Functions and relationships
Contents Objectives: to be able to,
1. Turning equations into functions. • understand the difference between
functions and relationships,
2. The vertical and straight line test.
• test graphically for functions,
3. One to one relationships.
• understanding the difference between
4. Many to one relationships. many-to-one, one-to-many, and one-to-
one mapping.
5. One to many relationships.
Prior knowledge: you should already know
6. Restricting the domain.
how to,
7. Questions.
• understand the terms domain and
range,
• find the inverse of a function,
• use your GDC to graph lines and curves.
Changing the subject
Make x the subject of the equations below. Make a note of each equation as you will
need them for the rest of this lesson.
y 5
1. y 2x 5 x
2 Graph each equation, making a sketch of
each.
2 Consider turning each equation into a
2. y x 3 4 x y 4 3
function. Consider all the possible numbers
as the domain of each function.
1 1 A function exists if each number in the
3. y 2 x
x y 2 range maps to one number in the domain.
Which equations could be functions?
4. y x 3 x y 2 3 A function has an inverse if each number in
the domain maps to a unique number in it’s
range.
Which functions have inverses?
5. y x 2 4 x 5 x y 1 2
Confused? How do the graphs help us?
Horizontal and vertical Test 1
y 2x 5
This could be a function as each y
number in the range maps to one
number only for x. Does it have an inverse?
A vertical line test can be used to Yes, as each x number has a
verify that it could be a function. unique y number it maps to.
Can you draw a vertical line so that it
cuts the graph more than once? A horizontal line test can be used to
verify this.
No, so it is a function. Can a horizontal line be drawn so
that it cuts the graph more than
once?
No, so it is a function with an inverse.
Horizontal and vertical Test 2
2
y x 3 4
It is a function.
It does not have an inverse
as the horizontal line cuts
through the curve twice.
Note that where the line cuts the curve, at this
point one y number maps to two x numbers.
Horizontal and vertical Test 3
1
y 2
It is a function. x
And it has an inverse.
Horizontal and vertical Test 4
y x 3
It is not an inverse as a vertical line cuts through
the curve more than once.
Note that one x number, in this case 9, maps to two y-numbers.
Horizontal and vertical Test 5
y x 2 4 x 5
It is a function.
It does not have an inverse.
One to one relationships
f (x) 2 x 5, x x 5
f 1 (x) , x
2
3 1
-5 -15
-1 -7
9 13
5 5
All one-to-one relationships can be functions with inverses.
Many to one relationships
2
f (x) x 3 4, x f 1 (x) x 4 3, x
Put 4 into the inverse.
3 4
Put 8 into the inverse.
5 8
1 Try again,
4 could be -2
6
13
0
These types of relationships are called many to one. Many numbers in the domain can go
to the same number in the range. Look at another example.
Many-to-one relationships can be functions without inverses.
One to many relationship
y x 3
Try again, x y 2 3
4 could be -2
1 2
-2
4
13
-4
These types of relationships are called one to many. One number in the domain can go to
different numbers in the range. Look at another example.
One-to-many relationships cannot be functions.
Restricting the domain
Consider the function f ( x) ( x -1)2 - 3, x
Does this function have an inverse?
No, it is a one-to many relationship.
Can we alter the domain so that
the function will have an inverse?
Cut the graph at it's vertex.
f (x) (x -1)2 - 3, x 1.
Now we have a one-to-one function.
Restricting the domain
Consider the function g( x) x 2 4 x - 3, x k.
Find the smallest value of k such that the function has an inverse.
g(x) x 2 4 x - 3, x 2.
k 7
From the graph (or by completeing the square) we can see that the vertex is at (-2,7).
Questions
1. Look at each graph below. Classify as c)
either: a function with an inverse; a
function without an inverse; not a function.
a)
A function without an inverse
d)
Not a function
b)
A function with an inverse A function with an inverse
Questions
2. The function f ( x) ( x - 3)2 2, x k. 4. y x 3 2, x
a) Given that f(x) has an inverse, find the
y 3x 2, x 1
value of k that gives the largest range possible.
y x 2 4 x 1, x
k 3
Which of the above is,
b) State the range of f (x).
a) a one-to-many relationship,
range 2
y 3x 2, x 1
3. The function g( x) x 2 8 x 2, x k.
a) Given that g(x) has an inverse, find the b) a one-to-one relationship,
value of k that gives the largest range possible.
y x 3 2, x
k 4
c) a many-to-one relationship?
b) State the range of g(x).
y x 2 4 x 1, x
range 14
