Understanding Functions in General Mathematics

Aug 10, 2024

General Mathematics Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Lecture for incoming Grade 11 students
  • Focus on the topic of functions within General Mathematics

Key Concepts

Domain and Range

  • Domain: Set of first coordinates (x-values) in a set of ordered pairs
  • Range: Set of second coordinates (y-values) in a set of ordered pairs
  • Example: Ordered pairs
    • (1, -1), (2, -3), (0, 5), (-1, 3), (4, -5)
    • Domain: {-1, 0, 1, 2, 4}
    • Range: {-5, -4, -3, -1, 3, 5}

Definitions

  • Relation: A set of ordered pairs
  • Function: A relation where each element of the domain corresponds to exactly one element of the range

Representations of Functions

Ordered Pairs

  • To determine if a set of ordered pairs is a function, ensure no x-values are repeated with different y-values.
  • Example:
    • Relation F: {(1,2), (2,2), (3,5), (4,5)} is a function
    • Relation G: {(1,3), (1,4), (2,5), (2,6), (3,7)} is not a function (repeated x-values)
    • Relation H: {1,3), (2,6), (3,9)} is a function

Mapping Diagrams

  • Input (domain) and output (range) values are mapped
  • If an input maps to more than one output, it's not a function
  • Examples:
    • Diagram 1: Inputs {10, 20, 30, 40} map to outputs {15, 25, 35, 45} - Function
    • Diagram 2: Input 10 maps to both 20 and 40 - Not a function
    • Diagram 3: Inputs B and C map to the same output - Function

Graphs (using Vertical Line Test)

  • A graph represents a function if and only if each vertical line intersects the graph at most once
  • Examples:
    • Graph with a straight vertical line intersecting at one point - Function
    • Graph intersected by a vertical line at two or more points - Not a function

Equations

  • Linear equations (e.g., y = 2x + 1) typically represent functions
  • Quadratic equations (e.g., x^2 + y - 4 = 0) can represent functions
  • Rational equations (e.g., y = 2x + 1 / x - 1) need verification through graphing
  • Non-function example: x^2 + y^2 = 1 when solved for y gives two values for every x

Practice Questions

Ordered Pairs

  1. Determine if sets of ordered pairs are functions:
    • Set 1: {(-7, 4), (-8, 3), (-7, 7), (-20, 8)} - Not a function
    • Set 2: {(10, 9), (-2, -16), (-6, 7), (5, 8)} - Function
    • Set 3: {(-13, 4), (7, -15), (-13, 9), (6, -12)} - Not a function
    • Set 4: {(6, 0), (-12, -16), (-6, 10), (20, -7)} - Function

Mapping Diagrams

  1. Determine if mapping diagrams represent functions:
    • Diagram 1: Inputs {3}, outputs {0, 2, 4, 6} - Not a function
    • Diagram 2: Inputs {X, Y, U, V, L}, outputs {3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 15} - Function

Graphs

  1. Using the vertical line test:
    • Graph 1: Not a function
    • Graph 2: Function

Equations

  1. Determine if equations describe a function:
    • y = 2x + 1 - Function
    • x^2 + y^2 = 9 - Not a function (two values for y for each x)

Conclusion

  • Reviewed and practiced identifying functions from ordered pairs, mapping diagrams, graphs, and equations
  • Next lesson: Determining domain and range from equations
  • References and further reading provided

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