Chapter 2
functions of a
real variable
Section I
Function of real variable
Function of real variable
Inverse of a function
Example
Properties of function :
monotonicity
Monotonicity
Bounded function
Examples
Symmetric and antisymmetric function
Examples
Examples
Convex function
Illustration of convex function
Elementary types of functions
Illustration case n=1
Quadratic Functions (case n=2)
If a, b, c are real numbers with a not equal
to zero, then the function
f ( x ) ax bx c
2
is a quadratic function and its graph is a
parabola.
For f ( x ) a ( x h) 2 k
• If a 0, then the graph of f is a parabola.
– If a > 0, the graph opens upward.
– If a < 0, the graph opens downward. Vertex is (h , k)
• Axis of symmetry: x = h
• f (h) = k is the minimum if a > 0, otherwise the maximum
• Domain = set of all real numbers
• Range: y y k if a < 0. If a > 0, the range is y y k
The general form The vertex form
f ( x ) ax bx c
2
f ( x ) a ( x h) k 2
The vertex The vertex
Axis of symmetry:
Axis of symmetry: x=h
Example
Consider
f ( x) 3x 2 6 x 1
Complete the square to find the vertex.
• Solution:
Factor the coefficient of x2 out of the first two terms:
• f (x) = –3(x2 – 2x) –1
Add 1 to complete the square inside the parentheses. Because of
the –3 outside the parentheses, we have actually added –3, so we
must add +3 to the outside.
f (x) = –3(x2 – 2x +1) –1+3
f (x) = –3(x – 1)2 + 2
• The vertex is (1, 2)
The quadratic function opens down since the
coefficient of the x2 term is –3, which is negative.
Polynomials
Polynomial Function
A polynomial function of degree n in the variable x is a
function defined by
n 1
P( x) an x an1 x
n
a1 x a0
where each ai is real, an 0, and n is a whole number.
• an is called the leading coefficient
• n is the degree of the polynomial
• a0 is called the constant term
Properties of a polynomial
Root of a polynomial P
n
Exemple
Horner’s scheme
Example 1
Theorem
Example
Rational function
Example
Remark
Example
Power function and it’s inverse
Example
Exponential function
Basic Properties of the Graph of
f (x) b , b 0, b 1
x
• All graphs will pass through (0,1) (y intercept)
• All graphs are continuous curves, with no holes of jumps.
• The x axis is a horizontal asymptote.
• If b > 1, then bx increases as x increases.
• If 0 < b < 1, then bx decreases as x increases.
Exponential Graph Logarithmic Graph
Graphs of
inverse
functions are
reflected about
the line y = x
Logarithmic-Exponential Conversions
Study the examples below. You should be able to convert a
logarithmic into an exponential expression and vice versa.
1.
log 4 (16) x 4 16 x 2
x
2. 1 1 3
log 3 ( ) log 3 ( 3 ) log 3 (3 ) 3
27 3
3.
125 5 log5 125 3
3
1
4. 1
81 9 81 9 log 81 9
2
2
Solving Logarithmic Equations
Solve for x:
log 4 x 6 log 4 x 6 3
Solving Logarithmic Equations
Solve for x:
log 4 ( x 6) log 4 ( x 6) 3
Product rule
log 4 ( x 6)( x 6) 3
Special product
log 4 x 36 3
2
Definition of log
43 x 2 36
64 x 2 36
100 x 2
10 x
x 10
Domain and range for some elementry
function
