MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

UNIT 3 CHARACTERISTIC OF FUNCTIONS

CONTENTS

3.0 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
3.0 Main Content
3.1 Types of Functions
3.2 Inverse Functions
3.3 Composite Function
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor Marked Assignment
7.0 References/Further Readings

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Investigation of function are carried out by observing the graph of the

function or the value of the function as the independent variable changes
within a given intervals. In other words a function is investigated by
characterization of its variation (or its behaviour) as the independent
variable changes. The classification of the variety of function is very
vast. The following types defined in this unit is by no means this unit
you continue the study of functions by considering special features that`
characterize a function.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

After studying this unit you should be able to correctly:

i. Identify basic characteristics of functions such as monotonic

property boundedness etc.
ii. Define an inverse function.
iii. Define a composite function
iv. Combine functions, to form a new function.
v. Determine whether a given function has an inverse or not.

3.0 MAIN CONTENT

3.1 Types of Functions

Zero of a function: The value of x for which a function vanishes, that is

for which f(x) = 0 is called The Zero (or root) of the function.

29
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Example la.

The function ,ƒ(x) = x2-3x+2 has two roots i.e.; x=2 or 1.

One of the roots of the function.

,ƒ(x) = x3-2x2 - 5x + 6 is 1.
i.e., ,ƒ(1) = 13 - 2.12 - 5.1 + 6 = 0

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1

Find other roots of the above function.

1. Even and Odd Functions

A function y =,ƒ(x) is said to be even, if the changes of the

sign of any value of the independent variable does not affect the
value of the function.

F(-x) _ F(x) .
i. e, ƒ(-x) = ,ƒ(x) ∀x∈X

A function y = ,ƒ(x) is said to be odd if the change of sign of any

value of the independent variable results in the change of the sign
of the function

i.e. ; ƒ(-x) = -,ƒ(x)

Example

The function y = x2 is an even function while the function y = sin

x and y = x3 are odd functions.

Remark: Arbitrary functions such as y = x +1, y = 2 sin x + 3 Cos

x can of course be neither even nor odd.

2. Periodic Function

A function y = ,ƒ(x) is said to be periodic if there exists a

number n ≠ 0 such that for any x belonging to the domain of the
function the values x + n of the independent variable also
belonging to the domain of the function and the identity.

,ƒ(x + n) = ,ƒ(x) holds where n is called

the period of the function. 1

30
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Example

If ,ƒ(x) is a periodic function with

period n the ƒ(x + n) =,ƒ(x + 2n) = ,ƒ(x)

Generally for any periodic function ƒ (x) with period n.

ƒ (x + nk) = ƒ (x)for any x∈Z, k∈N,

A simple example of a periodic function is the function ƒ(x) =s i

nx or ƒ(x) Cosx.

See Fig. 9.

Y = Sinx

0
2π 4π

Fig. 9a.

Y = Sinx

0
2π 4π

Fig. 9b

3. Monotonic Functions

A function is said to be monotonic if it is either increasing or

decreasing within a given interval.

The study of monotonic function is an important concept in the

application of calculus, this will be treated in the last two units of
this course.

You will now consider explicit definitions of a monotonic

increasing function and monotonic decreasing function within a
given interval.

31
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Definition l: A function ƒ(x) is said to be monotonic

increasing in an interval.

If x1 < x2 ⇒ ƒ (x1) < ƒ(x2)

for any two points x1, x2∈I,
If ƒ (x1) < ƒ (x2) then the function ƒ(x) is said to be strictly
increasing.

Definition 2: A function ƒ (x) is said to be monotonic decreasing

in an interval I

If x1 < x2 ⇒ ƒ (x1) > ƒ(x2)

for any two points x1, x2∈I

If ƒ (x1) > ƒ (x2) then the function ƒ(x) is said to be strictly

increasing.

Example

The function y = x2 is monotonic decreasing in the interval (- ∞ ,

0] and monotonic increasing in the interval [0, ∞ ). See fig. 10

ƒ(-2) ƒ(2)

ƒ(-) ƒ(1)

-∞ -2 -1 1 2
∞

Fig. 10.
-1,-2 ∈ (-∞,o] and -2< -1 but ƒ(-2) > ƒ (-1)
1,2 ∈∈ [o, ∞), 1<2 and ƒ(1) < ƒ(2)

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2

Determine whether the function ƒ (x) = 2x is monotonic increasing or

decreasing in the interval I = (-∞, ∞ ).

32
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Determine whether the following functions are monotonic increasing or

decreasing in the interval (o, ∞ ):

i. ƒ (x) = 2x
ii. ƒ (x) = 2-x
iii. ƒ (x) = 23
iv. ƒ (x) = 2

4. Bounded Functions

Recall the definition of a bounded set defined in Unit 2. You will

now use the same concept to define a bounded function. If a
function ƒ(x) assumed on a given interval I a value M which is
greater than all other values ( i.e.; ƒ(x) < M for all x∈I) then the
function f (x) is said to be bounded above. The M is called the
greatest value of the function ƒ(x) at that interval I. Similarly, if
there is a constant M such that all other values of the functions is
greater than (i.e.; ƒ (x) >M for all x∈1) then we say that ƒ (x) is
bounded below and the value M is called the least value of the
function ƒ (x) in I.

Definition of a Bounded Function: A function f (x) is said to

be bounded in an interval 1. If there exists a number k∈R such
that

ƒ(x) K for all x∈I y Lvle

alternatively, if given M, ƒ (x) > M in the interval I we say

ƒ (x) in bounded, below

Example 1

The function ƒ (x) = 2x+1 is bounded in the interval [-2,2]

i.e ƒ(-2) ƒ(2) is bounded in the interval (-2, 2).

2. The function ƒ(x) = 2x2-3x+2 is bounded in the interval
x∈ [o,2]

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3

33
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Determine whether the following function are bounded in the given

intervals.

i. ƒ (x) = x2 – 4x + 4 x∈ (-∞, ∞ ).
ii. ƒ (x) = x2 – 4x + 4 x∈ (2, 10).
iii. ƒ (x) = 2 + x + x2 x∈ (-1, 2 ).

3.2 Inverse Function

Domain and Range: since the domain and range will be useful in the
study of inverse of a function you have to briefly review the concept as
you have studied the fact that one of the ways a function can be
determined is through the domain of the function i.e. the set containing
the first variable for which a function makes sense. You shall consider
some few examples of domain of a given function.

Example

i. Given the function

ƒ (x) =X2, x is a real number.

Here the domain of ƒ is the set of all real numbers. The range is
therefore R+ = [o, ∞ ). In symbols you write.

D= {x: x∈R} and R = [y; y∈R+}.

ii. Given the function

ƒ (x) =x -1 , x is a real number.

Here the domain of ƒ is the set of all real numbers greater than

1. i.e.; D = {x: x >1 } Since any other value of x will result to the
square root of a negative number which does not make sense in
the set of real numbers. The range R = {y : y∈ R+}

iii. Given the function

ƒ (x ) = ___1___ = _____1__ the domain

x2-1 (x-1) (x+1)

D = { x : x∈R, x ≠ - 1 or 1}. If x = -1 or 1 the value of the

function will be meaningless.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 4

34
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

1. Find the range of example (iii) above.

2. Let the function f assign to each state in Nigeria its capital city.
State the domain of f and its range.

You will continue the study in this section by giving definitions of

certain features of functions. (there have been kept purposely for this
moment.)

1. Onto Functions

Let the function y = ƒ (x) with domain of definition X {i.e. the

admissible set of values of x) and the range Y (the set of the
corresponding values of y). Then a the function y = ƒ(x) is
an Onto function if to each point or element of set there
corresponds a uniquely determined point (or element) of the set
Y, i.e., if every point in set Y is the image of at least one point in
set X.

Example: consider the function shown in fig 11

ƒ ƒ
a x
a y

b y

b
c y

(A) (B)
Fig 11.

The function Fig. (A) is an Onto function. The function in Fig.

(B) is not an onto function

Example: The function ƒ (x) = x2 is an Onto function

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 5

Give reason why the function in the Fig. (a) above is an onto function
and the other one in Fig(b) is not.

35
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

2. One-to-One Function

Let the function y = ƒ(x) be an onto function. If in addition each

point (or element) of set X corresponds to one and only one point
(or element) of set Y then the function y = ƒ(x) is said to be one
to one function.

Example

The function y =x2 is an onto function and not a one to one

function. Whereas the function y = x3 is an onto function as well
as a one to one function
(see fig 12)
y

y = x3

0 x

Fig 12. (a)

Y = x2

36
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

X
O
Fig. 12. (b)

In fig. 12 (a) no horizontal line intersect to the graph more than

once thus the function.

Y = x3 is one to one function.

In Fig. 12. (b) the horizontal lines intersects the graph in more
than one point thus the

ƒ(x) = x2 is not a one to one function.

3.3 Composite Functions

Generally functions with a common domain can be added and

subtracted. That is, if the functions ƒ (x) and g(x) have the same domain.
Then:

(f ± g) (x) = ƒ(x) ± g (x)

Example:

Let ƒ (x) = x2 and g(x) = 3x - 2

Then ƒ (x) + g(x) = x2 + 3x - 2

The above concept can be extended to the case of multiplication. i.e.;

given that ƒ (x) and g(x) have the same domain then

ƒg (x) = ƒ(x) g(x).

Using the above example we have that:

ƒ(x) g(x) = x2 (3x - 2) = 3x3 -2x2

Division is also allowed between functions having the same

domain.

Let ƒ (x) = 2x and g(x) = x - 1

37
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Then; ƒ (x) = 2x
g(x) x-1

There is another way function can be combined which is quite different

from the ones described above. In this case two function ƒ (x) and g(x)
are combined by first finding the range of ƒ (x) and making it the
domain of g(x).

This idea is shown in fig 13.

g ﴾(x)

ƒ(x) g(x)
X Y Z

The function you get by first applying ƒ to x and then applying g to ƒ (x)
is given as g ﴾(x) and called the composition of g and ƒ and is denoted
by the symbol

g o ƒ ( which reads g circle ƒ )

i.e.; (go ƒ) (x) = g ﴾(x))

Example

1. Given that ƒ (x) = 1/x and g(x) = x2 + 1

ƒog= ƒ ﴾g(x)) = ____x___
x2 +1

goƒ= g o ﴾ (x)) = 1/x2 + 1. = __x2 + 1___

x2

2. Given that ƒ(x) = x2 and g(x) = x + 1

goƒ = g ƒ﴾(x)) = x2 + 1

38
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

ƒog = ƒ﴾g (x)) = (x + 1) 2 = x2 + 2x + 1

In the two examples above you can easily conclude that goƒ ≠ ƒog
The composition of functions can be extended to three or more
functions.

Example

Let ƒ (x) = x - 1, g(x) = x2 + 1, h(x) = 2x.

Then hogo ƒ = h (go ƒ) = h ﴾g ﴾(x)) )

=2 (x- 1)2 + 1) = 2x2 – 4x +4

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 6

Give that ƒ (x) = x, g(x)=x-1, h(x) = √x -1

Find the following composite functions.

1. ƒ og
2. go ƒ
3. ho ƒ
4. hog
5. ƒ ogoh

You will now use materials discussed above in this section to study and
define the inverse for any given function. A function that will have an
inverse must fulfill the function, since the inverse function is a unique
function in respect of the original function.

Definition of Inverse. of. a Function: If a function y= ƒ (x) is a one to

one function, then there is one and only one function x = g(y) whose
domain of definition is the range of the function y = ƒ (x). such that;

ƒg ( ƒ (x ) ) = x and g(x) = ƒ -1 (x)

Examples

1. If given that ƒ (x) = x3 then ƒ-1(x) =3√ x

2. Use the above and illustrate the fact that ƒ-1 o ƒ = ƒ -1 o ƒ

39
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Given that ƒ-1 (x) = g (x) =3√ x = x ⅓

And ƒ (x) = x3

ƒ-1 oƒ =goƒ=g ﴾(x) ) = (x3) ⅓ = x

And ƒoƒ-1- = ƒog = ƒ ﴾g(x) ) = ((x ⅓)3 = x

Find the inverse of the following function.

1. 2x-4
2. 6x -5
3. ƒ (x) = x5
4. 2x3 -1
Solutions:

1. Let y =2x-4
Then y+4=2x
⇒ x = y + 4 (solving for x)
2
then ƒ (x) x + 4 (interchanging x and y)
-1

2
2. Let y = 6x -5
Then y + 5 = 6x (solving for x)
x = y+5
6
ƒ-1(x) x+5
6 (interchanging x and y)

3. Let y = x5

then x 5 √y (solving for x)

ƒ-1(x) = 5 √x (interchanging x and y)

4. Let y = 2x3 -1
y + 1= 2x3
y+l = x3
2

x=3 y+1 (solving for x)

2

ƒ-1 (x) = 3 x+1 (interchanging x and y)

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 7

40
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

1. Show that ƒ-l oƒ = ƒoƒ-1 = x in example 1 to 4 above.

2. Given the following functions
a. ƒ (x) = 6x - 3
b. ƒ (x) = x7
c. ƒ (x) = mx =b
d. ƒ (x) = 1/1 -x
e. ƒ (x) = __1__
x3 -1
d. ƒ (x) = __1__
1+x

i. State the domain of each function.

ii. Derive the inverse of each function.

4.0 CONCLUSION

In this unit you have studied characteristics of functions You have used
graphs to represent functions and identity some characteristics exhibited
by these functions. You have studied how to form a new function by
combining two or more functions.

Furthermore, you have studied how to determine whether a function has

an inverse or not.

5.0 SUMMARY

In this unit you have:

a. Defined a function
b. Discussed various types of functions
c. Use graphs to describe the characteristics of functions such as
periodic, monotonic, one to one onto and transcendental
functions.
d Defined domain and range of a function
f Formed new functions by combining two or more functions -
composition of functions.
g Discussed the inverse of a one to one function.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENTS

1. Give a precise definition of the following unit examples

a. domain of a function
b. inverse of a function

41
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

c. composition of functions
d. bounced function
e. an even function
f. a periodic function
g. a monotonic decreasing function in an interval
h. maximum value of a function is an interval.

2. Given the following functions.

a. ƒ (x) = __2x__
x -5
b. ƒ (x) = __1__
x3 – 1

c. ƒ (x) = 27x3 - 2

d. +ƒ (x) = __x__
(x – 1) (x+2)

1. State the domain of definition for each function

2. Find the inverse of each function if it exists.

3 Given the following function ƒ (x) = x2, g(x) = 2x-1, h(x) =

x+1
Find the:

a. ƒg
b. ƒ/g
c. ƒog
d. ƒogoh
e. (g-h) oƒ

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS

Godwin Odili (Ed) (1997): Calculus with Coordinate Geometry and

Trigonometry, Anachuma Educational Books, Nigeria.

Osisiogu U.A (1998) An introduction to Real Analysis with Special

Topic on Functions of Several Variables and Method of
Lagranges Multipliers, Bestsoft Educational Books Nigeria
Flanders H, Korfhage R.R, Price J.J (1970) Calculus academic
press New York and London. Osisioga U.A (Ed)(2001)

42
MTH 112 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

fundamentals of Mathematical analysis, best soft Educational

Books, Nigeria.

Satrmino L.S. & Einar H. (1974) Calculus "2nd Edition”, John Wiley &
Sons New York. London, Sydney. Toronto.

Thomas G.B and Finney R. L (1982) Calculus and Analytic Edition,

Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Would student series
Edition, London, Sydrey, Tokyo, Manila, Reading.

43