Functions in Math

Functions are the fundamental part of the calculus in mathematics. The functions are the special types of relations. A function in math is visualized as a rule, which gives a unique output for every input x. Mapping or transformation is used to denote a function in math. These functions are usually denoted by letters such as f, g, and h. The domain is defined as the set of all the values that the function can input while it can be defined. The range is all the values that come out as the output of the function involved. Co-domain is the set of values that have the potential of coming out as outputs of a function. Let us explore the world of functions in math.

1.	What Are Functions?
2.	Representation of Functions in Math
3.	Identification of a Function in Math
4.	Composition of Functions
5.	Types of Functions in Math
6.	Graphing Functions
7.	FAQs on Functions in Math

A function is a process or a relation that associates each element 'a' of a non-empty set A , at least to a single element 'b' of another non-empty set B. A relation f from a set A (the domain of the function) to another set B (the co-domain of the function) is called a function in math. f = {(a,b)| for all a ∈ A, b ∈ B}

• A relation is said to be a function if every element of set A has one and only one image in set B.
• A function is a relation from a non-empty set B such that the domain of a function is A and no two distinct ordered pairs in f have the same first element.
• A function from A → B and (a,b) ∈ f, then f(a) = b, where 'b' is the image of 'a' under 'f' and 'a' is the preimage of 'b' under 'f'.
• If there exists a function f: A → B, the set A is called the domain of the function f, and the set B is called its co-domain.

Examples of Functions

Whenever we say that a variable quantity y is a function of a variable quantity x, we mean to say that: y depends on x; the value of y is determined by the value of x. We can write this dependence as follows: y = f (x)

1. The area of a circle can be expressed in terms of its radius A = π r². Area A is dependent on the radius r. In the language of functions in math, we say that A is a function of r.

2. The volume V of a sphere is a function of its radius. The dependence of V on r is given by V = 4/3 π r³.

3. The acceleration a of a body of fixed mass m is a function of the force F applied on the body: a = F/m.

4. The power P dissipated in a resistor of fixed resistance R is a function of the current I passing through the resistor: \(P = {I^2}R\).

5. Suppose that a taxi charges a down payment of $10, and subsequently, $ 2 for every mile traveled. The taxi fare F is a function of the distance d traveled, and the dependence between the two quantities is given by F = 10 + 2d (F is in dollars and d is in miles).

The rule which specifies a function can come in many different forms based on how it is defined. They can be defined as piecewise-defined-functions or as formulas. When we define f(x) = √x, for x ≥ 0, then the inputs are the numbers that we provide and the 'taking square root' function accepts all non-negative real numbers and gets the output as f(x). Most often it is a formula, as in

\(\begin{equation*}
g(x) = \begin{cases}
2x & x < 0\\
x^2 & x \geq 0\\
\end{cases}
\end{equation*}\)

where the domain of g = all real numbers

A function in math can be represented as:

• a set of ordered pairs
• an arrow diagram
• a table form
• a graphical form

"f(x) = x² " is the general manner to represent a function. It is said as f of x is equal to x square. This is represented as f = {(1,1), (2,4), (3,9)}. The domain and range of a function is given as D= {1, 2, 3}, R={1,4, 9}. Here is a representation of a function in math as an ordered pair.

In the example below, only 1 – 1 and many to one are examples of a function because no two ordered pairs have the same first component and all elements of the first set are linked in them. So we say that in a function one input can result in only one output. If we are given any x then there is one and only one y that can be paired with that x. A function cannot be associated with two outputs. A curve drawn in a graph is represented as a function, then every vertical line intersects the curve in at most one point. This vertical line test helps us in determining whether the curve is a function or not.

Functions in math have paramount importance and let us study different types of functions. We have four functions based on the mapping of elements from set A to set B.

• f: A → B is said to be one-to-one or injective, if the images of distinct elements of A under f are distinct, i.e, for every a, b in A, f(a) = f(b), ⇒ a = b. Otherwise, it is many-to-one.
• f: A → B is said to be onto, if every element of B is the image of some element of A under f, i.e, for every b ϵ B, there exists an element a in A such that f(a) = b. A function is onto if and only if the range of the function = B.
• f: A → B is said to be one-to-one and onto or bijective, if f is both one-one and onto.

Let f : A → B and g: B→ C be two functions. Then the composition of f and g is denoted as f(g) and it is defined as the function f \(\circ\) g = f(g(x)) for x ∈ A. Let us consider an example of two functions f(x) and g(x). Let f(x) = (x+1) and g(x) = x². Then f \(\circ\) g = f(x²)

f(x²) = x² + 1

g \(\circ\) f = g(f(x))

g(f(x)) = g((x+1))

= (x+1)² = x²+ 2x + 1

Thus we can conclude that the composition of functions is not commutative. f \(\circ\) g ≠ g \(\circ\) f

Algebra of Functions

The algebra of functions deals with the operations of functions. For the functions f(x) and g(x), where f: X → R and g: X → R, where x ϵ X, we have:

• (f+g) (x) = f(x) + g(x)
• (f-g) (x) = f(x) - g(x)
• (f.g) (x) = f(x) .g(x)
• (k f(x)) = k (f(x)), where k is a real number
• (f/g)(x) = f(x) /g(x), where g(x) ≠ 0

The various types of functions are identity function, constant function, quadratic function, cubic function, cube root function, rational function, modulus function, and so on. Graphing functions is done by placing the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis and plotting the points with coordinates (x,y) in the cartesian plane. All the points on the graph satisfy the equation y = f(x).

• The identity function is the type of function which gives the same input as the output. It is expressed as, f(x) = x, where x ϵ R. For example, f(3) = 3 is an identity function.
• A constant function is the type of function which gives the same value of output for any given input. It is expressed as, f(x) = c, where c is a constant. For example, f(x) = 2 is a constant function.
• A Polynomial function is a type of function which can be expressed as a polynomial. It is expressed as,\(f(x) = a_{n}x^{n} + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} +....... + a_{0}x^{0} \). For example, f(x) = 2x+5 is a polynomial function. f(x)= x³ - 6x²+ 11x - 6
• A Quadratic function is a type of function which has the highest power 2 in the polynomial function. It is expressed as,f(x)=a(x-h)²+k. For example, f(x) = x² + 1 is a quadratic function. The following figure shows the plot of a quadratic function.
• A cubic function is a type of function which has the highest power 3 in the polynomial function.It is expressed as, f(x) = ax³ + bx² + cx + d, where a, b, c, d are constants. For example, f(x) = x³ + 4 is a cubic function. The following figure shows the plot of a cubic function.
• A Rational function is a type of function which is derived from the ratio of two polynomial functions. It is expressed as, f(x) = P(x)/Q(x), such that P and Q are polynomial functions of x and Q(x) ≠ 0. For example, \(f(x) = \frac{x^2 + 2x + 1}{x^2 - 4}\) is a rational function.
• Modulus function is a type of function which gives the absolute value of a number by giving its magnitude. It is expressed as, f(x) = |x| It can further be defined as:

\(\begin{equation*}
f(x) = \begin{cases}
x & x \geq 0\\
-x & x < 0\\
\end{cases}
\end{equation*}\)

Important Notes

• A function in math means a correspondence from one value x of the first set A to another value y of the second set B. It relates inputs to outputs.
• Functions in maths are the subsets of relations.
• If A and B are finite sets such that n(A) = p and n(B) =q, then the total number of functions that exist from A → B is q^p
• Special Rules: a) A function must work for all the possible input values b) With each input value, it must have one relationship only. c) every element in the domain of 'f' has only an image.

Let us have a look at solved examples to know what are functions in math.

☛ Also Check:

• Trigonometric Functions
• Logarithmic Functions
• Exponential Functions
• Even and Odd Functions

 

What is a Function in Math?

A relation f from a set A (the domain of the function) to another set B (the co-domain of the function) is called a function in math.

What are Parts of a Function?

The three basic concepts that help define any function are domain, range, and co-domain. The domain is defined as the set of all the values that the function can input while it can be defined. The range is all the values that come out as the output of the function involved. Co-domain is the set of values that have the potential of coming out as outputs of a function.

How Do You Write a Function in Math?

A function is a process or a relation that associates each element 'a' of a set A , to a single element 'b' of another set B. The function is represented as f: A → B. "f(x) = x²" is the general manner to represent a function. For every x as the input value, the function of squaring is done and the output gets generated.

What is The Basic Concept of Function in Math?

A relation is said to be a function if every element of set A has one and only one image in set B. The function must work for all the possible input values and with each input value, it must have one relationship only. A function is a relation from a non-empty set B such that the domain of a function is A and no two distinct ordered pairs in f have the same first element.

How to do Transformations of Functions?

The different transformations are reflection, translation, rotation, and dilation. Follow the rules of the different transformations to find the transformations of functions. For example, f(x+c) horizontally shifts the graph of f(x) left by c units.

How to Solve Cubic Functions Using the Factor Theorem?

If f(x) = ax³ + bx² + cx +d, and f(p) = 0, then x-p is a factor of this cubic function in math.

What is a Rational Function?

A rational function is an algebraic fraction with numerator and denominator as polynomials and the denominator is not equal to zero. The coefficients of the polynomials need not be rational numbers. An example of a rational function: f(x) = 2x/ (x+1)

How to Find the Domain of a Rational Function?

The domain of a rational function consists of all the real numbers x except those for which the denominator is 0. To find these x values to be excluded from the domain of a rational function, equate the denominator to zero and solve for x. For example, f(y) = y/(y²-25) is a rational function. f(y) = y/[(y+5)(y-5)]. Equating, the denominator to zero, we get the expression to be undefined for y = -5 and y =5. Thus the excluded values are 5, -5.

How do You Prove That a Function is Onto?

A function is onto function if and only if the range is equal to the co-domain.

What is the General Form of a Quadratic Function?

The general form of a quadratic function is f(x)=ax²+bx+c, where a ≠ 0.

What Are Some Examples of Functions in Math?

• The number of sodas coming out of a vending machine depending on how much money you insert.
• The amount of carbon left in a fossil after a certain number of years.
• The salary of a person is a function of the number of hours worked by that person.
• The area of a square is a function of the length of its side. A = a², where a is the length of the side.