Function Study: Domain and Analysis
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ScribdTranslationsFunction Study: Domain and Analysis
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsFUNCTION STUDY
The study of a function is that process which, starting from the domain and arriving at the analysis
of the second derivative, to outline the qualitative graph by analyzing the analytical expression of the function.
How to proceed?
STEP 1: DETERMINE THE DOMAIN OF A FUNCTION
The DOMAIN of a function is the subset ofR where y= it( is) defined.
In which points or intervals of R is the function not defined?
In the case of Ratios (A/B), the denominator is set to be different from 0 (≠0).
Root with even index: the radicand is set to be greater than or equal to 0 (≥0)
Logarithms: ...
Arccosine
Exponential with variable base:...
Condition of existence in a system
Once all the conditions of existence have been determined, we need to put them into a system. Put into a system
This means that the conditions must hold simultaneously, that is, to extract the intersection of the sets.
By solving the system, we find the set of solutions, the large set in which all the conditions are met.
satisfied.
Once the system is solved, we write the domain of in the form of a union of intervals and we indicate it with
Dom notation ).
ATTENTION
The system may contain inequalities and disparities (mixed system): solve the inequalities and
Treat inequalities like equations. In the end, use the usual graphical method for systems of inequalities.
in order to determine the intervals that make up the set of solutions.
In the union of the intervals, remember to correctly use the notation of intervals designed to exclude.
and include the points (excluded: round brackets; included: square brackets).
STEP 2: STUDY OF EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY
An even function is a function such that − =( () ) , and therefore takes on symmetric values with respect to
on the y-axis (Y); an odd function is a function such that − = − ( ) and so( )
assume symmetric values with respect to
at the origin. It may also not be even
neither odd.
Beyond the algebraic conditions that
distinguish even functions and the
odd functions, it is important to remember
that the definitions of evenness and oddness do not
can disregard the symmetry of the
domain with respect to the origin. For this
the reason for the first hypothesis that we will have to
the verification will be precisely related to the
symmetry of the domain: if it exists
we will proceed with the check of the
algebraic condition, otherwise we will conclude that the function in question is neither even nor odd.
If the domain is symmetric, we must consider the analytical expression y= ( ) and carry out the evaluation
(− ).
That is, we need to replace the x in the analytical expression of the function with the term (-x). Put the
parentheses, they avoid distraction or sign problems!!!
If the function is symmetric with respect to the y-axis (even function), or with respect to the origin (odd function), it will suffice to
continue the study for positive x, thus simplifying the calculations.
STEP 3: INTERSECTION WITH THE AXES
The intersections with the axes are the points where the graph of the function y = ( ) intersects the Cartesian axes, equals to
the y-axis x=0 and the x-axis y=0.
A function might not intersect either of the axes, or it could intersect just one of them, or
eventually both. The study and calculation of the Cartesian coordinates of the intersection points with the
In any case, they help to identify good reference points, which will facilitate our representation.
of the function graph.
Intersection with the y-axis
The graph of a function may or may not intersect the y-axis, but if it does, it can intersect it.
only once in accordance with the definition of a function. A function is indeed a law that associates with a
value x one and only one value y.
If the value x=0 belongs to the domain of the function, then the graph of the function intersects
the y-axis. Conversely, if x=0 does not belong to the domain, then there is no intersection present.
with the y-axis.
To calculate the ordinate of the intersection point with the y-axis, we need to evaluate the function at
correspondence of the abscissa x=0, that is, substitute the value x=0 in the expression of the function. After having it
we will immediately calculate the coordinates of the intersection point with the y-axis.
Intersection with the x-axis
In general, the graph of a function can intersect or not intersect the x-axis, and if it does, it can do so in
one or more points.
To calculate the coordinates of the intersection points with the x-axis, of the equation y=0, we need to ask ourselves
What are the values of x for which the function is null? Therefore, we need to solve the equation. ( ) = [Link]
the equation could be impossible or have one or more solutions x. In this case, the coordinates of the
intersections with the x-axis will be (xi;0)
STEP 4: STUDY OF THE SIGN
Study the sign of a function y=f(0)to understand over which intervals of the domain the function
Is it positive or negative.
By studying the sign of a function, we will be able to understand on which intervals of the x-axis the graph is
find above the x-axis and in which intervals it is below it.
Any sign changes occur at the intersections with the x-axis, which we have already calculated.
previous step.
To determine the sign of the function, it is sufficient to solve the inequality:
( ) 0in Dom )
And remember that we must only consider the solutions that fall within the domain of
Dom function ( )All the others must be discarded.
The intersection with the x-axis can be avoided because it can be included in the analysis of the sign of the function.
Just solve the inequality: ( ) ≥ 0 House ( )
By doing so, we are able to identify in one go the x-coordinates of the points of intersection with the x-axis and the
intervals in which the function is positive, that is, the intervals of the x-axis on which the graph is located in the upper half-plane
in positive order.
The complement of the solution set in the domain will instead consist of the intervals on which the function
it is negative, that is, the intervals of the x-axis on which the graph is located in the semi-plane with negative ordinates.
STEP 5: LIMITS TO THE BOUNDS OF THE DOMAIN AND ASYMPTOTES
STEP 6: STUDY OF THE FIRST DERIVATIVE OF THE FUNCTION
STEP 7: CONVEXITY AND INFLECTION POINTS WITH THE SECOND DERIVATIVE
Completed exercises:
[Link]