What is the meaning of function in mathematics

What is a function? A function is defined as a relation between a set of inputs having one output each. In simple words, a function is a relationship between inputs where each input is related to exactly one output. Every function has a domain and codomain or range. A function is generally denoted by f(x) where x is the input. The general representation of a function is y = f(x).

These functions are also classified into various types, which we will discuss here. Check Relations and Functions lesson for more information.

What is a Function in Maths?

A function in maths is a special relationship among the inputs (i.e. the domain) and their outputs (known as the codomain) where each input has exactly one output, and the output can be traced back to its input.

Types of Functions in Maths

An example of a simple function is f(x) = x2. In this function, the function f(x) takes the value of “x” and then squares it. For instance, if x = 3, then f(3) = 9. A few more examples of functions are: f(x) = sin x, f(x) = x2 + 3, f(x) = 1/x, f(x) = 2x + 3, etc.

There are several types of functions in maths. Some important types are:

• Injective function or One to one function: When there is mapping for a range for each domain between two sets.
• Surjective functions or Onto function: When there is more than one element mapped from domain to range.
• Polynomial function: The function which consists of polynomials.
• Inverse Functions: The function which can invert another function.

These were a few examples of functions. It should be noted that there are various other functions like into function, algebraic functions, etc.

Learn here all the functions:

• One To One Function
• Onto Function
• Polynomial Functions
• Inverse Functions
• Even function

What is a Function in Algebra?

A function is an equation for which any x that can be put into the equation will produce exactly one output such as y out of the equation. It is represented as;

y = f(x)

Where x is an independent variable and y is a dependent variable.

For example:

• y = 2x + 1
• y = 3x – 2
• y = 4y
• y = 5/x

What is a function on a graph?

A function f(x) can be represented on a graph by knowing the values of x. As we know, y = f(x), so if start putting the values of x we can get the related value for y. Hence, we can plot a graph using x and y values in a coordinate plane. Let us see an example:

Suppose, y = x + 3

Then,

• when x = 0, y = 3
• when x = -2, y = -2 + 3 = 1
• when x = -1, y = -1 + 3 = 2
• when x = 1, y = 1 + 3 = 4
• when x = 2, y = 2 + 3 = 5

Thus, with the help of these values, we can plot the graph for function x + 3.

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Functions are relations where each input has a particular output. This lesson covers the concepts of functions in mathematics and the different types of functions using various examples for better understanding.

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What are Functions in Mathematics?

A function is a relation between a set of inputs and a set of permissible outputs with the property that each input is related to exactly one output. Let A & B be any two non-empty sets; mapping from A to B will be a function only when every element in set A has one end, only one image in set B.

Example:

Another definition of functions is that it is a relation “f” in which each element of set “A” is mapped with only one element belonging to set “B”. Also in a function, there can’t be two pairs with the same first element.

A Condition for a Function:

Set A and Set B should be non-empty.

In a function, a particular input is given to get a particular output. So, A function f: A->B denotes that f is a function from A to B, where A is a domain and B is a co-domain.

• For an element, a, which belongs to A, a ∈ A, a unique element b, b ∈ B is there such that (a,b) ∈ f.

The unique element b to which f relates a, is denoted by f(a) and is called f of a, or the value of f at a, or the image of a under f.

• The range of f (image of a under f)
• It is the set of all values of f(x) taken together.
• Range of f = { y ∈ Y | y = f (x), for some x in X}

A real-valued function has either P or any one of its subsets as its range. Further, if its domain is also either P or a subset of P, it is called a real function.

Vertical Line Test:

Vertical line test is used to determine whether a curve is a  function or not. If any curve cuts a vertical line at more than one points then the curve is not a function.

Representation of Functions

Functions are generally represented as f(x).

Let , f(x) = x3.

It is said as f of x is equal to x cube.

Functions can also be represented by g(), t(),… etc.

Steps for Solving Functions

Question: Find the output of the function g(t) = 6t2 + 5 at

(i) t = 0

(ii) t = 2

Solution:

The given function is g(t) = 6t2 + 5

(i) At t = 0, g(0) = 6(0)2 + 5 = 5

(ii) At t = 2, g(2) = 6(2)2 + 5 = 29

There are various types of functions in mathematics which are explained below in detail. The different function types covered here are:

• One – one function (Injective function)
• Many – one function
• Onto – function (Surjective Function)
• Into – function
• Polynomial function
• Linear Function
• Identical Function
• Quadratic Function
• Rational Function
• Algebraic Functions
• Cubic Function
• Modulus Function
• Signum Function
• Greatest Integer Function
• Fractional Part Function
• Even and Odd Function
• Periodic Function
• Composite Function
• Constant Function
• Identity Function

Practice: Find the missing equations from the above graphs.

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Even and Odd Functions

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One – one function (Injective function)

If each element in the domain of a function has a distinct image in the co-domain, the function is said to be one – one function.

For examples f; R R given by f(x) = 3x + 5 is one – one.

Many – one function

On the other hand, if there are at least two elements in the domain whose images are same, the function is known as many to one.

For example f : R R given by f(x) = x2 + 1 is many one.

Onto – function (Surjective Function)

A function is called an onto function if each element in the co-domain has at least one pre – image in the domain.

Into – function

If there exists at least one element in the co-domain which is not an image of any element in the domain then the function will be Into function.

(Q) Let A = {x : 1 < x < 1} = B be a mapping f : A B, find the nature of the given function (P). F(x) = |x|

Solution for x = 1 & -1

Hence, it is many one the Range of f(x) from [-1, 1] is [0, 1], which is not equal to the co-domain.

Hence, it is into function.

Lets say we have function,

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)=\left\{\begin{matrix} x^2 & ; & x\geq 0\\ -x^2 & ; & x<0 \end{matrix}\right.\end{array} \)

For different values of Input, we have different output hence it is one – one function also it manage is equal to its co-domain hence it is onto also.

Polynomial function

A real-valued function f : P → P defined by

\(\begin{array}{l}y = f(a) = h_{0}+h_{1}a+…..+h_{n}a^{n}\end{array} \)

• N = a non-negative integer.
• The degree of the Polynomial function is the highest power in the expression.
• If the degree is zero, it’s called a constant function.
• If the degree is one, it’s called a linear function. Example: b = a+1.
• Graph type: Always a straight line.

So, a polynomial function can be expressed as :

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)= a_{n}x^{n}+a_{n-1}x^{n-1}+…..+a_{1}x^{1}+a_{0}\end{array} \)

The highest power in the expression is known as the degree of the polynomial function. The different types of polynomial functions based on the degree are:

1. The polynomial function is called a Constant function if the degree is zero.
2. The polynomial function is called a Linear if the degree is one.
3. The polynomial function is Quadratic if the degree is two.
4. The polynomial function is Cubic if the degree is three.

Linear Function

All functions in the form of ax + b where a, b ∈ R & a ≠ 0 are called linear functions. The graph will be a straight line. In other words, a linear polynomial function is a first-degree polynomial where the input needs to be multiplied by m and added to c. It can be expressed by f(x) = mx + c.

For example, f(x) = 2x + 1 at x = 1

f(1) = 2.1 + 1 = 3

f(1) = 3

Another example of linear function is y = x + 3

Identical Function

Two functions f and g are said to be identical if

(a) The domain of f = domain of g

(b) The range of f = the Range of g

(c) f(x) = g(x) ∀ x ∈ Df & Dg

For example f(x) = x

\(\begin{array}{l}g(x) = \frac{1}{1/x}\end{array} \)

Solution: f(x) = x is defined for all x

But

\(\begin{array}{l}g(x) = \frac{1}{1/x}\end{array} \)

Hence it is identical for x ∈ R – {0}

Quadratic Function

All functions in the form of y = ax2 + bx + c where a, b, c ∈ R, a ≠ 0 will be known as Quadratic function. The graph will be parabolic.

\(\begin{array}{l}\text{At}\  x=\frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2}\end{array} \)

In simpler terms,

A Quadratic polynomial function is a second degree polynomial, and it can be expressed as;

F(x) = ax2 + bx + c, and a is not equal to zero.

Where a, b, c are constant, and x is a variable.

Example, f(x) = 2x2 + x – 1 at x = 2

If x = 2, f(2) = 2.22 + 2 – 1 = 9

For Example: y = x2

Read More: Quadratic Function Formula

Rational Function

These are the real functions of the type

\(\begin{array}{l}\frac{f(a)}{g(a)}\end{array} \)

• For example f : P – {– 6} → P defined by

  \(\begin{array}{l}f(a) = \frac{f(a+1)}{g(a+2)}\forall a\in P – {-6},\end{array} \)

  is a rational function.
• Graph type: Asymptotes (the curves touching the axes lines).

Algebraic Functions

An algebraic equation is known as a function that consists of a finite number of terms involving powers and roots of independent variable x and fundamental operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

For Example,

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)=5x^{3}-2x^{2}+3x+6\end{array} \)

Cubic Function

A cubic polynomial function is a polynomial of degree three and can be expressed as;

F(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d and a is not equal to zero.

In other words, any function in the form of f(x) = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, d ∈ R & a ≠ 0

For example: y = x3

Domain ∈ R

Range ∈ R

Modulus Function

The real function f : P → P defined by f (a) = |a| = a when a ≥ 0. and f(a) = -a when a < 0 ∀ a ∈ P is called the modulus function.

• Domain of f = P
• Range of f = P+ U {0}

\(\begin{array}{l}y=|x|=\left\{\begin{matrix} x & x\geq 0\\ -x & x<0 \end{matrix}\right.\end{array} \)

Domain: R

Range: [0, ∞) 

Signum Function

The real function f : P → P is defined by

\(\begin{array}{l}\left\{\begin{matrix}\frac{\left | f(a) \right |}{f(a)}, a\neq 0 \\ 0, a=0 \end{matrix}\right. = \left\{\begin{matrix} 1,if x>0\\ 0, if x=0\\ -1, if x<0\end{matrix}\right.\end{array} \)

is called the signum function or sign function. (gives the sign of real number)

• Domain of f = P
• Range of f = {1, 0, – 1}

For example: signum (100) = 1

signum (log 1) = 0

signum (x21) =1

Greatest Integer Function

The real function f : P → P defined by f (a) = [a], a  ∈ P assumes the value of the greatest integer less than or equal to a, is called the greatest integer function.

• Thus f (a) = [a] = – 1 for – 1 ⩽ a < 0
• f (a) = [a] = 0 for 0 ⩽ a < 1
• [a] = 1 for 1 ⩽ a < 2
• [a] = 2 for 2 ⩽ a < 3 and so on…

The greatest integer function always gives integral output. The Greatest integral value that has been taken by the input will be the output.

For example: [4.5] = 4

Domain ∈ R

Range ∈ Integers

Fractional Part Function

{x} = x – [x]

It always gives fractional value as output.

For example:- {4.5} = 4.5 – [4.5]

= 4.5 – 4 = 0.5

{6.99} = 6.99 – [6.99]

= 6.99 – 6 = 0.99

{7} = 7 – [7] = 7 –7 = 0

Even and Odd Function

If f(x) = f(-x) then the function will be even function & f(x) = -f(-x) then the function will be odd function

Example 1:

f(x) = x2sinx

f(-x) = -x2sinx

Here, f(x) = -f(-x)

It is an odd function.

Example 2:

\(\begin{array}{l}f(x)={{x}^{2}}\end{array} \)

and

\(\begin{array}{l}f(-x)={{x}^{2}}\end{array} \)

f(x) = f(-x)

It is an even function.

Periodic Function

A function is said to be a periodic function if a positive real number T exists, such that f(u – t) = f(x) for all x ε Domain.

For example f(x) = sin x

f(x + 2π) = sin (x + 2π) = sin x fundamental

then period of sin x is 2π

Composite Function

Let A, B, C be three non-empty sets

Let f: A → B & g : G → C be two functions, then gof : A → C. This function is called the composition of f and g given gof (x) = g(f(x)).

For example f(x) = x2 & g(x) = 2x

f(g(x)) = f(2x) = (2x)2 = 4x2

g(f(x)) = g(x2) = 2x2

Constant Function

The function f : P → P is defined by b = f (x) = D, a ∈ P, where D is a constant ∈ P, is a constant function.

• Domain of f = P
• Range of f = {D}
• Graph type: A straight line which is parallel to the x-axis.

In simple words, the polynomial of 0th degree where f(x) = f(0) = a0 = c. Regardless of the input, the output always results in a constant value. The graph for this is a horizontal line.

Identity Function

P= set of real numbers

The function f : P → P defined by b = f (a) = a for each a ∈ P is called the identity function.

• Domain of f = P
• Range of f = P
• Graph type: A straight line passing through the origin.

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