CALCULUS 1

Dr. THUC PHUNG TRONG

University of Technology–VNU Vietnam

Course description
In this course, we will study:
▸ Functions of one variable.
▸ Limits and the continuity of a function.
▸ The derivative of a function and its applications.
▸ Midterm exam (20%).
▸ Integrals and improper integrals.
▸ Differential equations.
▸ Final exam (60%).

We will have a small project (using mathematical software) (20%)

at the end of this course.

This course focuses on the practical aspect rather than the theoretical
one. Some lengthy proofs will be skipped.
Course description

Textbooks:
▸ Calculus by James Stewart.
▸ My online material on the E-learning webpage.
Course description

Some remarks:
▸ Students are strongly encouraged to go to class.
▸ You are encouraged to ask questions related to this course.
▸ My e-mail address: ptrongthuc@hcmut.edu.vn
Functions of one variable

Functions of one variable

Functions of one variable

Functions of one variable

You are probably familiar with some functions during your high school
study. For example

f (x) = sin (x) , or g (x) = ln (x 2 + 1) .

The aim of this section is to recall some facts that have been taught
during high school, along with the introduction of some new func-
tions, like f (x) = arcsin (x) or g (x) = cosh (x).
Functions of one variable

Functions of one variable

When talking about functions, it is necessary to know where a func-
tion is well-defined. For example,
▸ the function f (x) = x 2 is well-defined everywhere, for any x ∈ R.
π
▸ However, g (x) = tan (x) is only well-defined for x ≠ 2 + kπ,
k ∈ Z.
Functions of one variable

Functions of one variable

When talking about functions, it is necessary to know where a func-
tion is well-defined. For example,
▸ the function f (x) = x 2 is well-defined everywhere, for any x ∈ R.
π
▸ However, g (x) = tan (x) is only well-defined for x ≠ 2 + kπ,
k ∈ Z.

Domain of a function is the set in which the function is well-defined.

Functions of one variable

Functions of one variable

When talking about functions, it is necessary to know where a func-
tion is well-defined. For example,
▸ the function f (x) = x 2 is well-defined everywhere, for any x ∈ R.
π
▸ However, g (x) = tan (x) is only well-defined for x ≠ 2 + kπ,
k ∈ Z.

Domain of a function is the set in which the function is well-defined.

Exercise √
Find the domain of the function f (x) = ln ( 1 − x 2 ).
Functions of one variable

Domain of a function is the set in which the function is well-defined.

Exercise √
Find the domain of the function f (x) = ln ( 1 − x 2 ).

Answer √
In order to make sense this function, we need 1 − x 2 > 0. Thus
1 − x 2 > 0, that is x ∈ (−1, 1) .
Functions of one variable

Range of a function is the image of its domain through the function.

Example
√
Let’s consider f (x) = 2 + x − 1.
Functions of one variable

Range of a function is the image of its domain through the function.

Example
√
Let’s consider f (x) = 2 + x − 1.
▸ Domain: [1, +∞).
▸ Range:
√
{f (x) ∶ x in the domain} = {2 + x − 1 ∶ x ∈ [1, +∞)}
= [2, +∞) .

The
√ last equality follows by√the fact: if x ∈ [1, +∞) then
x − 1 ∈ [0, +∞), hence 2 + x − 1 ∈ [2, +∞).
Functions of one variable

Exercise √
Find the domain and range of f (x) = 2 + 1 − x.
Functions of one variable

Exercise √
Find the domain and range of f (x) = 2 + 1 − x.

Answer
▸ Domain: (−∞, 1].
▸ Range: [2, +∞).
Functions of one variable

Some terminologies
Functions of one variable
Some terminologies

A function f is said to be increasing on an interval (a, b) if

f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) whenever a < x1 < x2 < b.

f (x)

x
a x1 x2 b
Functions of one variable
Some terminologies

A function f is said to be decreasing on an interval (c, d) if

f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) whenever c < x1 < x2 < d.

f (x)

x
c x1 x2 d
Functions of one variable
Urban population and rural population of the world, 1950-2050
Population (millions)

7000
Urban population
6000

5000

4000
Rural population
3000

2000

1000

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Source: United Nations 2008.
Functions of one variable
Urban population and rural population of the world, 1950-2050
Population (millions)
Exercise Write three sentences to provide an overview
7000 for this figure.
Urban population
6000

5000

4000
Rural population
3000

2000

1000

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Source: United Nations 2008.
Functions of one variable
Some terminologies
A function f is said to be even if

f (−a) = f (a) ,

for any a and −a in the domain of f .

y

f (x)

0
x
−a a
Functions of one variable
A function f is said to be odd if

f (−a) = −f (a) ,
y
for any a and −a in the domain of f .

f (x)

0 a
x
−a
Functions of one variable

Exercise
Determine whether the following functions are odd or even:
e x − e −x
1. f (x) = .
2
e x + e −x
2. g (x) = .
2
Functions of one variable

Exercise
Determine whether the following functions are odd or even:
e x − e −x
1. f (x) = .
2
Answer.
e −a − e a e a − e −a
f (−a) = = −( ) = −f (a) .
2 2

So f is odd.
e x + e −x
2. g (x) = .
2
Answer.
e −a + e a
g (−a) = = g (a) .
2
So g is even.
Functions of one variable

Notation
In mathematics, we denote
e x + e −x
cosh (x) ∶= (read as: hyperbolic cosine),
2

e x − e −x
sinh (x) ∶= (read as: hyperbolic sine).
2
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

We often see functions like

f (x) = sin (x + 1) + log2 (x 2 + 1) or g (x) = e x−1 − tan (x) .

Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

We often see functions like

f (x) = sin (x + 1) + log2 (x 2 + 1) or g (x) = e x−1 − tan (x) .

Nevertheless, in reality we may encounter a function defined by com-

bining many sub-functions. For example,

⎧
⎪
⎪x 2 − ln (x − 1) if x > 1,
⎪
⎪
f (x) = ⎨x + 2 if − 2 ≤ x ≤ 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩cos (x)
⎪ if x < −2.
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

We often see functions like

f (x) = sin (x + 1) + log2 (x 2 + 1) or g (x) = e x−1 − tan (x) .

Nevertheless, in reality we may encounter a function defined by com-

bining many sub-functions. For example,

⎧
⎪
⎪x 2 − ln (x − 1) if x > 1,
⎪
⎪
f (x) = ⎨x + 2 if − 2 ≤ x ≤ 1,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩cos (x)
⎪ if x < −2.

We call this type of function piecewise functions.

Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Example. Draw the graph of the piecewise function
⎧
⎪x 2
⎪ if − 1 < x < 1,
f (x) = ⎨
⎩x
⎪
⎪ if 1 ≤ x < 2.
Functions of one variable
Example. Draw the graph of the piecewise function
⎧
⎪x 2
⎪ if − 1 < x < 1,
f (x) = ⎨
⎩x
⎪
⎪ if 1 ≤ x < 2.

0
x
−1 1 2
Functions of one variable
Example. Draw the graph of the piecewise function
⎧
⎪x 2
⎪ if − 1 < x < 1,
f (x) = ⎨
⎩x
⎪
⎪ if 1 ≤ x < 2.

f (x)

0
x
−1 1 2
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Example. Draw the graph of the piecewise function
⎧
⎪x 2
⎪ if − 1 < x < 1,
f (x) = ⎨
⎩2x if 1 ≤ x < 2.
⎪
⎪
Functions of one variable
Example. Draw the graph of the piecewise function
⎧
⎪x 2
⎪ if − 1 < x < 1,
f (x) = ⎨
⎩2x if 1 ≤ x < 2.
⎪
⎪

0 f (x)
x
−1 1 2
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Assume that you have two functions f (x) and g (x). Then you can
create a new function h (x) from these by setting

h (x) ∶= f (g (x)) .
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Assume that you have two functions f (x) and g (x). Then you can
create a new function h (x) from these by setting

h (x) ∶= f (g (x)) .

Example
If f (x) = x 2 + x and g (x) = sin (x − 1), then

h (x) = f (g (x)) = f (sin (x − 1)) = sin2 (x − 1) + sin (x − 1) .

Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Assume that you have two functions f (x) and g (x). Then you can
create a new function h (x) from these by setting

h (x) ∶= f (g (x)) .

Example
If f (x) = x 2 + x and g (x) = sin (x − 1), then

h (x) = f (g (x)) = f (sin (x − 1)) = sin2 (x − 1) + sin (x − 1) .

The function h created in this way will be called the composite

function of f and g , denoted by f ○ g .
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Assume that you have two functions f (x) and g (x). Then you can
create a new function from these by setting

(f ○ g ) (x) ∶= f (g (x)) .

Exercise
Let
1
f (x) = and g (x) = x − 1.
x2 +1
Find f ○ g and g ○ f .
Functions of one variable

Exercise
Let
1
f (x) = and g (x) = x − 1.
x2 + 1
Find f ○ g and g ○ f .

Answer

1
(f ○ g ) (x) = f (g (x)) = f (x − 1) = ,
(x − 1)2 + 1

1 1
(g ○ f ) (x) = g (f (x)) = g ( )= 2 − 1.
x2 +1 x +1
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

√
Let f (x) = x 3 . What would you call the function g (x) = 3
x?
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

√
Let f (x) = x 3 . What would you call the function g (x) = 3
x?

We call g the inverse function of f .

Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

In general, given a function f (x), we define g the inverse function
of f by setting

g (x) ∶= y such that f (y ) = x.

Example
Find the inverse function of f (x) = e x−1 .
Functions of one variable
Some special ways to create new functions
In general, given a function f (x), we define g the inverse function
of f by setting

g (x) ∶= y such that f (y ) = x.

Example
Find the inverse function of f (x) = e x−1 .
Answer
In order to find g (x), we need to find y such that

f (y ) = x.

That is
e y −1 = x,
thus y −1 = ln x, so y = 1+ln x. The inverse function is g (x) = 1 + ln (x) .
Functions of one variable
Some special ways to create new functions
In general, given a function f (x), we define g the inverse function
of f by setting

g (x) ∶= y such that f (y ) = x.

Example
Find the inverse function of f (x) = e x−1 .

Answer
Remark. We often use the notation f −1 to denote the inverse
function of f .
The inverse function is

f −1 (x) = 1 + ln (x) .
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

We define the inverse function of f by setting

f −1 (x) ∶= y such that f (y ) = x.

Exercise
Let f (x) = x 5 − 1. Find f −1 (x).
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

We define the inverse function of f by setting

f −1 (x) ∶= y such that f (y ) = x.

Exercise
Let f (x) = x 5 − 1. Find f −1 (x).

Answer
Find√y such that f (y ) = x. That is, y 5 − 1 = x. We conclude that
y = 5 x + 1. Thus √
5
f −1 (x) = x + 1.
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Remark.
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = sin (x) will be denoted by
arcsin (x) .
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = cos (x) will be denoted by
arccos (x) .
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = tan (x) will be denoted by
arctan (x) .
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Remark.
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = sin (x) will be denoted by
arcsin (x) .
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = cos (x) will be denoted by
arccos (x) .
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = tan (x) will be denoted by
arctan (x) .

Example
Calculate arcsin ( 21 ).

Answer
By definition, arcsin ( 21 ) = y such that sin (y ) = 12 . What is y ?
Functions of one variable

Some special ways to create new functions

Remark.
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = sin (x) will be denoted by
arcsin (x), with the convention arcsin (x) ∈ [− π2 , π2 ].
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = cos (x) will be denoted by
arccos (x), with the convention arccos (x) ∈ [0, π].
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = tan (x) will be denoted by
arctan (x), with the convention arctan (x) ∈ (− π2 , π2 ).
Functions of one variable
Some special ways to create new functions
Remark.
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = sin (x) will be denoted by
arcsin (x), with the convention arcsin (x) ∈ [− π2 , π2 ].
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = cos (x) will be denoted by
arccos (x), with the convention arccos (x) ∈ [0, π].
▸ The inverse function of f (x) = tan (x) will be denoted by
arctan (x), with the convention arctan (x) ∈ (− π2 , π2 ).

Example. Calculate arcsin ( 12 ).

Answer
By definition, arcsin ( 21 ) = y such that sin (y ) = 12 . What is y ?
There is only one y ∈ [− π2 , π2 ] such that sin (y ) = 12 , that is y = π6 .
Thus
1 π
arcsin ( ) = .
2 6