GENERAL MATHEMATICS

LESSON 1 -FUNCTIONS

Functions
● Mathematical models or equation provide the relationship between two or more variables.
● Relation is formed if one variable is associated with another variable.
● Independent variables are quantities that change its value based on natural phenomena.
● Dependent variables are quantities that change its values by changing the magnitude of the independent
variable.
● A special type of relation between two variable is called a function.
● A function is a relation between a dependent and independent variable/s wherein for every value of the
● independent variable where the function is defined, there exist a unique or a single value of the dependent
variables
● Mathematical Notation:
➔ y = f(x)
y=Dependent variable
f(x)= Independent variable
➔ f(x) read as “ f of x”
Ways of Representing Function
● Ordered pair (x,f(x))
The independent and dependent variable are written as point the rectangular coordinate system (x,y),
● Equation y=f(x)
Function can be expressed in terms of an equation written explicitly, as y = f(x),
● Table
All the points in the ordered pairs can be tabulated using two rows
● Mapping
In the tabular form of representing the functions, the possible values of x and y are arranged in chronological order
and lines from the independent variable is drawn going to its corresponding dependent variable.
● Graph
Graphical Method is the practical ways of representing the function, where the properties of the function can be

fully be identified and discussed.

Modeling with Functions
The dependent variable of an unknown quantity can be modeled using direct variation with a constant
called constant of proportionality k. If y is directly proportional to x, it can be said that y=k x.
Example:
If y varies directly as x and y(3) = 6. Determine y(5).
Step 1: Finding the value of the Step 2: Create a model by Step 3: Determine the value of y
constant of proportionality applying the constant of based on
proportionality the new model
y=kx
6=k(3) y=kx y=2x
k=6/3=2 y=2(x) y=2(5)
y=10

Joint variation occurs when the function varies directly with several independent variables. The general
formula for joint variation with y varying jointly with x and z is as follows: y=kxz
Example:
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
The force(F) of attraction between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their individual masses (m1
and m2). The Force of attraction is 10N between two objects with masses 2kg and 5kg. Determine the Force when
mass is 3kg and 9kg.

Step 1: Find the value of the constant Step 2: Create a model Step 3: Apply the new model
of proportionality
y=kxy y=kxy F = 1(m1)(m2)
F = k(m1)(m2) 🡪 rewritten based on the F = k(m1)(m2) F = 1(3)(9)
given of the situation F = 1(m1)(m2) F = 27N
10 = k(2)(5)
10 = k(10)
K=10/10
K=1

A vertical line test is used when checking if the graph is a function. If a vertical line intersects the graph at most
once, then the graph is a function.

A. Domain of a Function
1) List of all the possible values of the independent variable(x-values)
2) Denoted as Dx

B. Range of a Function
1) Set of the possible values of the dependent variable (y-values)
2) Denoted as Ry

Example: Determine the domain and the range defined by the function S= {(1,3),(2,7),(4,5),(7,10),(8,2)}
Solution:
Dx = {1,2,4,7,8}
Dy = {3,7,5,10,2}
Example:
Determine the domain and the range defined by the graph
Solution:Dx = [-3,5]
Dy = (-4,-2] U (1,5]
Evaluation of Functions
● Identify the independent variable and replace each independent variable by a pair of parenthesis
● Plug in the given value of the independent variable to the equation and simplify the expression using
PEMDAs rule
● Ensure that there is no violation of rules in algebra like division by 0, and negative radicand for even
indexed radicals
Mathematical Operations Between Functions
If f(x) and g(x) are two functions, then the following operations between functions may be performed:
Definition. Let f and g be functions.
● 1. Their sum, denoted by ff + gg, is the function denoted by
(f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x).
● 2. Their difference, denoted by f − g, is the function denoted by
(f − g)(x) = f(x) − g(x).
● 3. Their product, denoted by f • g, is the function denoted by
(f • g)(x) = f(x) • g(x).
● 4. Their quotient, denoted by f/g, is the function denoted by
(f/g)(x) = f(x)/g(x), excluding the values of x where g(x) = 0.
● 5. The composite function denoted by
(ff ° gg)(xx) = ff(gg(xx)).
The process of obtaining a composite function is called function composition.
Example 1. Given the functions:
ff(xx) = xx + 5 gg(xx) = 2xx − 1 h(xx) = 2xx2 + 9xx − 5
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
GENERAL MATHEMATICS

1. Replace each letter in the expression with the assigned value.

First, replace each letter in the expression with the value that is assign to it. To make your calculations clear and
accurate, enclose the numbers you're substituting in parentheses. The value that is given to a variable stays the
same throughout the entire problem, even if the letter occurs more than once in the
Expression. However, since variables "vary", the value assigned to a particular variable may differ from every
problem.
2. Perform the operations in the expression using the correct order of operations.
Once you've substituted the value for the letter, do the operations to find the value of the expression. Don't forget
to use the correct order of operations: first do any operations involving exponents, then do multiplication and
division, and finally do addition and subtraction!
Types of Functions
Read and analyze some of the common types of functions that you might encounter as you go on with this module.
GENERAL MATHEMATICS

When we say evaluating function, is the process of determining the value of the function at the number assigned
to a given variable. Just like in evaluating algebraic expressions, you just need to: a.) replace each letter in the
expression with the assigned value and b.) perform the correct order of operations in the expression.
GENERAL MATHEMATICS

Composition of functions:

In composition of functions, we will have a lot of substitutions. You learned in previous lesson that to evaluate a
function, you will just substitute a certain number in all of the variables in the given function. Similarly, if a function
is substituted to all variables in another function, you are performing a composition of functions to create another
function. Some authors call this operation as “function of functions”.
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
GENERAL MATHEMATICS
Piecewise function definition A piecewise function is a function that is defined by different formulas or functions
for each given interval. It’s also in the name: piece. The function is defined by pieces of functions for each part
of the domain.

2x, for x > 0

1, for x = 0

-2x, for x < 0

As can be seen from the example shown above, f(x) is a piecewise function because it is defined uniquely
for the three intervals: x > 0, x = 0, and x < 0.

To graph a piecewise function, graph each subfunction at the indicated domain. Be wary of the inequality symbols
(< , ≤ , > , ≥) and whether they include or exclude the end of the subdomain. If they include the domain, draw a
point and fill it in. If they exclude the domain, draw a point but do not fill it in.