11

General
Mathematics
Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO
FUNCTIONS

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Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

General Mathematics – Grade 11
LESSON
REPRESENTATIONS OF FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONS
1
Here you’ll learn how to interpret situations that occur in everyday life and use
functions to represent them. You’ll also use these functions to answer questions that
come up.

What if your bank charged a monthly fee of $15 for your checking account
and also charged $0.10 for each check written? How would you represent this
scenario with a function? Also, what if you could only afford to spend $20 a month on
fees? Could you use your function to find out how many checks you could write per
month? In this Concept, you’ll learn how to handle situations like these by using
functions.

Write a Function Rule

In many situations, data is collected by conducting a survey or an experiment. To

visualize the data, it is arranged into a table. Most often, a function rule is needed to
predict additional values of the independent variable.

Example

Try to notice the trend of each variable.

Number of CDs 2 4 6 8 10

Cost (Php) 24 48 72 96 120

Solution:

You pay Php 24 for 2 CDs, Php 48 for 4 CDs, and Php 120 for 10 CDs. That
means that each CD costs Php 12.

We can write the function rule.

Cost =Php12 ×number of CDsor f (x)=12 x

Example

Write a function rule for the table.

x −2 0 2 −3 −1 1 3

y 2 0 2 3 1 1 3
Solution:

The values of the dependent variable are always the corresponding positive
outcomes of the input values. This relationship has a special name, the absolute
value. The function rule looks like this: f (x)=¿ x ∨.

Represent a Real-World Situation with a Function.

Let’s look at a real-world situation that can be represented by a function.

Example

Maya has an internet service that currently has a monthly access fee of $ 11.95 and a
connection fee of $ 0.50 per hour. Represent her monthly cost as a function of
connection time.

Solution:

Let x=¿ the number of hours Maya spends on the internet in one month.
y=¿ Maya’s monthly cost.
The monthly fee is $ 11.95 with an hourly charge of$ 0.50 .
The total cost = flat fee + hourly fee × number of hours. The function is

y=f (x )=11.95+ 0.50 x .

Definition

A relation is a rule that relates values from a set of values (called the domain) to a second set of
values (called the range).

A relation is a set of ordered pairs ( x , y ).

A function is a relation where each element in the domain is related to only one value in the
range by some rule.

A function is a set of ordered pairs ( x , y ) such that no two ordered pairs have the same x-value
but different y-values. Using functional notation, we can write f (x)= y, read as
“ f of x is equal ¿ y . ” In particular, if (1 , 2) is an ordered pair associated with the function f, then
we say that f (2)=1.

Here is a video to introduce functions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAoe4xjUZQk

 What’s More

Relations can be represented by using ordered pairs, graph, table of values,

mapping diagram and rule or equations. Determine which of the following represents
functions.

1. Ordered Pairs
Example 1. Which of the following relations are functions?

f =( 1 , 3 ) , ( 4 , 1 ) , ( 2 , 0 ) ,(7,2)

g= ( 3 ,2 ) , ( 4,4 ) , ( 3 , 3 ) ,(8 , 9)

h=( 1 ,2 ) , ( 2, 3 ) , ( 3 , 4 ) ,(4 , 5)

Solution:

The relations f and h are functions because no two ordered pairs have the
same x-value but different y-values. Meanwhile, g is not a function because
(3,2) and (3 , 3) are ordered pairs with the same x-value but different y-
values.

Relations and functions can be represented by mapping diagrams where

the elements of the domain are mapped to the elements of the range using
arrows. In this case, the relation or function is represented by the set of all
the connections represented by the arrows.

2. Table of values
Example 2

A. x -3 -2 -1 0 1 3 4

y 10 5 2 1 2 5 6

Answer: Function. This is a many-to- one correspondence.

Inspecting the abscissas in the table,

x 1 1 1 2 4
B.
y 1 2 3 4 5

Answer: mere relation. This is a

one- to- many correspondence. Looking at the table, there is duplication in
the domain. The element “1” in x is matched to three elements in y.
3. Mapping Diagrams
Example 3. Which of the following mapping diagrams represent functions?

f
g

Solution.

The relations f and g are functions because each value y in Y is unique for
a specific value of x. The relation h is not a function because there is at
least one element in X for which there is more than one corresponding y-
value. For example, x=2 corresponds to y=20 or 40.

A relation between two sets of numbers can be illustrated by a graph in the

Cartesian plane, and that a function passes the vertical line test.

The Vertical Line Test

A graph represents a function if and only if each vertical line intersects the graph
at most once.

Example 4. Which of the following can be graphs of functions?

1. 2.
3. 4.

5.

Solution.

Graphs 2, 3, 4 are graphs of functions while 1 and 5 are not because they
do not pass the vertical line test.

Important Concepts.
Relations are rules that relate two values, one from a set of inputs and the second from the set
of outputs.

Functions are rules that relate only one value from the set of outputs to a value from the set of
inputs.

The domain of a relation is the set of all possible values that the variable x can take.

Example 5.

Identify the domain for each relation using set builder notation.

a. y=3 x−2
b. y=3 x 2−4 x
 c. x 2+ y 2=1
d. y= √ x−4
2 x+1
e. y=
x−1

Solution. The domains for the relations are as follows:

a. { x : x ∈ R } d. { x : x ∈ R , x ≥ 4 }
b. { x : x ∈ R } e. { x : x ∈ R , x ≠ 1 }
c. { x : x ∈ R ,−1≤ x ≤ 1 }

Functions as representations of real-life situations.

Functions can often be used to model real situations. Identifying an appropriate
functional model will lead to a better understanding of various phenomena.

Example 6.

Give a function C that can represent the cost of buying x meals, if one meal
costs P40.

Solution: Since each meal costs P40, then the cost function is C (x)=40 x.

Example 7.

One hundred meters of fencing is available to enclose a rectangular area

next to a river (see figure). Give a function A that can represent the area that
can be enclosed, in terms of x.

Solution.
 The area of the rectangular enclosure is A=xy. We will write this as a
function ofx. Since only 100 m of fencing is available, then x +2 y =100 or
100−x
y= =50 – 0.5 x . Thus, A=x(50 – 0.5 x)=50 x – 0.5 x 2 .
2

Piecewise Functions.
Some situations can only be described by more than one formula, depending on the
value of the independent variable.

Example 8.

A user is charged P 300 monthly for a particular mobile plan, which includes
100 free text messages. Messages in excess of 100 are charged P1 each.
Represent the monthly cost for text messaging using the function t (m) ,
where m is the number of messages sent in a month.

Solution. The cost of text messaging can be expressed by the piecewise function

300 , if 0< m≤ 100

t (m)= {300+ m, if m>100

Example 9.

A jeepney ride costs P8.00 for the first 4 kilometers, and each additional
integer kilometer adds P1.50 to the fare. Use a piecewise function to
represent the jeepney fare in terms of the distance (d) in kilometers.

Solution.

The input value is distance and the output is the cost of the jeepney fare. If
F (d) represents the fare as a function of distance, the function can be
represented as follows:

8.00 , if 0< d ≤ 4
F (d)= {8+1 ⌊ d ⌋ ,if d> 4

Note that ⌊ d ⌋ is the floor or greatest integer function applied to d. The floor
function gives the largest integer less than or equal to d, e.g.
⌊ 4.1 ⌋=⌊ 4.9 ⌋=⌊ 4 ⌋
Example 10.

Water can exist in three states: solid ice, liquid water, and gaseous water
vapor. As ice is heated, its temperature rises until it hits the melting point of
0°C and stays constant until the ice melts. The temperature then rises until it
hits the boiling point of 100°C and stays constant until the water evaporates.
When the water is in a gaseous state, its temperature can rise above 100°C
(This is why steam can cause third degree burns!).

A solid block of ice is at -25°C and heat is added until it completely turns into
water vapor. Sketch the graph of the function representing the temperature of
water as a function of the amount of heat added in Joules given the following
information:

 The ice reaches 0°C after applying 940 J.

 The ice completely melts into liquid water after applying a total of 6,950 J.
 The water starts to boil (100°C) after a total of 14,470 J.
 The water completely evaporates into steam after a total of 55,260 J.
Assume that rising temperature is linear. Explain why this is a piecewise function.

Solution. Let T ( x) represent the temperature of the water in degrees Celsius as a

function of cumulative heat added in Joules. The function T(x) can be graphed as
follows:

This is a piecewise function because the temperature rise can be expressed as a

linear function with positive slope until the temperature hits 0°C, then it becomes a
constant function until the total heat reaches 6,950 K J . It then becomes linear again
until the temperature reaches 100°C, and becomes a constant function again until
the total heat reaches 55,260 J .

LESSON
EVALUATING FUNCTIONS
2

PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS:

You need a good grasp of GEMDAS. GEMDAS is an acronym for the words
Grouping symbols, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. When
asked to simplify two or more operations in one algebraic/numerical expression, the
order of the letters in GEMDAS indicates what to calculate first, second, third and so
on, until a simplified expression is achieved.

Evaluating a function means replacing the variable in the function, in this

case x, with a value from the function's domain and computing for the result.
To denote that we are evaluating f at a for some a in the domain of f, we write
f ( a).

Check this link for more examples:

https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/functions-evaluating.html

What’s More

Example 1. Evaluate the following functions atx=1.5:

a. f (x)=3 x−2
b. g( x )=3 x 2−4 x
c. h(x )=√ x +4
2 x +1
d. r ( x )=
x−1
e. t (x)=⌊ x ⌋ +1where ⌊ x ⌋ is the greatest integer function
Solution:

a. y=3 x−2=3 ( 1.5 )−2=4.5−2=2.5

 b. y=3 x 2−4 x=3 ¿
c. y= √ x +4= √ 1.5+ 4=√ 5.5=2.34
2 x+1 2 ( 1.5 )+ 1 3+1 4
d. y= = = = =8
x−1 1.5−1 0.5 0.5
e. y=⌊ x ⌋ +1=⌊1.5 ⌋ +1=1+1=2
Example 2.

Evaluate the following functions, where f and g are as defined in

Example 1.a. – 1.b.

a) f (2 x +1) b) g( 4 x−3)

Solution:

a. f ( 2 x+ 1 )=3 ( 2 x +1 )−2=6 x+ 3−2=6 x+1

b. g ( 4 x−3 )=3 ¿
¿ 3 ( 16 x 2−24 x +9 ) −16 x+12

¿ 48 x 2−72 x+ 27−16 x +12

¿ 48 x 2−88 x +39

Example 3

Evaluate f (a+b) where f ( x )=4 x 2−3 x .

Solution.

f ( a+b ) =4 ¿

¿ 4 a2−3 a+ 8 ab−3 b+4 b2

Example 4

Suppose that s(T ) is the top speed (in km per hour) of a runner when the
temperature is T degrees Celsius. Explain what the statements s(15)=12
and s(30)=10 mean.

Solution.

The first equation means that when the temperature is15 ° C, then the top
speed of a runner is 12 km per hour. However, when temperature rises to
30 ° C, the top speed is reduced to 10 km per hour.
 Example 5

The velocity V (in m/s) of a ball thrown upward t seconds after the ball was
thrown is given byV (t )=20 – 9.8 t. Calculate V (0) andV (1), and explain what
these results mean.

Solution.

V (0)=20 – 9.8( 0)=20 and V (1)=20 – 9.8(1)=10.2. These results indicate

that the initial velocity of the ball is 20 m/s. After 1 second, the ball is
traveling more slowly, at 10.2 m/s.

LESSON

3 Operations on Functions & Composition of Functions

PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS:

Basic knowledge of algebra is required such as simplifying expressions, factoring

and the like.
Source:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-pemdas-definition-rule-examples.html

Learning Outcome(s): At the end of the lesson, the learner is able to perform
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, composition of functions, and solve
problems involving functions.
Lesson Outline:
1. Review: Operations on algebraic expressions
2. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of functions
3. Function composition

RECALL: Addition and Subtraction

a. Find the least common denominator (LCD) of both fractions.

b. Rewrite the fractions as equivalent fractions with the same LCD.
c. The LCD is the denominator of the resulting fraction.
d. The sum or difference of the numerators is the numerator of the resulting
fraction.
 1 2
Example 1. Find the sum of and
3 5

Solution. The LCD of the two fractions is 15.

1 2 5 6 5+6 11
+ = + = =
3 5 15 15 15 15

1 2
Example 2. Find the sum of and
x−3 x−5

Solution. The LCD of the two fractions is ( x−3 ) ( x−5 ) =x2 −8 x+15

1 2 1(x−5) 2(x−3) x −5+2 x−6 3 x−11

+ = 2 + 2 = =
x−3 x−5 x −8 x +15 x −8 x +15 x 2−8 x+15 x2−8 x +15

RECALL: Multiplication

a. Rewrite the numerator and denominator in terms of its prime factors.

b. Common factors in the numerator and denominator can be simplified as “1”.
c. Multiply the numerators together to get the new numerator.
d. Multiply the denominators together to get the new denominator.

10 15
Example 3. Find the product of and .
21 8

Solution.

Express the numerators and denominators of the two fractions into

their prime factors. Multiply and simplify out common factors in the
numerator and the denominator to reduce the final answer to lowest
terms.

10 15 2●5 3 ●5 25
● = ● =
21 8 3● 7 2 ●4 28

x2 −4 x−5 x2 −5 x +6
Example 4. Find the product of and 2 .
x 2−3 x +2 x −3 x −10

Solution.

Express the numerators and denominators of the two rational

expressions into their prime factors. Multiply and simplify out common
Definition.

Let f and g be functions.

1. Their sum, denoted by f +g , is the function denoted by

factors in the numerator and the denominator to reduce the final
( f +answer
g )( x )=fto( xlowest
)+ g ( x) terms. Note the similarity in the process between this
example and the previous one on fractions.
2. Their difference, denoted byf −g , is the function denoted by

( f −g ) ( x )=f ( x )−g(x )
x2 −4 x−5 x2 −5 x +6 ( x+ 1)( x−5) (x−2)(x−3)
● = ●
x 2−3 x +2 x2 −3 x−10 (x−1)( x−2) ( x−5)(x +2)
3. Their product, denoted by f ● g , is the function denoted by
( x+1 ) ( x−3 )
¿ ●
( f ● g )( x )=f ( x ) ● g(x ) ( x −1 ) ( x+ 2 )

f x 2−2 x−3
4. Their quotient, denoted by , is the function
¿ denoted by
g x2 + x−2

f f ( x)
( ) ( x )=
RECALL:g Division g (x)
, excluding the values of x where g ( x )=0.

To divide two fractions or rational expressions, multiply the dividend with the
reciprocal of the divisor.

2 x 2+ x −6 x 2−2 x−8
Example 5. Divide and
2 x 2 +7 x+5 2 x 2−3 x−20

Solution:

2 x 2+ x −6 x 2−2 x−8 2 x 2+ x −6 2 x 2−3 x−20

÷ = ● 2
2 x 2 +7 x+5 2 x 2−3 x−20 2 x 2 +7 x+5 x −2 x−8

(2 x−3)(x+ 2) (2 x +5)( x−4 )

¿ ●
(2 x+ 5)(x +1) ( x +2)(x−4)

(2 x−3)
¿
( x +1)

Use the following functions below for Example 5

 f ( x )=x +3
 p ( x ) =2 x−7
 v ( x )=x 2 +5 x + 4
 g ( x )=x 2+2 x−8
 x+7
 h ( x )=
2−x
x +2
 t ( x )=
x+ 3
Example 6. Determine the following functions.

a) ( v+ g)(x )
b) ( f ● p )( x )
c) ( f + h) ( x)
d) ( p−f )(x)
v
e) ()
g
(x)

Solution:

a. ( v+ g )( x )=( x¿ ¿2+5 x +4 )+(x 2+ 2 x−8) ¿

¿ x 2+5 x +4 + x 2+ 2 x−8
¿ 2 x2 +7 x−4

b. ( f ● p )( x )=( x +3 ) ( 2 x−7 )=2 x 2−x−21

x +7
c. ( f + h ) ( x ) =( x+3 )+
2−x
( x +3)(2−x) x+7 ( x +3 ) ( 2−x ) + x+ 7
¿ + =
2−x 2−x 2−x

6−x−x 2 + x +7 13−x 2 x 2−13

¿ = =
2−x 2−x x−2

d. ( p−f ) ( x )=( 2 x−7 )−( x +3 )=2 x−7−x−3=x−10

v ( ) x 2 +5 x+ 4 ( x+ 1 )( x +4 ) ( x+ 1 )
e. ()
g
x= 2 = =
x +2 x−8 ( x−2 ) ( x + 4 ) ( x−2 )

Applying operations on functions may be quite confusing but as soon as you fully
learn the concept, you can derive strategies to simplify functions easily.

For further understanding on this lesson, watch the video using the link below,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIbAiPUrtvQ
 Definition.
Let f and g be functions.
The composite function denoted by ( f ○ g) is defined by

( f ○ g) ( x )=f (g ( x ) ).

For examples 7 to 10, use the following functions:

2 x +1
f ( x )=2 x +1 g ( x )=√ x+1 p ( x) =
x−1

q ( x )=x 2−2 x +2 F ( x )=⌊ x ⌋ +1

Example 7: Find and simplify ( g ○ f )( x )

Solution:

( g ○ f ) ( x )=g ( 2 x +1 )= √2 x+1+1=√ 2 x +2

Example 8: Find and simplify q ○ f ( x )

Solution:

(q ○ f ) ( x )= ( 2 x +1 )2−2 ( 2 x +1 ) +2

¿ 4 x2 + 4 x+ 1−4 x−2+2

¿ 4 x2 +1

Example 9: Find and simplify ( f ○ p)(x )

Solution:

( f ○ p) ( x )=2 ( 2x−1
x +1
)+1
( 4 x +2 ) +(x−1) 5 x +1
¿ =
x−1 x−1

Example 10: Find and simplify ( F ○ p)(5)

Solution:
 2 ( 5 ) +1 11
( F ○ p) ( 5 )=⌊ ⌋ +1= +1=2+1=3
5−1 4

PROBLEMS INVOLVING FUNCTIONS

Example 11

Suppose that N ( x )=x denotes the number of shirts sold by a shop, and the
selling price per shirt is given by p(x )=250 – 5 x , for 0 ≤ x ≤ 20. Find ( N ● p)( x)
and describe what it represents.

Solution:

( N ● p ) ( x ) =N ( x ) ● p ( x )= x ( 250 – 5 x )=250 x−5 x 2,0 ≤ x ≤ 20. Since this function is

the product of the quantity sold and the selling price, then ( N ● p) ( x )
represents the revenue earned by the company.

Example 12

A spherical balloon is being inflated. Let r (t )=3 t cm represent its radius at

4 3
timet seconds, and let g(r )= π r be the volume of the same balloon if its
3
radius is r. Write ( g ○r ) in terms of t , and describe what it represents.

Solution:

( g ○r )=g ¿ This function represents the volume of the

balloon at time t seconds.