CORE118 – General Mathematics

READING MATERIAL
Topic 1
1st Semester, SY 2023-2024

1 | INTRODUCTION TO FUNCTIONS
LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
The learners are able to:
1. represent real – life situations using functions, including piecewise
functions;
2. evaluate a function;
3. perform operations on function and compositions of functions; and
4. solve problems involving functions.

FIGURE1
Source: https://bit.ly/3xrREoA
A relation is a rule that relates values from a set of inputs (called the domain) to a set of outputs (called range). This is
normally written as a set of ordered pairs with the first coordinate as the input and the second coordinate as the output. The
figure below shows the four types of a relation.
A function, say 𝒇, from 𝐴 to 𝐵 is a relation from A to B where for each 𝑎 ∈ 𝐴, there corresponds exactly one 𝑏 ∈ 𝐵 such that
(𝑎, 𝑏) satisfies 𝑓. Hence, all functions are relations, but not all relations are functions. Of the four relations shown in Figure
1, only one-to-one and many-to-one relations are considered as functions. A function is said to be one-to-one if each
element in the domain is mapped to exactly one element in the range. On the other hand, a function is said to be many-to-
one if more than one element in the domain is mapped to the same element in the range.

The Figure 2 shows how functions, as a relation, works. The elements of the domain can be imagined as input to a machine
that applies a rule so that each input corresponds to only one output.

FIGURE 2
Source: https://bit.ly/3yzqyxg

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CORE118 – General Mathematics
READING MATERIAL
Topic 1
1st Semester, SY 2023-2024

A function can be represented in different ways.

A. Functions as ordered pairs, table of values, or mapping diagram

If we are given a set of ordered pairs, table of values, or a mapping diagram, we can easily determine whether the
relation is a function or not by simply looking if each input value is used only once in the given set. The following
characteristics will help us identify if a given set of ordered pairs, table of values, or mapping diagram define a
function:
✔ Each element in domain must be matched with exactly one element in range.
✔ Some elements in the range may not be matched with any element in the domain.
✔ Two or more elements in the domain may be matched with the same element in the range.

Example 1: Which of the following represents a function?

a. 𝑓 = {(0, 1), (1, −2), (2, 0), 3, 2)} b. 𝑔 = {(2, 2), (1, −2), (3, 0), (0, 2), (1, 1)}

Answer: It is a one-to-one relation and it is function. Answer: One-to-Many relation and it is not a
function because there is at least one element in 𝑥
for which there is more than one corresponding 𝑦-
value.
c. d.
𝑋 −5 −1 1 0 6 𝑋 −1 0 −2 1 2
𝑌 66 18 0 1 55 1 1
𝑌 1 2 4
2 4
Answer: It is a one-to-one relation and it is
function. Answer: It is a one-to-one relation and it is
function.
e. f.

Answer: Many-to-many relation and it is not a Answer: It is a Many-to-one relation and it is

function because there is at least one element in 𝑥 function.
for which there is more than one corresponding 𝑦-
value.
g. h.

Answer: One-to-many relation and it is not a Answer: It is a one-to-one relation and it is

function because there is at least one element in 𝑥 function.
for which there is more than one corresponding 𝑦-
value.

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CORE118 – General Mathematics
READING MATERIAL
Topic 1
1st Semester, SY 2023-2024

B. Functions as graph

A Vertical Line Test can be used to determine if a given graph is a function or not. A graph represents a function
if and only if any vertical line intersects the graph at most once.

Example 2: Which of the following graphs represent a function?

a. b. c.

d. e. f.

Answer: Graphs (a), (c), (e), and (f) are functions while (b) and (d) are not because they do not satisfy the vertical line
test.

C. Functions as equations

Not every set of ordered pairs defines a function. Similarly, not all equations with the variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 define a
function. If an equation is solved for 𝑦 and more than one value of 𝑦 can be obtained for a particular 𝑥 value, then
the equation does not define 𝑦 as a function of 𝑥.

Example 3: Which of the following represents a function?

a. 4𝑥 = 𝑦 + 3
b. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9
c. 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 4
d. 𝑦=𝑥
𝑥+5
e. 𝑦 = 𝑥−2
f. 𝑦={ −2 , 𝑥 < 0 𝑥 + 5 , 𝑥 ≥ 0

Answer: Among the given equations, (c) is not a function because if we substitute a real number to the 𝑥
variable, we can find more than one 𝑦-value. Hence, it violates the definition of function. Equation (c) is an
equation of a circle.

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CORE118 – General Mathematics
READING MATERIAL
Topic 1
1st Semester, SY 2023-2024

Activity 1.1
Identify whether the following relations are functions or just a mere relation. Write FUNCTION if the
relation illustrates a function, otherwise write RELATION.

1 1 1 1
1. {(2 , 1) , (3 , 2) , (4 , 3) , (5 , 4)} 2. 𝑦 = 𝑥 3

3.
𝑋 1.2 1.8 1.2 1.4 1.6
𝑌 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9

4. 5.

There are different types of functions, equation (a) is a linear function, (b) is a quadratic function, (d) is a logarithmic function,
(e) is a rational function, and (f) is an example of a piecewise-defined function.

a. piecewise-defined function (also called a piecewise function or hybrid function) is a function which is defined by
multiple sub-functions, each sub-function applying to a certain interval of the main function’s domain (a sub-domain).

EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONS

The process of plugging in an argument (given number or expression) for the function’s variable and simplifying the resulting
equation is called evaluating functions.

Example 4: Evaluate the following functions at 𝑥 = 2.

a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1
b. 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2
c. ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 2
2𝑥+1
d. 𝑗(𝑥) =
𝑥−1

Solution:
Substituting 2 for 𝑥 in the functions above, we have
a. 𝑓(2) = 2𝑥 + 1 = 2(2) + 1 = 5
b. 𝑔(2) = (2)2 − 2(2) + 2 = 2
c. ℎ(2) = √2 + 2 = √4 = ±2
2(2)+1 5
d. 𝑗(2) = =1=5
2−1

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CORE118 – General Mathematics
READING MATERIAL
Topic 1
1st Semester, SY 2023-2024

OPERATIONS ON FUNCTIONS

We also perform operations on functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and composition of functions.

A. Sum Function
Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions of the variable 𝑥. The sum function 𝑓 + 𝑔 is the function defined by
(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥).

B. Difference Function
Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions of the variable 𝑥. The difference function 𝑓 − 𝑔 is the function defined by
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥).

C. Product Function
Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions of the variable 𝑥. The product function 𝑓 ∙ 𝑔 is the function defined by
(𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥).

D. Quotient Function
𝑓
Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions of the variable 𝑥. The quotient function is the function defined by
𝑔
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
(𝑔 ) (𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) , 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0.

Composition of Functions
Let 𝑓 and 𝑔 be functions of the variable 𝑥. The composite function denoted by 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 is defined by
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))

The process of obtaining a composite function is called function composition.

Example 5: Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3, find (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥).

Solution:
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) Substitute.
= 𝑔(𝑥) + 4 Substitute.
= (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3) + 4
Distribute.
= 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 + 4
(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2 + 1 Simplify.

Is (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)?

Example 6:
Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 2𝑥 − 3, find (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥).

Solution:
(𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥))
2
= (𝑓(𝑥)) − 2(𝑓(𝑥)) − 3
= (𝑥 + 4)2 − 2(𝑥 + 4) − 3
= (𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16) − 2𝑥 − 8 − 3
= 𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 − 2𝑥 − 8 − 3
(𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 5

Given examples 1 and 2, we can say that (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) ≠ (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥).

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CORE118 – General Mathematics
READING MATERIAL
Topic 1
1st Semester, SY 2023-2024

APPLICATIONS OF FUNCTIONS

Functions may be used as models in depicting real-life situations. The goal of functions is not necessarily to produce
actual results or accurately predict outcomes; they merely approximate the behavior of certain variables to make us better
understand the actual circumstances.

Example 7:
A car rental company charges ₱3,000 a day and ₱15 per kilometer for renting a car. Find a mathematical
model that will represent the relationship of the rental fee in a day and the distance traveled by the car.

Solution:
Given:
➢ There is a fixed rental fee a day which is ₱3,000.
➢ An additional ₱15 rental fee per kilometer traveled by the car.

Let 𝑅(𝑥) be the rental fee and 𝑥 represent the distance traveled by the car in a day.
Thus, the function will be:
𝑅(𝑥) = 3,000 + 15𝑥

Example 8:
A user is charged ₱1,800.00 monthly for a particular mobile plan which includes 200 free text messages.
Messages in excess of 200 are charged ₱1.00 each.
a. Represent the monthly cost for text messaging using the function 𝑝(𝑚), where 𝑚 is the number of
messages sent in a month.
b. If a user sends a total of 250 text messages in a certain month, what is the total cost he/she needs to
pay at the end of the month?
c. How many text messages should a user send if he/she intends to pay ₱2,100 at the end of the
month?

Solution:
a. Let 𝑝(𝑚) represent the amount paid by the user each month. The equation can be expressed as a
piecewise function.
𝑝(𝑚) = {1,800 , 0 ≤ 𝑚 ≤ 200 1,800 + 1.00(𝑚 − 200) , 𝑚 > 200

b. Given: the number of text messages sent is 250 (𝑚 = 250)

Required: total cost to pay at the end of the month
Since 𝑚 > 200, thus, we will use the second sub-function
𝑝(250) = 1,800 + 1.00(250 − 200)
𝑝(250) = 1,850
Therefore, if a user sends a total of 250 text messages in a certain month, the total cost that he/she
needs to pay at the end of the month is ₱1,850.

c. Given: the total cost to pay at the end of the month is ₱2,100 (𝑝(𝑚) = 2,100)
Required: total number of text messages sent in a month
2100 = 1800 + 1.00 (𝑚 − 200)
2100 − 1800 = 1.00𝑚 − 200
300 + 200 = 1.00𝑚
500 = 𝑚
Thus, if a user intends to pay ₱2,100 at the end of the month, he/she can send up to 500 messages.

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CORE118 – General Mathematics
READING MATERIAL
Topic 1
1st Semester, SY 2023-2024

Example 9:
A breakfast cereal company manufactures boxes to package their product. To comply with standards, the box
must have a length 3 times its width and a height 5 times its width.
a. Find a function that models the volume of the box.
b. Find the volume of the box if the width is 1.5 in.
c. For what width is the 90 𝑖𝑛3?
d. For what width is the volume greater than 60 𝑖𝑛3?

Solution:
Given:
➢ Rectangular box
➢ The length is 3 times the width
➢ The height is 5 times the width
The volume of a rectangular box is
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ ⋅ 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ ⋅ ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
Let 𝑤 be the width of the box. Then,
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 3𝑤
ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 5𝑤 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
= 3𝑤 ⋅ 𝑤 ⋅ 5𝑤

a. The function that models the volume of the box is 𝑣(𝑤) = 15𝑤3

b. Required:
Find the volume of the box if the width is 1.5 𝑖𝑛
𝑣(𝑤) = 15𝑤3
𝑣 (1.5) = 15(1.5)3
𝒗(𝟏. 𝟓) = 𝟓𝟎. 𝟔𝟐𝟓 𝒊𝒏𝟑
Answer: The volume of the box if the width is 1.5 𝑖𝑛 is 50.625 𝑖𝑛3.

c. Required:
For what width is the 90𝑖𝑛3?
𝑣(𝑤) = 15𝑤 3
90𝑖𝑛3 = 15𝑤 3
6𝑖𝑛3 = 𝑤 3
3
√6𝑖𝑛 = 𝑤
𝑤 ≈ 1.82 𝑖𝑛

Answer: The volume is 90𝑖𝑛3 when the width is approximately 1.82 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠.

d. Required:
For what width is the volume greater than 60 𝑖𝑛3?
𝑣(𝑤) = 15𝑤 3
15𝑤 3 > 60𝑖𝑛3
𝑤 3 > 4𝑖𝑛3
3
𝑤 > √4𝑖𝑛
𝑤 ≈ 1.59 𝑖𝑛
Answer: The volume will be approximately greater than 1.59 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠.

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