Assignment # 02

Course title : Pre-calculus

Submitted by :Amina Tarar

Submitted to :Prof.Laraib

Submission date :17-12-2024

Department : ADP(CS) 1ST SMESTER

Topic :Functions and their Types

Functions:
In Pre-calculus, functions are mathematical relationships that assign each input value exactly
one output value. They are a foundational concept that helps bridge algebra and calculus,
enabling you to analyze and model real-world situations.

Key Concepts of Functions in Pre-calculus:

 Definition of a Function:
A function is often expressed as , where represents the input (independent variable), and
represents the output (dependent variable). Each input maps to only one output .

 Domain and Range:

Domain:The set of all possible input values (valid -values) for the function.
Range: The set of all possible output values (-values) the function can produce.

Types:
 Linear Functions
 Quadratic Functions
 Polynomial Functions
 Rational Functions
 Exponential Functions
 Logarithmic Functions
 Trigonometric Functions
 Piecewise Functions
 Absolute Value Functions
 Step Functions
 Inverse Functions
 Some Special Functions

Linear Functions:
Linear functions are one of the simplest types of functions in mathematics, with their graph
forming a straight line. They are commonly used to represent relationships with a constant
rate of change.
Standard Form of a Linear Function:
The general form of a linear function is:
F(x) = mx + b
The slope of the line, representing the rate of change or steepness.
The -intercept, where the line crosses the -axis ().
Key Features of Linear Functions:
1. Graph:
A straight line in a 2D plane.
The direction (increasing or decreasing) depends on the sign of .
2. Slope ():
Determines the steepness and direction of the line.
Positive Slope (): Line rises as increases.
Negative Slope (): Line falls as increases.
Zero Slope (): Line is horizontal.
The slope can be calculated from two points, and , using:
m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}

Example:
F(x) = 2x + 3-Intercept: .-Intercept: Set → .
Applications of Linear Functions
Modeling real-world relationships, such as:
Distance-time relationships with constant speed.
Cost analysis (fixed costs + variable costs).
Financial trends like income over time.
Approximating nonlinear functions locally.
Linear functions are foundational in algebra, Pre-calculus, and beyond!

Quadratic Functions:
Quadratic functions are mathematical expressions of the form:
Standard Form :
f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c
a, b, and c are constants.
a≠0, because if a=0 , the function becomes linear.

Key Features of Quadratic Functions:

1. Parabola Shape:
The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola.
If a>0 , the parabola opens upward (like a “U”).
If a<0 , the parabola opens downward (like an inverted “U”).
2. Vertex:
The vertex is the highest or lowest point of the parabola.
3. Axis of Symmetry:
A vertical line passing through the vertex, given by:
x = -\frac{b}{2a}
4. Y-intercept:
The point where the parabola crosses the -axis, found by setting .
Y=c
5. X-intercepts (Roots):
The points where the parabola crosses the -axis, found by solving:
Ax^2 + bx + c = 0
X = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 – 4ac}}{2a}
If b^2_4ac=0 , there is one real root (the vertex lies on the -axis).
If b^2_4ac<0, there are no real roots (the parabola does not intersect the -axis).

Applications:
Quadratic functions are widely used in physics, engineering, economics, and other fields to
model scenarios such as projectile motion, optimization problems, and profit maximization.

Polynomial functions:
A polynomial function is a function such as a quadratic, a cubic, a quartic, and so on,
involving
Only non-negative integer powers of x. We can give a general defintion of a polynomial, and
Define its degree.
Degree:
A polynomial of degree n is a function of the form
f(x) = anx
n + an−1x
n−1 + . . . + a2x
2 + a1x + a0
where the a’s are real numbers (sometimes called the coefficients of the polynomial).
Although
this general formula might look quite complicated, particular examples are much simpler. For
example,
f(x) = 4x
3 − 3x
2+2
is a polynomial of degree 3, as 3 is the highest power of x in the formula. This is called a
cubic
polynomial, or just a cubic. And
f(x) = x
7 − 4x
5+1
is a polynomial of degree 7, as 7 is the highest power of x. Notice here that we don’t need
every
power of x up to 7: we need to know only the highest power of x to find out the degree. An
example of a kind you may be familiar with is
f(x) = 4x
2 − 2x − 4
which is a polynomial of degree 2, as 2 is the highest power of x. This is called a quadratic.
Functions containing other operations, such as square roots, are not polynomials. For
example,
f(x) = 4x
3+
√
x−1
is not a polynomial as it contains a square root. And
f(x) = 5x
4 − 2x
2 + 3/x
is not a polynomial as it contains a ‘divide by x’.
Roots of polynomial functions
You may recall that when (x – a)(x – b) = 0, we know that a and b are roots of the function
F(x) = (x – a)(x – b). Now we can use the converse of this, and say that if a and b are roots,
Then the polynomial function with these roots must be f(x) = (x – a)(x – b), or a multiple of
This.
For example, if a quadratic has roots x = 3 and x = −2, then the function must be f(x) =
(x−3)(x+2), or a constant multiple of this. This can be extended to polynomials of any degree.
For example, if the roots of a polynomial are x = 1, x = 2, x = 3, x = 4, then the function must
Be
F(x) = (x – 1)(x – 2)(x – 3)(x – 4),
Or a constant multiple of this.
Let us also think about the function f(x) = (x – 2)2
. We can see straight away that x – 2 = 0,
So that x = 2. For this function we have only one root. This is what we call a repeated root,
And a root can be repeated any number of times. For example, f(x) = (x – 2)3
(x + 4)4 has
A repeated root x = 2, and another repeated root x = −4. We say that the root x = 2 has
Multiplicity 3, and that the root x = −4 has multiplicity 4.
The useful thing about knowing the multiplicity of a root is that it helps us with sketching the
Graph of the function. If the multiplicity of a root is odd then the graph cuts through the x-
axis
At the point (x, 0). But if the multiplicity is even then the graph just touches the x-axis at the
Point (x, 0).
For example, take the function
F(x) = (x – 3)2
(x + 1)5
(x – 2)3
(x + 2)4
• The root x = 3 has multiplicity 2, so the graph touches the x-axis at (3, 0).
• The root x = −1 has multiplicity 5, so the graph crosses the x-axis at (−1, 0).
• The root x = 2 has multiplicity 3, so the graph crosses the x-axis at (2, 0).
• The root x = −2 has multiplicity 4, so the graph touches the x-axis at (−2, 0)
The applications of polynomials are given below:

 Polynomials are used in physics, chemistry, and electronics.

 It is used in construction.
 Used in Roller coaster design to describe the curves.
 Mathematical models are used in meteorology, to represent weather patterns.
Rational Functions:
Polynomial functions are mathematical expressions involving variables raised to whole
number exponents and their coefficients. They can be written in the general form:
P(x) = a_nx^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_1x + a_0

Key Components:

1. Degree: The highest power of the variable . It determines the overall shape and behavior of
the polynomial.

Example: is a degree 3 polynomial.

2. Coefficients: The numerical factors multiplying each term.

Example: In , the coefficients are 3, -7, and 2.

3. Constant Term: The term without a variable, typically .

Example: In , the constant term is 5.
Applications:
Polynomial functions model physical, financial, and natural phenomena.
They are used in calculus for differentiation and integration.
Polynomial approximations simplify more complex functions.
Exponential Functions:

Exponential functions are a class of mathematical functions of the form:

f(x) = a \cdot b^x

Where:a The initial value or constant multiplier ().

b: The base of the exponential function ( and ).

x: The exponent, which is the variable.
Applications of Exponential Functions:

1. Population Growth:

Model the growth of populations or resources over time.

Example: , where is the growth rate.
2. Radioactive Decay:
Model the decrease of a radioactive substance over time.
Example: , where is the decay constant.
 3. Finance:
Calculate compound interest.

. Physics:

Describe phenomena like cooling (Newton's Law of Cooling) or charging/discharging in

electrical circuit.

Natural Exponential Function:

A special case of exponential functions is the natural exponential function:

f(x) = e^x
Logarithmic Functions:
Logarithmic functions are the inverses of exponential functions. They are used to solve
equations where the variable is in the exponent. The general form of a logarithmic function
is:
f(x) = \log_b(x)

Properties of Logarithms:

1. Product Rule:

\log_b(xy) = \log_b(x) + \log_b(y)

2. Quotient Rule:

\log_b\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \log_b(x) - \log_b(y)

3. Power Rule:

\log_b(x^k) = k \cdot \log_b(x)

4. Change of Base Formula:

\log_b(x) = \frac{\log_k(x)}{\log_k(b)}
Applications :
Scientific Applications:
Measuring the intensity of sound (decibels)
Calculating pH in chemistry
Exponential Growth and Decay:

Used to solve for time or other variables in exponential equations like .

3. Data Analysis:

Logarithmic transformations are used to linearize exponential data.

4. Computer Science:
Algorithms involving logarithmic time complexity ().
Trigonometric Functions:
Trigonometric functions are mathematical functions that relate angles of a triangle to the
lengths of its sides. These functions are widely used in geometry, physics, engineering, and
many other fields.
Trigonometric Identities:
1. Pythagorean Identities:
\sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1
1 + \tan^2(\theta) = \sec^2(\theta) ]
1 + \cot^2(\theta) = \csc^2(\theta)
2. Angle Sum and Difference:
\sin(a \pm b) = \sin(a)\cos(b) \pm \cos(a)\sin(b)
\cos(a \pm b) = \cos(a)\cos(b) \mp \sin(a)\sin(b) ]
\tan(a \pm b) = \frac{\tan(a) \pm \tan(b)}{1 \mp \tan(a)\tan(b)}
3. Double-Angle Formulas:
\sin(2\theta) = 2\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)
\cos(2\theta) = \cos^2(\theta) - \sin^2(\theta) ]
\tan(2\theta) = \frac{2\tan(\theta)}{1 - \tan^2(\theta)}

Applications of Trigonometric Functions:

1. Geometry:

Solve right and oblique triangles using trigonometric ratios.

2. Wave Motion:

Model sound waves, light waves, and other oscillatory phenomena.

3. Engineering:

Analyze forces, vibrations, and alternating current circuits.

4. Astronomy and Navigation:

Determine distances and angles in celestial and terrestrial navigation.
Piecewise Function:
Piecewise functions are functions defined by different expressions for different intervals of
the domain. They are used to model situations where a rule or relationship changes depending
on the input value.

General Form of a Piecewise Function:

f(x) =

\begin{cases}

f_1(x), & \text{if } x \in \text{Interval 1} \\

f_2(x), & \text{if } x \in \text{Interval 2} \\

\vdots & \\
f_n(x), & \text{if } x \in \text{Interval n}

\end{cases}

Where:
Each represents a different expression, valid for a specific interval.

Example of a Piecewise Function:

f(x) =

\begin{cases}

x^2, & \text{if } x < 0 \\

2x + 1, & \text{if } 0 \leq x \leq 3 \\

5, & \text{if } x > 3

\end{cases}
Applications of Piecewise Functions:
1. Real-Life Modeling:
Shipping costs based on weight.
Tax brackets.
Speed limits in zones.
2. Mathematics:
Define absolute value:
|x| =
\begin{cases}
X, & \text{if } x \geq 0 \\
-x, & \text{if } x < 0
\end{cases}
3. Engineering:
Simulate different physical states or conditions.

Find Domain and Range:

Combine the domains and ranges of each piece.
Graph:
Plot each rule for its interval, ensuring proper endpoints (open/closed circles).