Functions
Linear Functions & and inverse functions
Function:
• a function is an operation or
series of operations that
transforms a set of numbers into
a different set.
• The function is the machine inside
the box and it's defined by what it
does to whatever you put into
it. Function Machine: A function f
takes an input x and returns an
output f(x) . One metaphor describes
the function as a “machine”, that
for each input returns a
corresponding output.
Function machine:
The order of operations in any function machine is very important and would
make a huge difference in the values of output, check the following examples:
x 3x 3x + 8 x x+8 3(x + 8)
Input x3 +8 Output Input +8 X3 Output
Input Output Input Output
5 23 5 39
7 29 7 45
11 41 4 36
1/ 9
3 17 75
x 3x + 8 x 3(x+8
)
Functions
Input x3 +8 Output
f(x) = 3x + 8
This is the mathematical The f(x)
notation for the function abovef(x) = 3x + 8 notation can be
You will be used to describe
more familiar more things –
with this you will notice
notation this over the
next few
This means ‘a These are the lessons
function of x’ We operations we carry
have a set of out on the inputs. In
‘operations’ to carry this case it is y = 3x + 8
out on the inputs ‘Multiply by 3, then
add 8’
Functions
Input +5 x4 -1 ÷2 Output
This is the mathematical f(x) = 4(x + 5) –
notation for the function above
1 2
This means ‘a These are the operations
function of x’ We we carry out on the
have a set of inputs. In this case it is
‘operations’ to carry ‘add 5, multiply by 4,
out on the inputs subtract 1 and then
divide by 2’
Functions
• Now we can look at some questions on functions
If f(x) = 5x + 7, calculate the value of f(7)
This is telling us This notation tells us
the function to to replace ‘x’ with ‘7’
use
f(x) = 5x + 7
Replace ‘x’ with
‘7’
f(7) = 5(7) + 7
Calculate
f(7) = 42
Functions
If f(x) = 2x2 – 6x, calculate the value of f(-1)
This is telling us This notation tells us to
the function to replace ‘x’ terms with ‘-
use 1’
f(x) = 2x2 – 6x Replace ‘x’ terms with ‘-1’
You may use a calculator but ensure you type it
in correctly (including brackets!)
f(-1) = 2(-1)2 – 6(-1)
Calculate
f(-1) = 8
Functions
If f(x) = 8x – 7, calculate the value of x when f(x) = 45
This is asking us to find the input
(x) when the output is equal to 45’
This is telling us
the function to
use
f(x) = 8x - 7
We need to find the value of x that makes this equal to
45
45 = 8x - 7 Replace f(x) with 45
Add 7
So an input of 6.5 will
52 = 8x give an output of 45!
Divide by 8
Make sure you always think about the
6.5 = x notation so you know what you’re being
Inverse Functions:
• Every operation has an ‘opposite’, for example the
opposite of addition is subtraction
• The inverse of a function is the function that will ‘undo’
it and return you to the input
• Effectively, you can think of it as a function machine,
but in the opposite order
Inverse Functions
For simple functions, you can use the idea of a ‘function machine’
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =𝑥 +7 𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=3 𝑥
As a ‘function As a ‘function
machine’, f(x) would machine’, g(x) would
look like this look like this
Input +7 Output Input x3 Output
Input -7 Output Input ÷3 Output
𝑓
−1
( 𝑥 ) =𝑥 −7 −1 𝑥
𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=
3
f-1(x) means ‘the
inverse function g-1(x) means ‘the
of f(x) inverse function
of g(x)
Inverse Functions
For simple functions, you can use the idea of a ‘function machine’
𝑥 +4
( )
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑔 ( 𝑥 )=5 ( 𝑥+1)
2
As a ‘function As a ‘function
machine’, f(x) would machine’, g(x)
look like this would look like this
Input +4 ÷2 Output Input +1 x5 Output
Input -4 x2 Output Input -1 ÷5 Output
−1 𝑥
𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) =2 𝑥 − 4 𝑔
−1
( 𝑥 )= −1
5
