Functions (Domain and Range)

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
EM105B :ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS

LECTURER: MR MUDAU
GROUP: POLY-TECH
NOTES: FUNCTIONS (DOMAIN AND RANGE)
Introduction
If, say y depends on , say, x then y is said to be a function of x and the

relationship is expressed as y  f(x) ; x is called the independent variable and y
is the dependent variable. In engineering and science, corresponds values are
obtained as a result of tests or experiments.
Here are some types of functions:

i. Straight line: y  mx  c
ii. Quadratic : y  ax 2  bx  c
iii. Cubic : y  ax 3  bx 2  cx  d
iv. Trigonometric
v. Circle: x 2  y 2  r 2
x 2 y2
vi. Hyperbola:  1
a 2 b2
vii. Logarithmic: y  log x
viii. Exponential: y  e x
ix. Polar: r  f  
Domain of a function
The domain of any given function is the set of input values for which the function is
defined.
Problem 1
i. f(x)  x 2 . Defined for all values of x i.e the domain is 

ii. f(x)  2 x . Defined for all values of x i.e the domain is 
iii. f(x)  x . Defined for x  0 i.e the domain is 0,  
Problem 2 :Find the domain of f(x)  4  3x - x 2
Solution:
We need 4  3x - x 2  0 and solving this inequality we see that this is only true for
- 1  x  4 or [-1,4]
1
Problem 3: Find the domain of f(x) 
x  3x 2  2 x
3
Solution:
Since x 3  3x 2  2 x  x(x - 1)(x - 2). we see that this function is defined for all
x , x  0, x  1, x  2
5x
Problem 4: Find the domain of f(x)  2
x  3x - 4
Solution:
x 3  3x - 4  0
x - 4x  1  0
x  4 or x  -1
Thus all real numbers expect -1 and 4. In interval notation this is written
- ,-1  1,4  4,  
2
Problem 5: Find the domain of f(x) 
x -1
Solution:
We must be very careful with this function since it involves both a rational and a
square root. The square root requires the radicand to be greater than or equal to
zero, that is x - 1  0 . However, since the square root is in the denominator and we
can not divide by zero, we cannot let x - 1  0 . Thus,
x -1  0
x 1
In interval notation this is written 1,  
Problem 6: Find the domain of f(x)  2x  3  1

Solution:
Since this function involves a square root we must make sure the radicand in
non-negative
2x  3  0
2 x  3
-3
x
2
3
Thus the domain is all real numbers greater than or equal to - . In the interval
2
 3 
notation this is written - ,  
 2 
Try this: For each of the following functions find its domain i.e the set of points
where each function is defined.
1. f(x)  x 2  5x - 7
2. f(x)  x 3  x
3. f(x)  3 x -1
4. f(x)  x - 1
1
5. f(x)  sin  
x
1
6. f(x) 
x-2
x -1
7. f(x)  2 5
x  2x  1
8. f(x)  x - 6  2
1
9. f(x)  2
x  3x - 10
1
10. f(x)  x
e 1
11. f(x)  x  1
12. f(x)  1 - cosx
2x 2  3
13. f(x) 

x2  9 x2  4 
14. f(x)  logx - 2 
 x 
15. f(x)  log 2 
 x 1
2x -3
16. f(x)  e x
x-2
17. f(x) 
x -5
x -5
18. f(x) 
x-2
2x 2  3
19. f(x)  2
x 1
20. f(x)  2x 5  6 x 3  8x 2  5
Range of a function
We have already discussed the domain of a function f(x) i.e, the values of x for
which f(x) is defined. Next we consider the values f(x) we get as x varies over
the domain. This is, not surprisingly, called the range of f(x).
Problem 1: Find the range of the following functions
i. f(x)  x . The range is 

ii. f(x)  x 2 . The range is all positive numbers as x 2  0 i.e 0, 
iii. f(x)  sinx . The range is given by  1,1 as - 1  sinx  1
iv. f(x)  x . The range is 0, 
v. f(x)  x 2  2 x  3 (Complete the square first) yields f(x)  x  1  2 . Hence
2
range is 2,  
1
vi. f(x)  . The range is all values expect 0 or   0
x
Problem 2: Find the range of f(x)  -x 2  6 x  5

Solution:
- x - 3  14
2
The range is - ,14
Problem 3: Find the range of f(x)  x  3  2

Solution:
x3  0
x  3  2  2
The range is - 2,  
1
Problem 4: Find the range of f(x) 
x-2
Solution:
y  , y  0
x
Problem 5: Find the range of f(x) 
x 1
Solution:
All real numbers
Try this: For each of the following functions find its range i.e the set of points where
each function is defined.
1. f(x)  5x  3
2. y  -7x - 4
3. y  2x 2  1
4. y  x  9
5. y  4 - x 2
6
6. y 
x2
1
7. y 
x-2
2
8. y 
2x - 5
1
9. y  x - 2 
x -5
1
10. y 
1
1-
x-2
1
11. f(x)  x
e 1
12. f(x)  logx - 2 
13. f(x)  1 - cosx
14. f(x)  x - 6  2
15. f(x)  3 x -1

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DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

EM105B :ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS

If, say y depends on , say, x then y is said to be a function of x and the

Here are some types of functions:

i. f(x)  x 2 . Defined for all values of x i.e the domain is 

In interval notation this is written 1,  

Problem 6: Find the domain of f(x)  2x  3  1

Problem 1: Find the range of the following functions

i. f(x)  x . The range is 

Problem 2: Find the range of f(x)  -x 2  6 x  5

The range is - ,14

Problem 3: Find the range of f(x)  x  3  2

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