Set of input in a relation or function
𝑥 = 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 Range
- Dependent variable 𝑓(𝑥) or 𝑦
- Set of output
They can be both represented/defined by:
- Mapping/arrow diagrams,

One to one One to many

Function Not a Function
- Set of ordered pairs,

- Table of values,
- Graphs, - Equations
- Vertical Line Test – it is a graph
of a function only if there is no
vertical line that intersects the
graph in more than one point
 Piece-wise Function Examples:
- Consists of two or more functions in a 25; 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 5
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = {
specified domain 0.75(𝑥) + 25; 𝑥 > 5

4 − 3𝑥; 𝑥 ≤ −1
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = { 5; −1 < 𝑥 < 1
𝑥 2 − 3; 𝑥 ≥ 1

Evaluating Functions
- Substitute the given value of the independent variable to the given function, then solve

Examples:
1. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 5, evaluate each of the following:
a. 𝑓(2) b. 𝑓(−𝑥)
𝑓(2) = (2)2 + 3(2) + 5 𝑓(−𝑥) = (−𝑥)2 + 3(−𝑥) + 5
= 4+6+5 = 𝑥 2 + (−3𝑥) + 5
=15 =𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 5
c. 𝑓(𝑥 + 3)
𝑓(𝑥 + 3) = (𝑥 + 3)2 + 3(𝑥 + 3) + 5
= 𝑥 2 + 2(𝑥)(3) + (3)2 + 3(𝑥) + 3(3) + 5
= 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 + 3𝑥 + 9 + 5
=𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 23
2. If 𝑓(𝑥) = −2𝑥 2 + 3 − 1, evaluate each of the following:
a. 𝑓(0) c. 𝑓(ℎ)
𝑓(0) = −2(0)2 + 3(0) − 1 𝑓(ℎ) = −2(ℎ)2 + 3(ℎ) − 1
= 0+0−1 =− 2ℎ2 + 3ℎ − 1
=− 1
b. 𝑓(1)
𝑓(1) = −2(1)2 + 3(1) − 1
= −2 + 3 − 1
=0
𝑥 − 1; 𝑥 > 2
3. If 𝑓(𝑥) = { , evaluate each of the following:
2 − 𝑥2 ; 𝑥 ≤ 2
a. 𝑓(0) c. 𝑓(−1)
𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑓(0) = { 𝑓(3) = {2 − (−1)2 = 2 − 1 =
2 − (0)2 = 2
b. 𝑓(3) 1
3−1=2
𝑓(3) = {
𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
1
4. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 4. Find the value of 𝑓 (2)
1 1 2 1 1 3 3 + 12
𝑓( ) = 3( ) − 2( ) + 4 𝑓( ) = +3 = ( )
2 2 2 2 4 4
1 1 1 15 3
𝑓( ) = 3( ) − 1 + 4 𝑓( ) = 𝑜𝑟 3
2 4 2 4 4
Operations on Functions
- The sum function 𝑓 + 𝑔 is the function defined by (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)
- The difference function 𝑓 − 𝑔 is the function defined by (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)
- The product function 𝑓 ∙ 𝑔 is the function defined by (𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥)
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
- The quotient function is the function defined by ( ) (𝑥) = , 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑔 𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)
- The composite function 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 is the function defined by (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))

Example:
1. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2, find the following:
a. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) 𝑓
d. (𝑔) (𝑥)
= 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥)
= (𝑥 + 1) + (𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2) =
= 𝑥+1+𝑥 −𝑥−2 2 𝑔(𝑥)
=𝑥 2 − 1 𝑥+1
= 2
b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) 𝑥 −𝑥−2
(𝑥 + 1)
= 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) =
2
= (𝑥 + 1) − (𝑥 − 𝑥 − 2) (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1)
= 𝑥+1−𝑥 +𝑥+2 2 1
= ; 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑥 ≠ 2
=−𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3 𝑥−2
c. (𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥) e. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥)
= 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))
= (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2) = (𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2) + 1
= 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2 + 1
=−𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 − 2 =𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 1
2
2. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 4𝑥 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1, find the following:
a. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) b. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)
= 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))
2
= 3(𝑥 − 1) − 4(𝑥 − 1) = (3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥) − 1
2
= 3(𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 1) − 4𝑥 + 4 =3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 1
2
= 3𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 3 − 4𝑥 + 4
=3𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 7
c. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(−2)
= 𝑓(𝑔(−2)) = 3(−3)2 − 4(−3)
= 𝑓(𝑥 − 1) = 3(9) + 12
= 𝑓(−2 − 1) = 27 + 12
= 𝑓(−3) =39

Word Problems Involving Functions

1. A proposed train fare would charge ₱25.00 for the first 5km of travel and ₱0.75 for each
additional kilometer over the proposed fare
a. Find the fare function 𝑓(𝑥) where 𝑥 represents the number of kilometers traveled
- Representation:
- Let 𝑥 be the distance in kilometer
- 𝑓(𝑥) be the amount of fare in peso
- Equation:
25; 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 5
𝑓(𝑥) = {
0.75(𝑥 − 5) + 25; 𝑥 > 5
 b. Find the proposed fare for 45 kilometers
- Solution: - Answer:
𝑓(𝑥) = 0.75(𝑥 − 5) + 25; 𝑥 = 45 ₱55.00 is the
𝑓(45) = 0.75(45 − 5) + 25 proposed train fare
= 30 + 25 for 45km
= 55

2. Sky Cable Network charges ₱500.00 monthly cable connection fee plus ₱125.00 for each
hour of pay-per-view (PPV) event regardless of a full hour or a fraction of an hour. What
is the rule or equation for the given problem?
- Rule or Equation:
𝑓(𝑥) = ₱500.00 + (₱125.00)(𝑥) where 𝑥 is the maximum time in hour/s of pay-per-view
a. Construct a table of values that will show a mode of payment for customers who
may spend 0 to 5 hours of watching PPV events
Number of Hours Monthly Cable Amount of Total
Spent in PPV Event 𝒙 Connection Fee PPV Payment 𝒇(𝒙)
𝟎<𝒙≤𝟏 ₱500.00 (₱125.00)(1) ₱625.00
𝟎<𝒙≤𝟐 ₱500.00 (₱125.00)(2) ₱750.00
𝟎<𝒙≤𝟑 ₱500.00 (₱125.00)(3) ₱825.00
𝟎<𝒙≤𝟒 ₱500.00 (₱125.00)(4) ₱1000.00
𝟎<𝒙≤𝟓 ₱500.00 (₱125.00)(5) ₱1125.00
b. What is the monthly bill of a customer who watched 25 hours of PPV events?
24 < 𝑥 ≤ 25
𝑥 = 25
𝑓(25) = ₱500.00 + (₱125.00)(25)
= ₱500.00 + ₱3125.00
= ₱3625.00 is the total amount of payment of the customer who watched 25
hours of PPV events
c. What is the monthly bill of a customer who watched 12.1 hours of PPV events?
12.1 < 𝑥 ≤ 13
𝑥 = 13
𝑓(13) = ₱500.00 + (₱125.00)(13)
= ₱500.00 + ₱1625.00
= ₱2125.00 is the monthly bill of the customer who watched 12.1 hours of PPV
events

3. The sum of two numbers is 189. If 𝑥 represents one number and 𝑓(𝑥) represents the
product of the two numbers, express 𝑓(𝑥) as a function of 𝑥.
- Representation: - Answer:
- Let 𝑥 be the first number 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 (189 − 𝑥) or
- 189 − 𝑥 be the second 𝑓(𝑥) = 189𝑥 − 𝑥 2
number
- 𝑓(𝑥) be the product of the two
numbers
Rational Functions
Rational Equation Rational Inequality
- Equation indicating that two - Indicates that two expressions, with
expressions, with at least one term at least one term written as a
written as a fraction, are equal fraction, are not equal
- Equation that contains rational - Uses the symbols ≠, <, >, ≤, or ≥
expressions - Inequality that contains rational
Examples expressions
2𝑥 4 Examples
= − 2𝑥
5 5 1.
1. 𝑥−5 1
𝑥 𝑥 4 −7≤−
− = −3 3𝑥 𝑥−5
2−𝑥 𝑥+4 𝑥+4 2.
2. 4𝑥 + 5 5𝑥
𝑥 2 − 16 >
𝑥−4 𝑥−4
=1 3.
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4
𝑥 𝑥−3
+ ≠0
RATIONAL FUNCTION 3𝑥 + 2 2𝑥 − 4
- 𝑟(𝑥) is a function of the form
𝑝(𝑥) Examples
𝑟(𝑥) = 1.
𝑞(𝑥)
- Where 𝑝(𝑥) and 𝑞(𝑥) are polynomial 1
𝑦=
functions, and 𝑞(𝑥) ≠ 0, otherwise 𝑥−5
the function will become undefined 2.
4𝑥 + 5
(∞) 𝑓(𝑥) =
- The domain of 𝑟(𝑥) is the set of real (𝑥 − 4)2
numbers such that 𝑞(𝑥) is not zero 3.
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 − 4

Solving Rational Equations and Inequalities

SOLVING RATIONAL EQUATIONS
- CRAM Method – to simplify, apply:
- C – Clear all fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD of the terms
- R – Remove all grouping symbols, if any
- A – Add or subtract similar terms
- M – Multiply or divide both sides by the numerical coefficient of the variable, leaving
only the variable on the left side of the equation with coefficient equal to 1; then check
the result
Examples
3 𝑥 𝑥=3
1. Solve for the value of 𝑥 in 4 = 4
- Checking:
- Solution:
3 𝑥 𝑥=3
= 3 𝑥
4 4 =
(3)(4) = (𝑥)(4) 4 4
3 3
12 = 4𝑥 𝑜𝑟 4𝑥 = 12 =
4𝑥 12 4 4
=
4 4
 𝑥−1 2
2. What value of 𝑥 makes the expressions equal in = 5?
3
- Solution: - Checking:
𝑥−1 2 11
= −1 2
3 5 5 =
𝐿𝐶𝐷 = 15 3 5
3
𝑥−1 2 11 − 5
15 [ = ] 15 5 2
3 5 =
5(𝑥 − 1) = 2(3) 3 5
6
5𝑥 − 5 = 6 5=2
5𝑥 = 6 + 5 3 5
5𝑥 11 6 1 2
= · =
5 5 5 3 5
11 6 2
𝑥= =
5 15 5
2 2
=
5 5
5𝑥 10
3. Solve for the value of 𝑥 in 𝑥−2 − 7 = 𝑥−2
- Solution: - Checking:
The 𝐿𝐶𝐷 is (𝑥 − 2) 5(2) 10
5𝑥 10 −7 =
(𝑥 − 2) [ (2) − 2 (2) − 2
−7 = ] (𝑥 − 2)
𝑥−2 𝑥−2 10 10
5𝑥 − 7(𝑥 − 2) = 10 −7=
2−2 2−2
5𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 14 = 10 10 10
5𝑥 − 7𝑥 = 10 − 14 −7 =
0 0
−2𝑥 − 4 𝑁𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
=
−2 −2
𝑥=2

SOLVING RATIONAL INEQUALITIES

- Is like the process in solving polynomial inequalities
- Suggested steps:
a. Write the rational inequality as an equation
b. Identify the critical value of the variable, meaning the values that will make the
numerator and denominator zero
c. Create an interval on the number line using the critical value
d. Make the number line to reflect the values and intervals that satisfy the inequality;
mark the critical values with hollow dots, which means that these values are not
solutions of the inequality
e. Write your answer in an interval notation form

Examples
1
1. Solve for the value of 𝑥 in 𝑥+1 > 0
- Solution: Since the numerator is a positive constant, the denominator must be
positive also so that the entire rational expression is positive.
𝑥+1>0
𝑥 > −1 𝑜𝑟
𝑥 ∈ (−1, ∞), interval notation
 𝑥+5
2. Solve: 𝑥−4 > 4
- Solution:
- Write the inequality into an - Solve for the inequality
equation 𝑥+5
(𝑥 + 5) (𝑥 − 4) [ > 4] (𝑥 − 4)
𝑥−4
=4 𝑥 + 5 > 4𝑥 − 16
𝑥−4
- Determine what value will 𝑥 − 4𝑥 > −16 − 5
make the numerator and the −3𝑥 > −21
denominator zero 𝑥 < 7, which means that 7 is
Numerator: 𝑥 + 5 = 0, not included in the solution
𝑥 = −5
Denominator: 𝑥 − 4 = 0,
𝑥=4
- For test points on each interval

- Graphical Solution

- The solution set in notation form: {𝑥/4 < 𝑥 < 7}

- The solution in interval form/notation: (4,7)
- Table of Signs Method
 𝑥+4
3. Solve: 𝑥−2 ≤ 3
- Solution:
- Subtract 3 from each side to - Multiply each side by the
obtain 0 on the right side of common denominator 𝑥 − 2
the inequality to obtain:
𝑥+4 𝑥 + 4 3(𝑥 − 2)
≤3 − ≤0
𝑥−2 𝑥−2 𝑥−2
𝑥+4 𝑥 + 4 (3𝑥 − 6)
−3≤3−3 − ≤0
𝑥−2 𝑥−2 𝑥−2
𝑥+4 𝑥 + 4 − 3𝑥 + 6
−3≤0 ≤0
𝑥−2 𝑥−2
−2𝑥 + 10
≤0
𝑥 −2
10 − 2𝑥
≤0
𝑥−2
- Hence, the solution set is the quotient of 10 − 2𝑥 and 𝑥 − 2 is less than or equal to
0
- An examination of the signs of the numerator and denominator shows the
following:
Numerator: Denominator:
10 − 2𝑥 = 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 5, 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑥 − 2 = 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 2, 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒
10 − 2𝑥 = 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 5, 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑥 − 2 = 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 2, 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑒
10 − 2𝑥 = 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 5, 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑥 − 2 = 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2, 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒
- Therefore the solution set is {−∞, 2} ∪ {5, ∞}. Note that 2 is not in the solution set
since the quotient is not defined if 𝑥 = 2
- Graph of the Solution Set:

- Table of Signs Method: