Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Your notes

Maths: Extended
Functions
Contents
Introduction to Functions
Domain & Range
Composite Functions
Inverse Functions

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 Introduction to Functions
Your notes
Introduction to Functions
What is a function?
A function is a combination of one or more mathematical operations that takes a set of
numbers and changes them into another set of numbers
The numbers being put into the function are often called the inputs
The numbers coming out of the function are often called the outputs
A function may be thought of as a mathematical “machine”
For example, for the function “double the number and add 1”, the two mathematical
operations are "multiply by 2 (×2)" and "add 1 (+1)"
Putting 3 in to the function would give 2 × 3 + 1 = 7
Putting -4 in would give 2 × (-4) + 1 = -7

Putting x in would give 2x +1

What is function notation?
A function, f, with input x can be written as f ( x ) = ...
Letters other than f can be used
The letters g, h and j are common but any letter can be used
Typically, a new letter will be used to define a new function in a question
For example, the function with the rule “triple the number and subtract 4” would be
written

f x
( ) = 3x – 4
In such cases, "x " is the input and "f ( x " is the output
)

Sometimes functions don’t have names like f and are just written as y = …

E.g. y = 3x – 4
How does a function work?
A function has an input x and an output f ( x )

If the input is 2, then the output is f 2 ( )

If the input is m , then the output is f ( m )

If the input is t + 5 , then the output is f t + 5 ( )

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 You cannot simplify this output any further
If the function is known, the output can be calculated
Your notes
For example, given the function f ( x ) = 2x + 1
f 3 ( =2×3+1=7
)

f ( −4 =2× −4 +1= −7
) ( )

f ( a = 2a + 1
)

If the output is known, an equation can be formed and solved to find the input

For example, given the function f ( x ) = 2x + 1

If f = 15, then form an equation by replacing f x
( x ) ( ) with 2x +1
2x + 1 = 15
Solving this equation gives an input of 7

Note that f ( x ) = 15 and f ( 15 are very different things:

)

f x
( ) = 15 means an input of x gives an output of 15
f 15 means substitute the input 15 into the function
( )

What is a mapping diagram?

A mapping diagram shows a set of different inputs going into the function to become a
set of different outputs
Transforming inputs into outputs is called mapping

For example, a mapping diagram for the function f ( x ) = x + 3 where x ≥ 3 could be

shown as:

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Worked Example Your notes
A function is defined as f ( x ) = 3x 2 − 2x + 1 .
(a) Find f 7 .
( )

The input is x = 7, so substitute 7 into the expression everywhere you see an x

f 7 =3 7 2−2 7 +1 ( ) ( ) ( )

Calculate

f 7 ( ) = 3 49 − 14 + 1 ( )

= 147 − 14 + 1
f 7 = 134
( )

+
(b) Find f x 3 , giving your answer in the form ax 2
( ) + bx + c where a , b and c
are integers to be found.

( +
The input is x 3 so substitute
) ( x + 3 into the expression everywhere you see
)

an x
This is like replacing x with x 3 + ( )

f x +3 =3 x +3 2−2 x +3 +1
( ) ( ) ( )

Expand the brackets and simplify

Use that x 3 2
( + = + ) x 3 x 3 ( ) ( + )

Be careful with negative signs

f x +3
( ) = 3 x 2 + 6x + 9 − 2 x + 3 + 1
( ) ( )

= 3x 2 + 18x + 27 − 2x − 6 + 1
= 3x 2 + 16x + 22
f x + 3 = 3 x 2 + 16 x + 22 ( )

(a = 3, b = 16, c = 22)

A second function is defined by g ( x ) = 3x – 4 .

(c) Find the value of x for which g ( x ) = − 16.
This is not saying substitute 16 into the function
It says that an input x is substituted into g giving the output -16
To find the input, form an equation by replacing g x with 3x 4 ( ) −
3x − 4 = − 16
Solve the equation (for example, by adding 4 to both sides, then dividing by 3)

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 3x − 4 = − 16
3x = − 12 Your notes
12
x=−
3
x = −4

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 Domain & Range
Your notes
Domain & Range
How are functions related to graphs?
Functions can be represented as graphs on x and y axes
The x-axis values are the inputs
The y-axis values are the outputs

To see what graph to plot, replace f ( x ) = ... with y = ...

What is the domain?

The domain of a function is the set of all inputs that the function is allowed to take
Domains can be described in words
Domains must refer to x
not y or f(x)
You can use "not equal to" ≠ if needed
You can use inequality signs if needed

What are examples of domains?

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 Examples of domains are below:

1 Your notes
f x
( ) =x takes any x value except 0 (you cannot divide by 0)

The domain is "all values of x except 0", or simply "x ≠ 0"

f x
( ) = x takes any x value that is not negative (you cannot take the square root
of a negative)
The domain is "x ≥ 0"

f x
( ) = x 2 takes any x value (negative x values are fine as inputs)
The domain is "all values of x"

f x
( ) = 3x + 2 takes any x value
The domain is "all values of x"

What are restricted domains and values excluded from

domains?
Some domains are restricted by choice

f x
( ) = 3x + 2 with the domain 0 < x < 5
This question wants to concentrate on that domain only (even though bigger
domains exist)
Some domains must exclude certain values (or sets of values)

1
f x
( ) = x −1 x +7
( ) ( )
must exclude x = 1 and x = -7 from any domain

These two inputs make the function undefined (dividing by zero)

f x
( ) = x − 3 must exclude x < 3 from any domain
Any input in x < 3 leads to square-rooting a negative

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 Your notes

What is the range?

The range of a function is the set of all outputs that the function gives out
Ranges can be described in words
Ranges must refer to f(x)
not x or y
You can use "not equal to" ≠ if needed
You can use inequality signs if needed
Ranges depend on domains
Examples of ranges are below:

f x
( ) = 3x + 2 with the domain x > 0
If x = 0 then f(0) = 3(0) + 2 = 2
The range is "f(x) > 2"
This is because if all inputs are greater than 0, all outputs will be greater than 2
This could be seen from a sketch or by substituting inputs of x > 0 into f(x)

f x
( ) = x 2 with domain "all values of x"
The range is f(x) ≥ 0
This is because all values of x get squared (so no negative outputs are created)

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 Any negative value that goes in comes out positive
(0 goes in and comes out as 02 = 0) Your notes
How can I use graphs to find ranges?
Ranges are easier if you know the shapes of different types of graphs

1
For example, the shapes of y = x , y = x 2 , y = x 3 , trig graphs, etc
They may also involve graph transformations

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 Your notes

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Sketching a function in an exam can help to "see" both the domain and range of
that function

Worked Example
Two functions are given by

1
f x
( ) = 10 − x gx
( ) = 2x − 1
(a) If the domain of the function f is 2 < x ≤ 4 , find the range.
The domain is the set of inputs
Substitute x = 2 into f(x) to find its output

f 2
( ) = 10 − 2
=8
Substitute x = 4 into f(x) to find its output

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 f 4
( ) = 10 − 4
=6 Your notes
Think of f(x) = 10 - x as a graph

the graph of y = 10 − x
This straight-line graph has a negative gradient
Between x = 2 and x = 4 the graph decreases from a height of 8 to a height of 6
Relate this to outputs
all outputs are between 6 and 8
Write down the range using f(x)
Remember that the inequality is "equal to" at x = 4, f(x) = 6
(this is the opposite order of "equal to" in the domain)

The range is 6≤f x < 8

( )

(b) Write down the value of x that must be excluded from the domain of function g .

An input cannot cause the function to divide by zero

Find out when "dividing by zero" would happen

2x − 1 = 0
Solve to find this value of x (the one that must be excluded)

2x = 1
1
x=
2

x = 12 must be excluded from the domain

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 Composite Functions
Your notes
Composite Functions
What is a composite function?
A composite function is a function applied to the output of another function
The input goes through the 1st function to become an output
This output goes through the 2nd function to become a new output

What notation is used for composite functions?

If f ( x and g x are two functions, then
) ( )

g f x is a composite function
( ( ))

It means the input x goes through function f first

This gives the output f ( x )

Then this output, f ( x , becomes the input of function g , giving g f x

) ( ( ))

gf x is the shorthand notation used for g f x

( ) ( ( ))

It means do f first, then g

The order of applying the functions goes from right to left

(the letter nearest the bracket goes first)
This is often the opposite of what people expect!

fg x means do g x first then f x second

( ) ( ) ( )

ff x means apply f x twice!

( ) ( )

This can be written f 2 ( x )

This does not mean the same as ⎢⎣ f

⎡
( x )
⎤
⎥ 2
⎦

Examiner Tips and Tricks

A good trick in the exam is to write brackets around gf ( x to make it g f x , to see
) ( ( ))

that it is "g" of "f(x)".

How do I substitute numbers into composite

functions?

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 If you are putting a number into a composite function
put the number into the function closest to (x) Your notes
then make the output of the first function the input of the second function

1
For example, if f ( x ) = 2x + 1 and g x = x ( )

to find gf 2 : ( )

Put the 2 in as the input of f first

f 2
( ) =2 2 +1=5 ( )

Then put 5 in as the input of g

1
So gf 2 ( ) =g f 2 =g 5 = 5
( ( )) ( )

to find fg 2 : ( )

Put the 2 in as the input of g first

1
g2( ) =2
1
Then put in as the input of f
2
1 1
So fg 2 ( ) =f g 2 =f ( ( ))
⎛
⎜
⎜
2
⎞
⎟
⎟ =2 ⎛
⎜
⎜
2
⎞
⎟
⎟ +1=2
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

to find ff 2 : ( )

f 2
( =2×2+1=5
)

f 5 = 2 × 5 + 1 = 11
( )

so ff 2 = 11 ( )

How do I find composite functions algebraically?

If you are using algebra, substitute the whole algebraic expression as your input

1
For example, if f ( x ) = 2x + 1 and g x = x ( )

1 1 2
fg x ( ) =f g x =f ( ( ))
⎛
⎜
⎜
x
⎞
⎟
⎟ =2× ⎛
⎜
⎜
x
⎞
⎟
⎟ +1= x +1
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠

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 1
gf x ( ) = g f x = g 2x + 1 = 2x + 1
( ( )) ( )

Your notes
ff x( ) = f f x = f 2x + 1 = 2 2x + 1 + 1 which simplifies to
( ( )) ( ) ( )

ff x( ) = 4x + 3

Worked Example
In this question, f ( x ) = 2x − 1 and g x = ( ) ( x + 2 2. )

(a) Find fg 4 .
( )

"g" is on the inside of the composite function, so apply g first

g4
( ) = 4 + 2 2 = 62 = 36
( )

Now apply the function "f" to 36

f 36 ( ) = 2 36 − 1 ( )

= 72 − 1
fg 4 = 71
( )

(b) Find gf ( x . )

"f" is on the inside of the composite function so substitute the function f(x) into g(x)
It can help to write gf x gf x ( ) = ( ( ))

gf x ( ) = g f x = g 2x − 1 =
( ( )) ( ) (( 2x − 1 ) +2 2 )

Simplify inside the bracket

gf x ( ) = 2x − 1 + 2 2
( )

gf x = 2 x + 1 2
( ) ( )

You do not need to expand the answer

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 Inverse Functions
Your notes
Inverse Functions
What is an inverse function?
An inverse function does the opposite (reverse) operation of the function it came from
E.g. If a function “doubles the number then adds 1”
Then its inverse function “subtracts 1, then halves the result”
The same inverse operations are used when solving an equation or rearranging a
formula
An inverse function performs the inverse operations in the reverse order

What notation is used for inverse functions?

The inverse function of f ( x is written as f −1 x
) ( ) =…
For example, if f ( x ) = 2x + 1
x −1 x −1
The inverse function is f −1 ( x ) = 2
or f −1: x ↦
2
If f ( a ) = b then f −1 b = a( )

For example

f 3
( = 2 × 3 + 1 = 7 (inputting 3 into f gives 7)
)

7−1
f −1 7 = = 3 (inputting 7 into f −1 gives back 3)
2
( )

How do I find an inverse function algebraically?

The process for finding an inverse function is as follows:

Write the function as y = ...

= 2x + 1 becomes y = 2x + 1
E.g. The function f ( x )

Swap the x s and y s to get x =…

E.g. x = 2y + 1

The letters change but no terms move

Rearrange the expression to make y the subject again

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 x −1
= 2y + 1 becomes x − 1 = 2y so y =
E.g. x
2 Your notes
Replace y with f −1 x =… (or f −1: x ↦… ) ( )

x −1
E.g. f −1 x =
2
( )

This is the inverse function

y should not appear in the final answer

How are inverse functions and composite functions
related?
The composite function of f followed by f −1 (or the other way round) cancels out

ff−1 x( ) = f −1f x = x ( )

If you apply a function to x, then apply its inverse function, you get back x
Whatever happened to x gets undone
f and f-1 cancel each other out when applied together

For example, solve f −1 ( x ) = 5 where f x = 2x ( )

Finding the inverse function f −1 ( x algebraically in this case is tricky

)

(It is impossible if you haven't studied logarithms!)

Instead, you can take f of both sides of f −1 ( x ) = 5 and use the fact that ff−1
cancel each other out:

ff−1 x ( ) =f 5 ( ) which cancels to x =f 5 ( ) giving x = 25 = 32

How do I find the domain and range of an inverse
function?
The domain of an inverse function has exactly the same values as the range of the
original function

3
E.g. If f ( x ) = x + 1 has a range of f x > 5 ( )

3
then its inverse function, f −1 ( x ) = x − 1 , has the domain x > 5
Remember to always write domains in terms of x

The range of an inverse function has exactly the same values as the domain of the
original function

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 3
E.g. If f ( x ) = x + 1 has a domain of x < − 1
Your notes
3
then its inverse function, f −1 ( x ) = x − 1 , has the range f −1 x < − 1 ( )

Remember to always write ranges in terms of their function, f −1 ( x )

Worked Example
A function f ( x ) = 5 − 3x has the domain −2 < x ≤ 7 .
(a) Use algebra to find f −1 ( x .
)

Write the function in the form y = 5 − 3x and then swap the x and y
y = 5 − 3x
x = 5 − 3y
Rearrange the expression to make y the subject again

x = 5 − 3y
x + 3y = 5
3y = 5 − x
5−x
y=
3
Rewrite the answer using inverse function notation

f −1 x = 5 −3 x
( )

(b) Find the domain of f −1 ( x .

)

The domain of the inverse function is the range of the original function

Find the range of f ( ) −2 and f 7

x by first finding f ( ) ( )

f −2 = 5 − 3 −2 = 5 + 6 = 11
( ) ( )

f 7 = 5 − 3 7 = 5 − 21 = − 16
( ) ( )

= −
The graph of y 5 3x is a straight line with a negative gradient
Between x = -2 and x = 7 the graph decreases from a height of 11 to a height of -16

The range of f ( x is −16 ≤ f x

) ( ) < 11

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Note that the inequality is "equal to" at x = 7, f(x) = -16
(this is the opposite order of "equal to" in the domain)
Your notes
The domain of f −1 x (takes the same values as range of f
) ( x )

Write down the domain of f −1 x ( )

(Remember that domains are always written in terms of x )

− 16 ≤ x < 11

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