FUNCTIONS

Function: A Function is a Relation, Let A, B are two non-empty

sets and ‘f’ be a relation from A to B,
If every element of A is associated with unique element in B, then the
relation f is called a function. It says that,
i. No element should left in the domain without association.
ii. No element in domain should have two or more images in B.
Let’s check whether the following Relations are Functions or
not?
Here A is called Domain of ‘f’, B is called Co-domain of ‘f’.
NOTE: If a (𝝐𝑨) is associated with b (𝝐𝑩) , then b is called the image of
a and a is called the pre-image of b. A function is denoted by f : A → B.

 How many ways are there to prove a given Relation is a Function?

1. Mathematical approach 2. Ordered pair Method
3. Graphical Method 4. Venn diagram Method
(vertical line test)
1. Mathematical approach:
Let x1, x2 belongs to domain of f. If x1 = x2 ⟹ f(x1) = f(x2), then f is a function.

Example: Prove that f : R → R , f(x) = x+2 is a function?

If x1 = x2 ⟹ x1+ 2 = x2 + 2 ⟹f(x1) = f(x2).
 If x1 = x2 ⟹ f(x1) = f(x2), then it is a function.

x1 f(x1) x1 f(x1) f(x1)

= = ⟹ 𝐗 𝐘 = ≠ ⟹ 𝐗
x2 f(x2) x2 f(x2) f(x2)

Vertical line test:

1.Relation is a function if each vertical line intersect the graph at exactly one
point.
2. Relation is not a function if some vertical line intersects its graph at more
than one point. Y
Y

X X
2. Order pair Method: Let f = { (x,1), (y,2), (z,3), (p,2)} ;
g = {(x,1), (y,2), (z,4), (x,2)} ;
h = {(x,2), (y,3), (z, 1), (y,2)}.

Here f is a function and g and h are not functions because domain elements
occurs more than Once. i.e., x, y are repeated twice.

3. Graphical Method: Let f = { (x,1), (y,2), (z,2)}

g = {(x,1), (y,2), (z,3), (x,2)} ; h = {(x,2), (y,3), (z, 1), (y,2)}.
y y y
3 . 3 . 3 .
2 . 2 . . 2 . .
1 . . .
1 1
x y z
X X X
x y z x y z
f g h
4. Venn diagram Method: Let f = { (x,1), (y,2), (z,3), (p,2)} ;
g = {(x,1), (y,2), (z,3), (x,2)} ; h = {(x,2), (y,3), (z, 1), (y,2)}.

f g h
X 1 X 1 X 1

2 Y 2 Y 2
Y
Z 3 Z 3
Z 3

f is a function, g and h re not functions, because the domain elements

x and y have two images each.
Range of Function: The set of elements in the co–domain which are the images
of the elements in the domain is called Range.
In f: A → B, Range of f is denoted by f(A) and f(A) = Rf ={f(x) /x ∈A}, f(A)⊆ B.

Domain: Set-A Set-B

Co-domain:

Range:
 If A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {a, b}, then then the no. of possible functions from A to B is 8.

1 1
a a
2 2
b b
3 3
1 a 1 a
2 2
b b
3 3

A B A B A B A B
1 1 a 1 a
a 1 a
2 2 2
b 2 b b
3 b 3 3
3

If n(A) = m, n(B) = n, then the number of possible functions from A to B is mn

 One – One Function (or) Injection
In a function, if f : A → B , if distinct elements in the domain are associated with
distinct elements in the co–domain, then f is said to be one–one function.
A B
Symbolically, ∀ x1,x2∈A , if x1 ≠ x2 ⟹ f( x1)≠ f(x2) p f
5
i.e., if f( x1) = f(x2) ⟹ x1 = x2 q 6
7
x1 f(x1) x1 r 8
f(x1) f(x1)
≠ ≠ = ≠ ⟹ X
x2 f(x2) f(x2) f(x2)

An injection. Not an injection.

x1 f(x1)
= = ⟹ X f(x) An injection.
x2 f(x2)
Horizontal Line Test: If we draw a horizontal line which is parallel to X-axis,
then if it intersects the graph of the function in two or
more points, the function is not One- One function.
graph
Note: If n(A) =m, n(B) = n, then Y

1.One–One functions are possible from A to B when m ≤ n Horizontal

line
1 1 X
2 2
3
...
3
.
.. n n-1 n-2 . . . . . n-(m-1)
. . 1 m
2 3
m n

f
A B
2. The number of possible one–one functions from A to B is
𝑛!
n Pm = , if m ≤ n (or) = 0, if m > n.
𝑛−𝑚 !
  The function which is not one - one is called many - one function.
Y
Many – One function: If f : A → B, then two or more than many one
two elements of A have the same image in B.
Thus x1, x2 ∈ A , if x1 ≠ x2 ⟹ f( x1) = f(x2)

-2 X
4
2
-3 9
3
16
5
f(x) = x2
A B
 On-to function (or) Surjection
f : A → B is said to be onto if every element of B occurs as an image of at least
one element of ‘A’.
i.e., For every 𝑏 ∈B, ∃ at least one element 𝑎 ∈A such that f(a) = b.
Note: 1. Range = Co–domain. 𝑨 𝑩
𝒇
2. If n(A) = m, n(B) = n, then number of onto 𝐛 𝒙
functions are possible from A to B when m ≥ n. 𝐜 𝒚
𝒅

Range = {x, y}
r 1
Co-domain = {x, y}
s 2
3

If m < n, then it is not an on-to function.

x x x x
1 y 1 1 1
y y y
Z
2 Z 2 2 2
Z Z

x 1 x 1 If m = 3 and n= 2, then number of

y y
Z 2 2 possible on-to functions from A to B is 6
Z

3. If n(A) = m, n(B) = 2, then the number of possible on-to functions

from A to B is 2m – 2.
4. If n(A) = m, n(B) = n, then the number of possible on-to functions
from A to B
= n c0 nm - n c1 (n-1)m + n c2 (n-2)m- n c3 (n-3)m +……..
= Σ (−1)𝑟 n c r (n-r)m
Into Function: If f : A → B is said to be in-to if f(A)⊂ 𝐁.
The number of possible in-to functions from A to B
= n c1 (n-1)m - n c2 (n-2)m + n c3 (n-3)m- ……..
𝟏 𝒂
𝟐 𝐛 Range = {a, b, c}
𝟑 𝐜 Co-domain = {a, ,b, c, d}
𝟒 𝐝

Bijective function (or) Bijective: If f : A → B is said to be bijection,

if and only if ‘f’ is one – one and onto function.

NOTE: 1. Bijection is possible from A to B when n(A) = n(B)

2. The number of possible bijections from A to B is n(A)! or n(B)!
Inverse of an element: Let f : A → B be a function . If an a p
element a in A is associated with an element p in B under b q
the function f then p is called the f-image of a i.e., p = f(a). c r
d s
In other wards, a is the pre-image or inverse element of p f
under f and is written as a = f −1 (p). A B

a = 𝐟 −𝟏 (p), b = 𝐟 −𝟏 (r), c = 𝐟 −𝟏 (s), d = 𝐟 −𝟏 (q)

Inverse Function: If f : A → B is defined a p

by f ={(a, b)/ a∈A, b∈B} is a bijection then b q
c r
Inverse function of ‘f ’ is denoted by f −1 , d s
defined as 𝒇−𝟏
A B

𝐟 −𝟏 : B → A and 𝐟 −𝟏 = {(b, a)/ (a, b) ∈ 𝐟}.

 Inverse function of ‘f’ exists, if and only if ‘f’ is a bijection.
a p
f = {(a, p), (b, r), (c, s), (d, q)} b q
c r
s
Domain of f = Range of f −1 or Co-domain of f −1 d
f
Co-domain of f = Domain of f −1 A B

𝒇−𝟏
f −1 = {(p, a), (r, b), (s, c), (q, d)}. a p
b q
c r
d s
A B

Note: The inverse of a function need not be a function. Whereas

inverse function is always a function.
Constant Function: A function f : A → B is said to be a Constant function, if
f(x) = c, where c is constant and x∈A. In this all the elements of the Domain are
assigned to a single element in its Co-domain. f
a p
Note:1. The graph of a constant function f(x) = c is a b q
c
straight line parallel to x–axis and above it if c > 0, d r
below it if c < 0. Coincident to x-axis, if c = 0. A B
2. The Range of constant function is a singleton set.
Y
3. The number of possible constant functions from A
to B is n(B).

c>0

c<0
Identity Function: A function f : A → A is said to be an Identity function on
A, if f(x) = x, ∀ x∈A.
Note: In general an identity function on ‘A’ is denoted by IA.
1. Every Identity function is a bijection.
2. Every Identity function has its own Inverse.
3. If ‘f’ is an Identity function, then 𝑓 = 𝑓 −1
Equal Functions:
The two functions f and g are said to be equal sets, if and only if
1. They are defined on the same domain D.
2. f(x) = g(x), ∀ x∈D.
Real variable function: f : A → B is said to be real variable function, if A ⊆ R.

Real valued function: f : A → B is said to be real valued function, if B ⊆ R.

Real function: f : A → B is said to be real function, if A ⊆ R and B ⊆ R.

Operations on Real functions:

Let f and g be two real functions and D = Df ∩ Dg and D ≠ 𝜙,then
i. (f +g) (x) = f(x)+g(x), ∀ x∈D.
ii. (f – g)(x) = f(x) – g(x), ∀ x∈D.
iii.(f g)(x) = f(x).g(x), ∀ x∈D.
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
iv. (x) = ,∀ x∈D -{x / g(x) = 0 }.
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)
Composite function: Let f : A → B, g : B → C be two functions. Then a
function g o f: A → C defined by (g o f)(x) = g[f(x)] ∀ x∈A is called
the composition of f and g.

Note: (g o f) is possible if Range of f ⊆ Domain of g.

Let f : A → B, g : B → C and h : C → D are three functions f : A → B and

hog: B → D then (hog)of : A→ D defined by (hog)of(x) = h[g(f(x))], ∀ x∈A

g o f: A → C, h : C → D then ho(g o f) : A→ D defined by ho(g o f)(x) = h[g(f(x))],

∀x∈A ; (h o g)of(x) = ho(g o f)(x).
PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS: The functions that have multiple parts are called
Piecewise functions. Each part is defined by a specific Domain.
These functions can be used to calculate payment rates and other scientific and
financial problems.
Absolute value function or Modulus function: y = |x| = x, if x ≥ 0
= -x, if x < 0.
Domain of the function = R ; Range of function = [0,∝ ).
Properties of modulus function:
a. |x| > a ⟹ x > a or x < – a
b. |x| < a ⟹ – a < x < a
c. |x| ≤ a ⟹ – a ≤ x ≤ a (a ≥ 0)
d. |x| ≥ a ⟹ x ≥ a or x ≤ -a (a ≥ 0)
 |𝑥| 𝑥
Signum Function: y = sgn(x) is defined as y = sgn(x) = (or) , (x ≠ 0)
𝑥 |𝑥|
= 0, if (x = 0)
i.e., y = 1, if (x > 0)
= -1, if (x < 0)
= 0, if (x = 0).
The domain of the function = R; The range of the function = {–1,0,1}.
The Greatest Integer Function: [x] indicates the integral part of ‘x’ which is
nearest and smaller integer to ‘x’. If n ≤ x < n+1, then [x] = n, where n∈Z.
The Domain of the function = R; The Range of the function = Z.

Properties of greatest Integer function:

i. [x] = x, if x∈Z
ii. [ x + I] = [x] + I, if I is an integer
iii. [ x + y] ≥ [x] + [y]
iv. [x] ≥I ⟹ x ≥ I
v. [x] ≤ I ⟹ x < I + l
vi. [x] > I ⟹ x ≥ I + 1
vii. [x] < I ⟹ x < I.
Fractional part Function: y={x}, indicates the fractional part of ‘x’ defined as
y ={x} = x – [x].
Let x = I + f where I = [x] , f = {x}, 0 ≤ 𝑓 < 1
Domain of {x} = R; Range of {x} = [0,1).
Properties of {x}:
i. {x} = x, if 0 < x < 1 ii. {x} = 0, if x∈Z iii.{–x} = 1–{x}, if x∉Z
Least integer Function: y = (x) =  x  indicates the integral part of x which is
nearest and greater integer to ‘x’.
In general if n < x < n+1 then (x) =  x  = n + 1
Domain of (x) = R; Range of (x) = Z.
Properties of (x): 1. (x) = x = [x] when ‘x’ is an integer .
2.  x  I   ( x  I ), (x) + I , I ∈Z
3. (x) > I ⟹ x > I 4. (x) ≥ I ⟹ x > I-1
5. (x) < I ⟹ x ≤ I – 1 6. (x) ≤ I ⟹ x ≤ I
Even Function: A function f(x) is said to be even function, if f(–x)= f(x),∀ x∈D .
Note: The graph of an even function is symmetric about the Y-axis.

Odd Function: A function f(x) is said to be odd function, if f(–x) = –f(x), ∀ x∈D.
Note:
1.The graph of an odd function is symmetrical in opposite quadrants.
2. Every function f(x) can be expressed as the sum of even and odd functions.
𝑓 𝑥 +𝑓 −𝑥 𝑓 𝑥 −𝑓(−𝑥)
f(x) = +
2 2
𝑓 𝑥 +𝑓 −𝑥
where is an even function,
2
𝑓 𝑥 −𝑓(−𝑥)
is an odd function.
2
Domain: The set of all real values of ‘x’ for which f(x) is defined.
Polynomial Function: f(x) = a0 𝑥 𝑛 + a1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + ............... + an(a0 ≠ 0) .
The domain of f(x) = ‘R’.
Example: The domain of f(x) = 2x + 3 is R.
 𝑝(𝑥)
Rational Function: f(x) = , where p(x), q(x) are the polynomials in ‘x’.
𝑞(𝑥)
Here f(x) is defined when q(x) ≠ 0.
The domain of f(x) is R -{x/ q(x) = 0}.
1
Example-1 : f (x) = , f(x) is defined, when x-1≠ 0 ⟹ x≠ 1 ⟹ 𝐷𝑓 = R – {1}
𝑥−1
1
Example-2 : 2 , f(x) is not defined, when 𝑥 2 – 5x + 6 = 0
𝑥 −5𝑥+6
⟹ (x – 2) (x–3) = 0 ⟹ x = 2 or x = 3; 𝐷𝑓 = R – {2,3}.
Irrational Function:
A function of the form 𝑓(𝑥) is defined, when f(x) > 0 ⟹ 𝐷𝑓 = {x/f (x) ≥ 0}.
Example-1: Find the domain of f(x) = 4 − 𝑥 2 .
Solution: f(x) is defined when 4 − 𝑥 2 ≥ 0 ⟹ 𝑥 2 − 4 ≤ 0.
⟹ (x-2)(x+2) ≤ 0 ⟹ x∈[-2,2]; 𝐷𝑓 = −2,2 .
Example-2: Find the domain of f(x) = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3).
Sol: f(x) = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) f(x) is defined, when (x-1)(x-2)(x-3) ≥ 0,
f(x) is defined in the interval [1,2] and [3,∝); 𝐷𝑓 = [1,2] ⋃[3,∝).
 1
The function is given in the form f(x) = ⟹ 𝑓 𝑥 is defined, when g(x) > 0.
𝑔 𝑥
𝐷𝑓 = {x/g(x) > 0}.
Domain of the function of the form f(x) = log(g(x)) is 𝐷𝑓 = {x/g(x) > 0}.
Example-1: Find the domain of f(x) = log10 ( 4 − [𝑥]).
Solution: f(x) is defined when 4 – [x] > 0 ⟹ 4 > [x] ⟹ [x] < 4; 𝐷𝑓 = (- ∝, 4).
 𝟏
Finding domain of the function of the form f(x) = .
𝒍𝒐𝒈(𝒈 𝒙 )
f(x) is defined when g(x) > 0 and g(x) ≠ 1; 𝐷𝑓 = {x/g(x) > 0, g(x) ≠ 1}
𝟏
Example: Find the domain of f(x) =
𝒍𝒐𝒈( 𝒙 +𝟏)
Solution: ‘f’ is defined when |x| + 1 > 0 and |x| + 1≠ 0}
|x| > -1 , |x| ≠ 0 ; x ∈ R , x ≠ 0 , 𝐷𝑓 = R – {0}.
Domain of the function of the form f(x) = log 𝑔(𝑥)
i. If a > 1, then 𝐷𝑓 = {x/ g(x) ≥1}.
ii. If 0 < a < 1, then 𝐷𝑓 = {x/0 < g(x) ≤ 1}.
Domain of composite functions: Let f(x), g(x) be two functions defined
on the domains D1 and D2 respectively, then
Domain of f(x) ± 𝑔 𝑥 is D1∩ D2.
Domain of f(x).g(x) is D1∩ D2.
𝑓(𝑥)
Domain of is D1∩ D2 - { x / g(x) = 0}.
𝑔(𝑥)
 𝑥−3
Example: Find the domain of f(x) =
4−𝑥
𝑥−3
Solution: ‘f’ is defined when ≥ 0 and 4 – x ≠ 0,
4−𝑥
𝑥−3
⟹ ≤ 0 and x ≠ 4 ⟹ 𝑥 − 3 ≥ 0 and x - 4 < 0 ⟹ 𝑥 ∈ [3,4), 𝐷𝑓 = [3,4).
𝑥−4
Exponential Function: A function which associates every x∈ 𝑅 to ax where a is
positive real number other than unity is known as the exponential function.
Symbolically, A function f:R⟶R defined as f(x) = ax, a > 0 and a≠ 0 is called an
Exponential function.
Domain of f(x) =R, Range of f(x) = (0,∝).
Case: 1. When a >1, ax > 1, x > 0; ax = 1, x = 0; ax < 1, x < 0
2.when 0 < a < 1, ax > 1, x < 0; ax = 1, x = 0; ax < 1, x > 0
Note: since 2<e<3, then the graph of ex is same to f(x) = ax, for a>1 and the
graph of e-x is same to ax for 0<a<1.
 Logarithmic Function: For any a > 0, a≠1, the function defined by
f(x) = log 𝑎 𝑥, where x > 0 is called the Logarithm Function.
Domain = (0,∝) and Range = R.
1. When 0 < a < 1; f(x) = log 𝑎 𝑥, log 𝑎 𝑥 > 0, 0 < x < 1; log 𝑎 𝑥 = 0, x = 1, log 𝑎 𝑥 < 0 , 𝑥 > 1.
2. When a >1, f(x) = log 𝑎 𝑥, log 𝑎 𝑥 > 0, 𝑥 > 1, log 𝑎 𝑥 = 0, x = 1, log 𝑎 𝑥 < 0 ,0 < x < 1.
Fractional part Function: A function f : R⟶R defined f(x) = { x }for all x ∈
R is known as the fractional part function.
Here, { x } represents the fractional part or decimal part of x.
Domain = R Range =[0,1)
 1
Reciprocal Function: A function f : R−{0} ⟶R defined by f(x) = is known as
𝑥
Reciprocal Function. Domain = R-{0}, Range = R-{0}.

Cube Function: A function f : R⟶R defined f(x) = x3 is known as the

Cube Function. Domain = R, Range = R.
Cube Root Function: A function f : R⟶R defined by f(x) = x1/3 is known as
the cube root function. Domain = R, Range = R.

Square Function: A function f : R⟶R defined by f(x) = x2 is known as the

Square function. Domain = R, Range = [0,∝).
Square Root Function: A function f : R+⟶R defined by f(x) = 𝑥 is known as
the Square Root function. Domain = [0,∝), Range = [0,∝).

𝟏
Reciprocal Squared Function: A function f : R−{0} ⟶R defined by f(x) = is
𝒙𝟐
known as the Reciprocal Squared Function.
Domain = R-{0}, Range = (0,∝).
Reciprocal Square Root Function: A function f :(0,∝) ⟶R defined by
1
f(x) = is known as the Reciprocal Square Root function.
𝑥
Domain = (0,∝), Range = (0,∝).

Polynomial Function: The function f : R⟶R defined as

f(x) = a0xn + a1 x n-1 + ……….+ an-1 x + an where
a0, a1, a2,…..an-1, an (a0 ≠ 0)are real constants and n ∈ Z+ is known as
Polynomial function of degree n in variable x.
Linear Function: The function f : R⟶R defined as f(x) = ax + b where
(a0 ≠ 0) are 𝑏 ∈ R is known as a Linear Function.
Domain = R, Range = R.