RELATIONS AND FUNCTIONS
FUNCTION: Any relation from 𝑋 to 𝑌 in which no two different ordered pairs have the same first element is
called a function.
Let 𝐴 and 𝐵 be two non-empty sets. Then, a rule or a correspondence 𝑓 which associates to each element 𝑥
of 𝐴, a unique element, denoted by 𝑓(𝑥) of 𝐵, is called a function or mapping from 𝐴 to 𝐵 and we write
𝑓: 𝐴 → 𝐵. The element 𝑓(𝑥) of 𝐵 is called the image of 𝑥, while 𝑥 is called the pre-image of 𝑓(𝑥).
DOMAIN & RANGE OF A FUNCTION
Let 𝑓: 𝐴 → 𝐵, then 𝐴 is called the domain of 𝑓, while 𝐵 is called the co-domain of 𝑓.
Equal Functions: Two functions 𝑓 and 𝑔 are said to be equal, written as 𝑓 = 𝑔 if they have the same domain
and they satisfy the condition f(x) = g(x), for all x.
GRAPH OF A REAL FUNCTIONS
IDENTITY FUNCTION:
Suppose the real-valued function 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 by 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 for each 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 (i.e. the set of real numbers).
Such a function is called the identity function-
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DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
RANGE: R (Real Number)
CONSTANT FUNCTION:
The function 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 by 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑐, 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 where 𝑐 is a constant and each 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 is called a constant
function.
DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
RANGE: K (Any fixed Real Number)
POLYNOMIAL FUNCTION:
A function 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 is said to be polynomial function if for each 𝑥 in 𝑅, 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + ⋯ +
𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 , where 𝑛 is a non-negative integer and 𝑎0 , 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 ∈ 𝑅.
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DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
RANGE: changes according to the definition
MODULUS FUNCTION:
The function 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 defined by 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = |𝑥| for each 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 is called the modulus function.
DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
RANGE: [0, ∞)
SIGNUM FUNCTION:
−1 , 𝑥 < 0
The function f: R → R defined by, f(x) = {0 ,𝑥 = 0
1 ,𝑥 > 0
is called the signum function. The domain of this function is R and the range is the set {−1,0,1}.
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DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
RANGE: {-1, 0, 1}
GREATEST INTEGER FUNCTION:
The function 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = [𝑥], 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅 assumes the greatest integer value, less than or equal to
𝑥. Such a function is called the greatest integer function.
DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
RANGE: Z (Integer)
PROPERTIES OF GREATEST INTEGER FUNCTION
i) [𝑥] = 𝑥 holds, if 𝑥 is integer.
ii) [𝑥 + 𝐼] = [𝑥] + 𝐼, if 𝐼 is integer.
iii) [𝑥 + 𝑦] ≥ [𝑥] + [𝑦].
iv) If [𝜙(𝑥)] ≥ 𝐼, then 𝜙(𝑥) ≥ 𝐼.
v) If [𝜙(𝑥)] ≤ 𝐼, then 𝜙(𝑥) < 𝐼 + 1.
vi) [−𝑥] = −[𝑥], if 𝑥 ∈ integer.
vii) [−𝑥] = −[𝑥] − 1, if 𝑥 ∉ integer.
"It is also known as stepwise function/floor of 𝒙."
FRACTIONAL PART OF FUNCTION:
Here, {.} 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥. Thus, in 𝑦 = {𝑥}.
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𝑥 = [𝑥] + {𝑥} = 𝐼 + 𝑓; where 𝐼 = [𝑥] and 𝑓 = {𝑥}
∴ 𝑦 = {𝑥} = 𝑥 − [𝑥], where 0 ≤ {𝑥} < 1; shown as:
𝑥 {𝑥}
0≤𝑥<1 𝑥
1≤𝑥<2 𝑥−1
2≤𝑥<3 𝑥−2
−1 ≤ 𝑥 < 0 𝑥+1
−2 ≤ 𝑥 < −1 𝑥+2
Properties of fractional part of 𝒙
(i) {𝑥} = 𝑥; if 0 ≤ 𝑥 < 1
(ii) {𝑥} = 0; if 𝑥 ∈ integer.
(iii) {−𝑥} = 1 − {𝑥}; if 𝑥 ∈ integer.
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION:
An exponential function is a Mathematical function in the form 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑏 𝑥 , where " 𝑥 " is a variable and
" 𝑏 " is a constant which is called the base of the function such that b > 1.
If b > 1then -
DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
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RANGE: (0, ∞)
If b < 1then -
DOMAIN: R (Real Number)
RANGE: (0, ∞)
LOGARITHMIC FUNCTION:
If the inverse of the exponential function exists then we can represent the logarithmic function as given
below: Suppose 𝑏 > 1 is a real number such that the logarithm of 𝑎 to base 𝑏 is 𝑥 if 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑎.
The logarithm of 𝑎 to base 𝑏 can be written as log 𝑏 𝑎
DOMAIN: (0, ∞)
RANGE: R or (-∞, ∞)
PROPERTIES OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTION:
1. log 𝑒 (𝑎𝑏) = log 𝑒 𝑎 + log 𝑒 𝑏 {𝑎, 𝑏 > 0}
𝑎
2. log 𝑒 (𝑏 ) = log 𝑒 𝑎 − log 𝑒 𝑏 {𝑎, 𝑏 > 0}
3. log 𝑒 𝑎𝑚 = 𝑚log 𝑒 𝑎
{𝑎 > 0 and 𝑚 ∈ 𝑅}
4. log 𝑎 𝑎 = 1 {𝑎 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1}
1
5. log 𝑏𝑚 𝑎 = 𝑚 log 𝑏 𝑎 {𝑎, 𝑏 > 0, 𝑏 ≠ 1 and 𝑚 ∈ 𝑅}
1
6. log 𝑏 𝑎 = log 𝑏
{𝑎, 𝑏 > 0 and 𝑎, 𝑏 ≠ 1}
𝑎
log 𝑎
7. log 𝑏 𝑎 = log𝑚 𝑏
{𝑎, 𝑏 > 0 ≠ {1} and 𝑚 > 0}
𝑚
8. 𝑎log𝑎 𝑚
= 𝑚 {𝑎, 𝑚 > 0 and 𝑎 ≠ 1}
9. 𝑎log𝑐 𝑏
= 𝑏 log𝑐 𝑎
{𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 > 0 and 𝑐 ≠ 1}
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𝑥 > 𝑦, if 𝑚>1
10. If log 𝑚 𝑥 > log 𝑚 𝑦 ⇒ { {𝑚, 𝑥, 𝑦, > 0 and 𝑚 ≠ 1}
𝑥 < 𝑦, if 0 < 𝑚 < 1
⇒ log 𝑚 𝑥 > log 𝑚 𝑦 when 𝑥 > 𝑦 and 𝑚 > 1. ∣⇒ log 𝑚 𝑥 > log 𝑚 𝑦; when 𝑥 < 𝑦 and 0 < 𝑚 < 1.
11. log 𝑚 𝑎 = 𝑏 ⇒ 𝑎 = 𝑚𝑏 {𝑎, 𝑚 > 0; 𝑚 ≠ 1; 𝑏 ∈ 𝑅}
𝑎 > 𝑚𝑏 ; if 𝑚 > 1
12. log 𝑚 𝑎 > 𝑏 ⇒ {
𝑎 < 𝑚𝑏 ; if 0 < 𝑚 < 1
𝑎 < 𝑚𝑏 ; if 𝑚 > 1
13. log 𝑚 𝑎 < 𝑏 ⇒ { .
𝑎 > 𝑚𝑏 ; if 0 < 𝑚 < 1
EVEN FUNCTION:
A function is said to be an even function if for each 𝑥 of domain 𝐹(−𝑥) = 𝐹(𝑥)
For example, each of the following is an even function.
i) If F(x) = x 2 then F(−x) = (−x)2 = x 2 = F(x)
ii) If F(x) = cos x then F(−x) = cos (−x) = cos x = F(x)
iii) If F(x) = |x| then F(−x) = | − x| = |x| = F(x)
The graph of this even function (modulus function) is shown in the figure above.
ODD FUNCTION:
A function is said to be an odd function if for each 𝑥: 𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥)
For example,
i) If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 , then f(−x) = (−x)3 = −x 3 = −f(x)
ii) If 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥, then 𝑓(−𝑥) = sin (−𝑥) = −sin 𝑥 = −𝑓(𝑥)
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Graph of the odd function y = x
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS:
A function is of the form 𝑓(𝑥)/𝑔(𝑥), where 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are polynomial functions of 𝑥 defined in a domain
such that 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0 is called a rational function.
TYPES OF FUNCTIONS: In terms of relations, we can define the types of functions as:
One to one function or Injective function: A function f: P → Q is said to be one to one if for
each element of P there is a distinct element of Q.
Many to one function: A function which maps two or more elements of P to the same
element of set Q.
Onto Function or Surjective function: A function for which every element of set Q there is
pre-image in set P.
One-one correspondence or Bijective function: The function f matches with each element of
P with a discrete element of Q and every element of Q has a pre-image in P.
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OPERATIONS ON REAL FUNCTIONS:
The algebraic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division etc. can be performed on two
real valued functions suitably in the same manner as they are performed on two real numbers
1. (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥), for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝑋.
2. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥), for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝑋.
3. (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥), for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝑋.
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
4. (𝑔) (x) = 𝑔(𝑥), for all x ∈ X, g(x) ≠ 0
5. (𝑓 𝑛 )(𝑥) = (𝑓(𝑥))𝑛 , for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝑋.
1 1
6. ( ) (x) = ,x ∈ X, f(x) ≠ 0
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
7. (𝑐𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑐𝑓(𝑥), for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝑋.
COMPOSITION OF FUNCTIONS
Let f, g be two real valued functions and let D = {x: x ∈ 𝐷𝑓 , f(x) ∈ 𝐷𝑔 } ≠ 𝜙, then the composite Of f and g ,
denoted by gof, is the function defined by (𝑔𝑜𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) with domain 𝐷.
The composite of two functions is also called the resultant of two functions or function of a function:
In particular, if 𝐷𝑓 ⊂ 𝐷𝑔 then 𝐷𝑔𝑜𝑓 = 𝐷𝑓
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