CHAPTER THREE

RELATIONS AND FUNCTIONS

1.1 RELATIONS

Definition: A relation is a set whose elements are ordered pairs.

It is the way things are related. Usually we relate things using relating phrases

like: “is smaller than”, “is greater than”, “is a multiple of”, “ is a factor of”, “is a

father of”, … etc

Definition: Given two non-empty sets A and B the set of ordered pairs R such that

𝑅 ⊆ 𝐴 × 𝐵 is called a relation from A to B.

Definition: Given a non-empty set A the set of ordered pairs R such that 𝑅 ⊆ 𝐴 × 𝐴

is called a relation from A to A. That is, if 𝑅 ⊆ 𝐴 × 𝐴, then R is a relation on set A.

Example: 1) Let 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4} 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = {1, 3, 5}. Then

a) Is 𝑅1 = {(1, 3), (1, 5), (2, 3), (2, 5), (3, 5), (4, 5)} a relation from A to B? Why?

b) Is 𝑅2 = {(1, 1), (2, 1), (3, 1), (4, 1), (4, 3)} a relation from B to A? Why?

2) If 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4}, 𝑅1 = {(1, 2), (1, 3 ), (3, 3)},

𝑅2 = {(1, 1), (1, 2), (1, 3), (2, 2), (2, 3), (3, 3) } and 𝑅3 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 + 𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑑𝑑}.

Then are 𝑅1, 𝑅2 and 𝑅3 relations on A? Why?

DOMAIN AND RANGE OF A RELATION

Domain of a relation R is the set of all first coordinates of elements of R. That is,
𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑅 = {𝑥∶ (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑦}

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Range of a relation R is the set of all second coordinates of elements of R. That is,
𝑅𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑅 = {𝑦∶ (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑥}

Example:

1) Let 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} and 𝐵 = {2, 4, 6, 8}. If R is a relation from A to B such

that 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4}. Then

i) a. List all elements of the relation R b. Find the domain and range of R

ii) Suppose the relation R is the relation from B to A, then

a. List all elements of R. b. Find the domain and range of R.

2) Let 𝐴 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠. If R is a relation on A such that

𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 10} . Then find

a. All elements of R b. The domain and range of R

3) Let 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 < 5 − 2𝑥}.

a. If (1, 𝑘) ∈ 𝑅 , the find the value of k

b. If (−𝑘 + 1, 3) and (1, 2𝑘 − 7) belong to R, then determine the value of k

4) Let 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ {1, 2, 3, 4} 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥𝑦 ∈ {5, 6, 7, 8}}. Then

a. List all elements of R b. Find the domain and range of R.

5) Find the domain of

1
a. 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = √𝑥 − 9} b. 𝑅 = (𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = c. 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 𝑥2 − 1}
𝑥+4

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TYPES OF RELATION

Let R be a relation such that 𝑅 ⊆ (𝐴 × 𝐴). Then R is said to be

1) Reflexive, if (𝑥, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅 ∀ 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴.

Example: Show that 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ |𝑥 − 𝑦| ≤ 0 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝐴} is a reflexive relation.

Proof: ∀ 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴, 𝑤𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 (𝑥, 𝑥) ∈ 𝐴.

∀ 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴, |𝑥 − 𝑥| ≤ 0. Hence, (𝑥, 𝑥) ∈ 𝐴.

Therefore, R is a reflexive.

2) Symmetric, if (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅, then (𝑦, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅 ∀ 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝐴 .

Example: Show that 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠} is

a symmetric relation.

Proof: Let (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅. Now we want to show that (𝑦, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅.

⟹ x is the brother of y

⟹ y is the brother of x

⟹ (𝑦, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅

Hence, R is a symmetric relation.

3) Transitive, if (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 and (𝑦, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅, then (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅.

Example: Show that 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑟𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑦} is a transitive relation.

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Proof: Let (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 and (𝑦, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅. We want to show that (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅.

⟹ x is congruent to y and y is congruent to z

⟹𝑥≡𝑦≡𝑧

⟹𝑥≡𝑧

⟹ (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅

Therefore, R is a transitive.

4) Equivalence, if it is reflexive, symmetric and transitive at the same time.

Example: Show that 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥 − 𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝑍} is

equivalence relation

Proof: We want to show that, R is reflexive, symmetric and transitive.

a) 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 0 = 2(0) ⟹ (𝑥, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅
⟹ 𝑅 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑣𝑒.
b) 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 2𝑘1 ⟹ 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 2(−𝑘1 ) 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑘1 ∈ 𝑍
⟹ (𝑦, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅 ⟹ 𝑅 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐.

c) 𝐿𝑒𝑡(𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑦, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅 , WTS: (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅

⟹ 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 2𝑘1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 2𝑘2 ⟹ 𝑥 − 𝑦 + 𝑦 − 𝑧 = 2(𝑘1 + 𝑘2)
𝑥 − 𝑧 = 2𝑘3 ⟹ (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅
⟹ 𝑅 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒.

Hence, R is an equivalence relation.

5) Ant-symmetric, if (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 and (𝑦, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅 , then x=y.

Example: Show that 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 1} is anti-symmetric

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Proof: Let (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑦, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅. We want to show that: 𝑥 = 𝑦

⟹ 𝑥 − 𝑦 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 − 𝑥 = 1

⟹𝑥−𝑦 =𝑦−𝑥

⟹ 2𝑥 = 2𝑦

⟹𝑥=𝑦

Thus, R 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖 − 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐.

GRAPH OF A RELATION

Note: While you are sketching the graph of a relation,

 Identify the boundaries of the given relation.

 Sketch a solid boundary line if the relating phrase is either ≤ or ≥, and a

broken boundary line if the relating phrase is either < or >.

 Take a testing point either below or above the oblique or horizontal

boundary line or to the left or to the right of the vertical boundary line to

represent the relation by a region either below or above the boundary lines

or to the left or to the right of the vertical boundary line.

 The relation can be shown by shading the region either above or below the

boundary line. If any order pair above the boundary line satisfies the

relation, then the relation will be shown by shading above the boundary line.

Otherwise, it will be shown by shading below the boundary line. If any order

pair to the right of the boundary line satisfies the relation, then the

relation will be shown by shading to the right of the boundary line.

Otherwise, it will be shown by shading to the left of the boundary line.

 The broken line shows the boundary line is not included in the region of the

relation.

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Example: Sketch the graph of each of the following relations and determine the

domain and range of each relation.

a. 𝑅1 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 < 𝑥 + 2, 𝑦 > −𝑥 − 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 < 4}

b. 𝑅2 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 ≥ 𝑥2 − 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 ≤ 6}
c. 𝑅3 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 > 𝑥2 − 7𝑥 + 12 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 < 𝑥 + 12}
d. 𝑅4 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 ≤ 3 − 𝑥2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 ≥ 2|𝑥|}

DETERMINATION OF THE FORMULA OF A RELATION SPECIFIED BY A GRAPH

Example: Find the formula which describes the relation graphed below, and find the domain and
range.

a) b) c)

-2 6 𝑦 = −4

𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 6

Note: While you are determining the formula of a relation specified by a graph,

change the equality sign to

 <, if the region of the relation is below or to the left of the broken boundary line

 ≤, if the region of the relation is below or to the left of the solid boundary line

 >, if the region of the relation is above or to the right of the broken boundary line

 ≥, if the region of the relation is above or to the right of the solid boundary line

INVERSE RELATIONS AND THEIR GRAPHS

Definition: The inverse of a relation R is the relation denoted by 𝑅−1 and is

obtained by interchanging the coordinates of each ordered pairs of R.

Thus, the inverse of R is written as 𝑅−1 = {(𝑦, 𝑥)∶ (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅}.

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Example: Find the inverse of each of the following relations.

a) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 2} c) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 9}

b) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 4} d) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 > 𝑥}

Definition: Given a relation R from A to B then the inverse of R denoted by 𝑅−1 is

the relation from B to A such that 𝑅−1 = {(𝑦 , 𝑥)∶ (𝑥 , 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅}.

Note: 1. 𝑅−1 can be taken simply by reversing the coordinates of the order pairs of

R. That is, if (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 (𝑦, 𝑥) ∈ 𝑅−1.

2. The inverse of a relation is also a relation.

Example:

1) Let 𝐴 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8} and 𝐵 = {2, 4, 6, 8}. If R is a relation from A to B such

that 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4}, then

a. Find the domain and range of R.

b. List all elements of 𝑅−1.

c. Find the domain and range of 𝑅−1.

2) Let 𝐴 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠. If R is a relation on set A such that

𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 10}, then

a. Find the domain and range of R

b. Find the domain and range of 𝑅−1.

3) Let 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 2𝑥 − 3𝑦 > 3}. Then find the points that satisfy the relation 𝑅−1.

4) Let 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 ≥ 𝑥2 − 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 ≤ 5}. Then find the domain and range of 𝑅−1.

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Note: 1. Domain of R is equal to the range of 𝑅−1.

2. Range of R is equal to the domain of 𝑅−1.

3. (𝑅−1)−1 = 𝑅

GRAPH OF INVERSE RELATIONS

Example: Draw the graph of the inverse of each of the following relations.

a) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 ≥ 𝑥2} d) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 1, 𝑦 ≤ 𝑥 − 1𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≤ 5}

b) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 > 𝑥} e) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 > 𝑥 − 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 ≤ −𝑥}

c) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 > 𝑥2 + 1 } f) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 < −𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 > 2}

Solution:

a) b)

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2.2 FUNCTIONS

Definition: A function is a set of ordered pairs where no two ordered pairs have

the same first component with different second components. That is, a relation R

is called a function if and only if whenever (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 = 𝑧.

Example: Consider the following relations

a) 𝑅 = {(1,1), (2,2), (3,3)} is a function since no two elements of the relation have equal

first coordinates.

b) 𝑅 = {(3,2), (4,6), (3,5), (0,0)} is not a function since (3,2) ∈ 𝑅 and (3,5) ∈ 𝑅 but 2 ≠ 5.

c) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑚𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑥} is a function because no person has more than one

mother.

d) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓𝑦 } is not a function because a person can have more than

one child.

e) 𝑅 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑥 = 𝑦2} is not a function because there are several ordered pairs of the

form (9,3), (9,-3), (4, 2), (4,-2),. . ., etc. such that one element of first coordinate is

mapped to two element of second coordinate.

Definition: Let A and B be two non-empty sets. A function f from A to B written as

𝑓∶ 𝐴 → 𝐵 is a relation satisfying the condition (𝑥, 𝑦), (𝑥, 𝑧) ∈ 𝑅, ⟹ 𝑦 = 𝑧.

GRAPHS OF FUNCTIONS AND VERTICAL LINE TEST

Example: Draw the graph of

2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < −5
𝑥 + 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 10
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 1 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = { 𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 − 5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3 c) 𝑓(𝑥) = {
−2𝑥 + 3, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 10
−2, 𝑖𝑓𝑥 > 3

Vertical Line Test: A set of points in the Cartesian coordinate plane is the graph

of a function if and only if no vertical line intersects the set of points more than

once. If a vertical line intersects the graph of a relation more than once, then the

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relation is not a function. That is, a graph of a relation represents a function if and

only if no vertical line intersects the graph more than once.

Example: Which of the following graphs represents the graph of a function?

a) b) c)

d e) f)

NOTATIONS ON FUNCTIONS

Note: If x is an element in the domain of a function f, then the element in the

range that f associated with x is denoted by the symbol 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦 and is called the

image of x under the function f. The image is also referred as the value of f at x.

4𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓𝑥 ≥ −5
2𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 3
Example: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥|, 𝑔(𝑥) = {1 − 5𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ(𝑥) = {1 − 𝑥 2, 𝑖𝑓 − 10 ≤ 𝑥 < −5
3, 𝑖𝑓 − 13 ≤ 𝑥 < −10

Then find

a) f(3), f(5), f(-2), domain and range of f.

b) g(1), g(-5), g(-6), g(-10), g(-12), g(-13), g(-20), g(100) and domain of g.

c) h(3), f(1.5) and f(50)

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EQUAL FUNCTIONS

Definition: Two functions f and g are said to be equal if they have the same domain

and if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) for all x in their domain.

Definition: For two non-empty sets A and B, a function 𝑓∶ 𝐴 → 𝐵 and 𝑔∶ 𝐴 → 𝐵 are

equal if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴.

Example:

1) 𝑥2−4
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = are not equal functions because they have
𝑥−2

different domains.

𝑥2−16
2) For any real number 𝑥 > 4, the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = are equal
𝑥−4

functions because they have the same domain and they have the same functional

value.

3) 𝑥3+2𝑥2+𝑥+2
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = are equal functions because they have the
𝑥 2 +1

same domain and the same functional value.

PROPERTIES OF FUNCTIONS

i) Even and Odd Functions

Definition: Let 𝑆 ⊆ ℜ. Then we say that S is symmetric set if and only if

−𝑥 ∈ 𝑆 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑥 ∈ 𝑆.

Definition: A function f is said to be even if and only if its domain is symmetric set

and 𝑓(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) for each x in its domain.

Example: Which one of the following functions is an even function?

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 |𝑥|
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 − 7 c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 4𝑥 + 6 d) ℎ(𝑥) =
𝑥 2 −4

Definition: A function f is said to be odd if and only if its domain is a symmetric

set and 𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥) for all x in its domain.

Example: Which one of the following functions is an odd function?

𝑥
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 6 b) 𝑔(𝑥) = −12𝑥3 c) ℎ(𝑥) = d) 𝑟(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 𝑥
𝑥 2 −4

Note: The graph of an even function is symmetric with respect to the y-axis and

the graph of an odd function is symmetric with respect to the origin.

Example: Which one of the following graphs represents the graph of even or odd

function?

a) b)

INCREASING AND DECREASING FUNCTIONS

Definition: Let I be an interval contained in the domain of f. Then,

1) A function f is said to be an increasing function on an interval I, provided that

for any numbers 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐼, and 𝑎 < 𝑏, the inequality 𝑓(𝑎) < 𝑓(𝑏) holds true.

 A function whose graph rises from left to right throughout its domain is

called an increasing function.

 A function is said to be an increasing function on an interval I if its graph

always rises as you move from left to right in the interval.

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2) A function f is said to be a decreasing function on an open interval I, provided that for

any numbers 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐼 and 𝑎 < 𝑏, the inequality 𝑓(𝑏) < 𝑓(𝑎) holds true.

 A function whose graph falls from left to right throughout its domain is called a

decreasing function.

 A function is said to be a decreasing function on an interval I if its graph always

falls as you move from left to right in the interval.

f(b) g(b)

f(a) g(a)

a b a b

In the figure given above, f is an increasing function and g is a decreasing function.

Example: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 9 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥2 + 4. Then find the largest interval on which

a) f is increasing b) f is decreasing c) g is increasing d) g is decreasing

Solution: a) b) 4

-3 3 -2 2

-9

From the graphs of f and g,

 f is a function increasing on [0, ∞) and decreasing on (−∞, 0]

 g is a function increasing on (−∞, 0] and decreasing on [0, ∞)

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Example: Given the graph of a function f, find the interval (s) on which

a) f is increasing b) f is decreasing

-2 1 3 4

Solution: From the graph of f given above,

 f is increasing on (−∞, −2], [1, 3] and [4, ∞)

 f is decreasing on [−2, 1] and [3, 4]

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

one to one function.

TYPES OF FUNCTIONS

i) One-to-one (Injective) Functions

Definition: A function 𝑓∶ 𝐴 ⟶ 𝐵 is said to be one-to-one if and only if distinct

elements in the domain have distinct images. That is, a function 𝑓∶ 𝐴 ⟶ 𝐵 is one-

to-one if for 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝐴, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑦), 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑦) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑥 ≠ 𝑦.

Horizontal line test: A graph of a function represents a one-to-one function if

and only if no horizontal straight line intersects the graph more than once.

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ii) Onto (Surjective) Function

Definition: A function 𝑓∶ 𝐴 ⟶ 𝐵 is said to be onto if and only if for every 𝑦 ∈ 𝐵

there exist 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦. That is, a function 𝑓∶ 𝐴 ⟶ 𝐵 is onto if and only

if the range of f is B.

iii) One-to-one Correspondence

Definition: A function 𝑓∶ 𝐴 ⟶ 𝐵 is said to be one-to-one correspondence if it is

both one-to-one and onto function.

Example: 1) Show that each of the following is a one-to-one function

1
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = −3𝑥 + 1 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − c) 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 − 7
2

2) Show that each of the following is a one-to-one function.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 1 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 𝑥 + 3
2

3) Let 𝐴 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4} 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = {0, 3, 6, 9, 12}. Suppose 𝑓∶ 𝐴 ⟶ 𝐵 is given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥

for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴. Then show that f is a one-to-one correspondence between A and B.

4) Use a horizontal line test to determine whether the functions graphed below are

one-to-one or not.

a) b) c) d)

INVERSE FUNCTIONS AND THEIR GRAPHS

The inverse of a function f denoted by 𝑓−1 is given by the formula 𝑓−1 =

{(𝑦, 𝑥)∶ (𝑥, 𝑦) ∈ 𝑓}. Like relations, the inverse of a function can be obtained by

reversing the ordered pairs of the function.

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Example:

1) The inverse of the function 𝑓 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1} is given by

𝑓−1 = {(𝑦, 𝑥)∶ 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1} or 𝑓−1 = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1}.

2) Find the inverse of each of the following functions.

a) 𝑥+1 𝑥2+1
𝑓(𝑥) = {(𝑥, 𝑦)∶ 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 5} b) 𝑓(𝑥) = c) 𝑓(𝑥) =
3𝑥+4 𝑥 2 −1

3) Draw the graph of each function and its inverse using the same coordinate axis.

a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 c) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥ 0

COMBINATIONS AND COMPOSITIONS OF FUNCTIONS

i) Combination of Functions
𝑓
Definition: Let f and g be real valued functions. Then 𝑓 + 𝑔, 𝑓 − 𝑔, 𝑓𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 are
g

defined as follows:

1. 𝑓 + 𝑔 = (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)

2. 𝑓 − 𝑔 = (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)
3. 𝑓. 𝑔 = (𝑓. 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥). 𝑔(𝑥)
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
4. 𝑓 = ( ) (𝑥) = ; 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
g g g(𝑥)

Note: A function 𝑓∶ 𝐴 ⟶ 𝐵 is said to be a real valued function of real variables if

𝐴 ⊆ ℝ and 𝐵 ⊆ ℝ.

Example:
𝑓
1) Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓 + 𝑔, 𝑓 − 𝑔, 𝑓. 𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 .
g

2) If 𝑓 = {(1,3), (2,4), (5,7), (8,9)} 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔 = {(1,4), (2,0), (3,5), (8,1)}, then find 𝑓 + 𝑔,
𝑓
𝑓 − 𝑔, 𝑓. 𝑔 , , 3𝑓, −2𝑔(8) and their respective domain.
g

−𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 1
√4 − 𝑥2, 𝑖𝑓 |𝑥| ≤ 2
3) Let 𝑓(𝑥) = {𝑥2, 𝑖𝑓 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = { . Then find
2𝑥 + 3, 𝑖𝑓 |𝑥| >2
𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
𝑓
a. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(3) b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(2) c. (𝑓. 𝑔)(1) d. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(−1) e. ( ) (0)
g

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ii) Composition of Functions

Definition: Let f and g be functions. The composition of f with g denoted by fog is

defined as (𝑓𝑜𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))

Example:

1) Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 − 𝑥 + 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥2 − 10, then find

a. (𝑓𝑜𝑔)(2) b. (𝑔𝑜𝑓)(2) c. (𝑓𝑜𝑔)(𝑥) d. (𝑔𝑜𝑓)(𝑥)

2) If 𝑓 = {(1, −1), (2,3), (−1,1), (3,2)} and 𝑔 = {(−1,2), (1,5), (2,4), (3, −1)}, then find

a. 𝑔𝑜𝑓 b. 𝑓𝑜𝑓 c. 𝑓𝑜𝑔 d. 𝑔𝑜𝑔

3) If 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 6𝑥 + 9, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥).

4) If 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = −6𝑥 + 4, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥).

5) If 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 8𝑥2 + 10𝑥 − 11, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑔(𝑥).

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