Basic Mathematics Review 8385
Domain and Range
If we want to find the domain and range of a graph of an equation, we need to remember
that the set of all x-coordinates is called the domain , while the set of all y-coordinates is
called the range of the equation.
We need to look from left to right on the x-axis to determine the domain and from the
bottom to top on the y-axis to determine the range.
Example: Find the domain and range of the graph.
f(x) = x 2 – 3
x
(0 , 3)
Answer:
To find the domain we need to determine the x-values on the graph. If we visualize
that the parabola gets infinitely wider from left to right, we can see that the graph
will go to negative infinity to the left and to positive infinity on the right. When
writing the domain in interval notation, write the smaller value first.
Domain: ( -∞ , ∞ )
To find the range we need to determine the y-values on the graph. If we visualize
that the parabola gets infinitely “taller,” we can see that the y-values on the graph
start at -3 ( the lowest point of the graph) and go to positive infinity to the top of
the graph. When writing the range in interval notation, write the smaller value first.
Range: [ -3 , ∞ )
Notice that we used a bracket to indicate that -3 is included.
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Review 8385 Basic Mathematics
Example: Find the domain and range of the graph.
g(x) = √ x – 3
x
(3, 0)
Answer:
To find the domain we need to determine the x-values on the graph. Notice that
the graph begins at 3 on the left and goes to positive infinity on the right. When
writing the domain in interval notation, write the smaller value first.
Domain: [ 3 , ∞ )
Notice that we used a bracket to indicate that 3 is included.
To find the range we need to determine the y-values on the graph. Notice that the
y-values on the graph start at 0 ( the lowest point of the graph), and if we visualize
that the graph gets infinitely “taller" we can see the y-values go to positive infinity.
When writing the range in interval notation, write the smaller value first.
Range: [ 0 , ∞ )
Notice that we used a bracket to indicate that 0 is included.
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Unlawful duplication is a violation of copyright laws.
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Objective Review 8385 – 2
Basic Mathematics Review 8385
Example: Find the domain and range of the graph.
y
(2, 8)
h(x) = x 3
(-2, -8)
Answer:
To find the domain we need to determine the x-values on the graph. Notice that
the x-values of the graph go to negative infinity to the left and to positive infinity
on the right.
Domain: ( -∞ , ∞ )
To find the range we need to determine the y-values on the graph. Notice that the
y-values on the graph go from negative infinity ( the lowest point of the graph)
and to positive infinity (the top of the graph).
Range: ( -∞ , ∞ )
©2007, Summit Interactive. All Rights Reserved.
Unlawful duplication is a violation of copyright laws.
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