Conceptualized by: Raymond D.

Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
Chapter 2: Functions
In this chapter, we look at a special type of equation involving two variables called a function.
This chapter deals with what a function is, how to graph functions, properties of functions, and how
functions are used in applications. The word function apparently was introduced by René Descartes in
1637. For him, a function simply meant any positive integral power of a variable x. Gottfried Wilhelm
Leibniz (1646–1716), who always emphasized the geometric side of mathematics, used the word
function to denote any quantity associated with a curve, such as the coordinates of a point on the curve.
Leonhard Euler (1707–1783) employed the word to mean any equation or formula involving variables
and constants. His idea of a function is similar to the one most often seen in courses that precede
calculus. Later, the use of functions in investigating heat flow equations led to a very broad definition,
due to Lejeune Dirichlet (1805–1859), which describes a function as a correspondence between two
sets. It is his definition that we use here.

Lesson 1: Domain and Range of a Function

Often there are situations where one variable is somehow linked to the value of another
variable. For example, an individual’s level of education is linked to annual income. Engine size is
linked to gas mileage.
Lesson Objectives:
1. Determine Whether a Relation Represents a Function.
2. Find the Value of a Function.
3. Find the Domain of a Function Defined by an Equation.
4. Form the Sum, Difference, Product, and Quotient of Two Functions.

Let us start the lesson with this situation:

Given two numbers 3 and 9, is there a relation between them?
These are the possible answers:
9 is 3 times 3 : 9=3x3
9 is the square of 3 : 9 = 32
9 is 6 greater than 3 : 9=6+3
9 is greater than 3 : 9>3
3 is the square root of 9 : 3 = √9
3 is less than 9 : 3<9
Those statements show that the relation between 3 and 9 can vary and many more can be
deduced.
Now, suppose we are to find the set of natural numbers less than 10. The numbers from 1 to 9
are less than 10 and we can list them:
(1, 10), (2, 10), (3, 10), …, (9, 10).

When the value of one variable is related to the value of a second variable, we have a
relation. Relation occurs whenever there are pairing of elements of one set with elements of a second
set. For example, a natural number can be paired with its square, or an integer can be paired with its
absolute value. A relation is a correspondence between two sets. If x and y are two elements in these
sets and if a relation exists between x and y, then we say that x corresponds to y or that y depends on
x, and we write x→y
There are a number of ways to express relations between two sets. For example, the equation
y = 3x – 1 shows a relation between x and y. It says that if we take some number x, multiply it by 3,
and then subtract 1 we obtain the corresponding value of y. In this sense, x serves as the input to the

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 39

Conceptualized by: Raymond D. Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
relation and y is the output of the relation. We can also express
this relation as a graph as shown in the figure at the right
Not only can a relation be expressed through an equation
or graph, but we can also express a relation through a technique
called mapping. A map illustrates a relation by using a set of
inputs and drawing arrows to the corresponding element in the set
of outputs. Ordered pairs can be used to represent x→y as (x, y).
Now, let us consider the set of natural numbers less than
10. This set consists of only 9 elements:

(1, 10), (2, 10), (3, 10), (4, 10), (5, 10), (6, 10), (7, 10), (8, 10) and (9, 10).

(10, 5) cannot be considered an element of the set because 10 is greater than 5. Hence, there is
a need to emphasize that the pairs in a relation are to be regarded as ordered pairs.
Consider the four points on a Cartesian plane, described as a set of ordered pairs,

C = {(-2, -3), (0, 1), (2, 1), (5, 4)}. This set is called a relation.

One of the most important concepts in algebra is the

function. A function is a special type of relation. To understand the
idea behind a function, let’s consider the relation presented in the
figure at the right. If we were to ask, “How many representatives
does Alaska have?” you would respond “1”. In fact, each input state
corresponds to a single output number of representatives.
Let’s consider a second relation where we have a
correspondence between four people and their phone numbers.
Notice that Colleen has two telephone numbers. If asked,
“What is Colleen’s phone number?”, you cannot assign a single
number to her.
Let’s look at one more relation. The figure below is a
relation that shows a
correspondence between animals and life expectancy. If asked to
determine the life expectancy of a dog, we would all respond “11
years.” If asked to determine the life expectancy of a rabbit, we
would all respond “7 years.”
Notice that the relations presented in Figures 2 and 4
have something in common. What is it? The common link
between these two relations is that each input corresponds to
exactly one output. This leads to the definition of a function

Definition of Function
Let X and Y be two nonempty sets. A function from X into Y is a relation that
associates with each element of X exactly one element of Y.

The set X is called the domain of the function. For each element x in
X, the corresponding element y in Y is called the value of the function at x,
or the image of x.
The set of all images of the elements in the domain is called the range
of the function. See Figure at the right.

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 40

Conceptualized by: Raymond D. Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
Since there may be some elements in Y that are not the image of some
x in X, it follows that the range of a function may be a subset of Y.
Relations need not be only between properties of numbers. The figure
below illustrates the relation “is the brother of” among the set of 6 boys A, B,
C, D, E, F and 1 girl G.
Notice that a double – headed arrow is used to represent that A is a
brother of B and B is a brother of A. Only a single arrow connects B to G (G
is a sister of B). E and F have no arrows as neither has a brother.

In the set {3, 5, 7, 9}, examine the relation “is greater than.” This relation can be shown in an
arrow diagram

The relation “divides exactly” on the set A where A = {2, 5, 6, 8, 10}

is shown in this arrow diagram:

A relation of special importance occurs between two sets A and B

when each number of A is related to only one member of B. This relation is known as
Mapping or Function.
Consider set A = {-3, -1, 1, 2, 3} and set B is the set of all positive integers {1, 2, 3,…}. Map
the relation, “when squared equals”

Notice that as each member of A has only one square, only one arrow leaves each member in
A. Set A is called the Domain and the part of set B is called the Range
Hence, set A is mapped into set B.
This mapping is conveniently written as f(-2) = 4 stating that f operating on -2 produces an
image 4.
Remember that not all relations between two sets are functions. The example below shows how
to determine whether a relation is a function. Domain determine whether a relation is a function.

Example 1: Determining Whether a Relation Represents a Function

Determine which of the following relations represent a function. If the relation is a function,
then state its domain and range.
(a) See Figure 1 below. For this relation, the domain represents the number of calories in
a sandwich from a fast-food restaurant and the range represents the fat content(in grams).
(b) See Figure 2 below. For this relation, the domain represents gasoline stations in Collier
County, Florida, and the range represents the price per gallon of unleaded regular in July 2010.
(c) See Figure 3 below. For this relation, the domain represents the weight (in carats) of pear-
cut diamonds and the range represents the price (in dollars).

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 41

Conceptualized by: Raymond D. Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
Solution
(a) The relation in Figure 1 is a function because each element in the domain corresponds to
exactly one element in the range. The domain of the function is {470, 670, 630, 540, 360},
and the range of the function is {31, 40, 39, 29, 16}.

(b) The relation in Figure 2 is a function because each element in the domain corresponds to
exactly one element in the range. The domain of the function is {Mobil, Shell, Sunoco, 7-
Eleven}. The range of the function is {2.69, 2.71, 2.72}. Notice that it is okay for more
than one element in the domain to correspond to the same element in the range (Shell and
7-Eleven each sell gas for $2.72 a gallon).

(c) The relation in Figure 3 is not a function because each element in the domain does not
correspond to exactly one element in the range. If a 0.71-carat diamond is chosen from the
domain, a single price cannot be assigned to it.

The idea behind a function is its predictability. If the input is known, we can use the function
to determine the output. With “nonfunctions,” we don’t have this predictability. Look back at Figure
2. The inputs are {410, 580, 540, 750, 600, 430}. The correspondence is number of fat grams, and the
outputs are {19, 29, 24, 33, 23}. If asked, “How many grams of fat are in a 410-calorie sandwich?” we
can use the correspondence to answer “19.” Now consider Figure 3. If asked, “What is the price
of a 0.71-carat diamond?” we could not give a single response because two outputs result from the
single input “0.71.” For this reason, the relation in Figure 3 is not a function.
We may also think of a function as a set of ordered pairs in which no ordered pairs (x, y) have
the same first element and different second elements. The set of all first elements x is the domain of
the function, and the set of all second elements y is its range. Each element x in the domain corresponds
to exactly one element y in the range.

Example 2: Determining Whether a Relation Represents a Function

Determine whether each relation represents a function. If it is a function, state the domain and
range.
(a) {(1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6), (4, 7)}
(b) {1, 4), (2, 4), (3, 5), (6, 10)}
(c) {(-1, 9), (-2, 4), (0, 0), (1, 1), (-3, 8)}

Solution
(a) This relation is a function because there are no ordered pairs with the same first element
and different second elements. The domain of this function is {1, 2, 3, 5} and its range is
{4, 5, 6, 7}.

(b) This relation is a function because there are no ordered pairs with the same first element
and different second elements. The domain of this function is {1, 2, 3, 6} and its range is
{4, 5, 10}.

(c) This relation is not a function because there are two ordered pairs, (-3, 9) and (-3, 8), that
have the same first element and different second elements.

In Example 2(b), notice that 1 and 2 in the domain each have the same image in the range. This
does not violate the definition of a function; two different first elements can have the same second

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 42

Conceptualized by: Raymond D. Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
element. A violation of the definition occurs when two ordered pairs have the same first element and
different second elements, as in Example 2(c).
Up to now we have shown how to identify when a relation is a function for relations defined
by mappings (Example 1) and ordered pairs (Example 2). But relations can also be expressed as
equations. We discuss next the circumstances under which equations are functions.
To determine whether an equation, where y depends on x, is a function, it is often easiest to
solve the equation for y. If any value of x in the domain corresponds to more than one y, the equation
does not define a function; otherwise, it does define a function.

Example 3: Determining Whether an Equation Is a Function

Determine if the equation y = 2x – 5 defines y as a function of x.

Solution:
The equation tells us to take an input x, multiply it by 2, and then subtract 5. For any input x,
these operations yield only one output y. For example, if x = 1, then y = 2(1) – 5 = -3. If x = 3, then
y = 2(3) – 5 = 1. For this reason, the equation is a function.

Example 4: Determining Whether an Equation Is a Function

Determine if the equation x2 + y2 = 1 defines y as a function of x.

Solution:
To determine whether the equation x2 + y2 = 1, which defines the unit circle, is a function,
solve the equation for y.
x2 + y2 = 1
y2 =1 – x2
y = √1 − 𝑥 2

For values of x between -1 and 1, two values of y result. For example, if x = 0, then y = ±1,
so two different outputs result from the same input. This means that the
equation x2 + y2 = 1 does not define a function.

Now, carefully look at the distinction between an ordinary relation and a function

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 43

Conceptualized by: Raymond D. Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
PROBLEM SET NUMBER 1A
Domain and Range of a Function

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Course/Year/Section: _____________________________ Score: ___________________
Direction: Determine whether each relation represents a function. For each function, state the domain
and range. Fill in the table below with the appropriate answer. Use the Scratch Works page for your
solution.
Problems Answer Domain Range
(Function/Not a
Function)
1.

2.

3.

4.

5. {(2, 6), (-3, 6), (4, 9), (2, 10)}

6. {(0, -2), (1, 3), (2, 3), (3, 7)}
7. {(-2, 4), (-1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1)}
8. {(-2, 5), (-1, 3), (3, 7), (4, 14)}
9. {(-2, 4), (-2, 6), (0, 3), (3, 7)}
10. {(1, 3), (2, 3), (3, 3), (4, 3)}
11. (-1, 4), (-3, 3), (-2, 2), (-1, 1), (-4, 0)}
12. {(-2, 16), (-1, 4), (0, 3), (1, 4)}
13. {(4, 5), (5, 6), (6, 7), (7, 8), (8, 9)}
14. {(-1, 0), (1, 2), (1, 3), (2, 4), (3, 5)}
15. {(1, 5), (1, 6), (2, 5), (2, 6), (3, 5)}

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 44

Conceptualized by: Raymond D. Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
PROBLEM SET NUMBER 1B
Domain and Range of a Function

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Course/Year/Section: _____________________________ Score: ___________________
Direction: Determine whether the equation defines y as a function of x. Show your solution below.

1. y = x2

2. y2 = 4 – x2

3. y = 2x2 – 3x + 4

4. y = ±√1 − 2𝑥
3𝑥−1
5. y = 𝑥+2

Solutions:

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 45

Conceptualized by: Raymond D. Garcia, MA Math
Assistant Professor 1 – Apayao State College
Chapter 2: Functions Domain and Range of a Function
SCRATCH WORKS

Calculus I with Analytic Geometry 46