Function: Edexcel IAL A Level Pure Mathematics 3 Revision Notes

Edexcel IAL A Level Pure Mathematics 3
Revision Notes
Function
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3.1 Language of Functions
Language of functions
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What are mappings?
 A mapping takes an ‘input’ from one set of values to an ‘output’ in another
 Mappings can be
o ‘many-to-one’ (many ‘input’ values go to one ‘output’ value)
o ‘one-to-many’
o ‘many-to-many’
o ‘one-to-one’
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What is the difference between a mapping and a function?
 A function is a mapping where every ‘input’ value maps to a single ‘output’

 Many-to-one and one-to-one mappings are functions
 Mappings which have many possible outputs are not functions
Notation
 f(x), g(x), etc
eg. f(x) = x2 – 3x + 2
 Alternative notation
eg. f : x ↦ x2 – 3x + 2
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Sets of numbers
 All numbers can be organised into different sets ℕ, ℤ, ℚ, ℝ
 So ℕ is a subset of ℤ etc
 ℤ– would be the set of negative integers only
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Domain
 The domain of a function is the set of values that are allowed to be the ‘input’
 A function is only fully defined once its domain has been stated
 Restrictions on a domain can turn many-to-one functions into one-to-one functions
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Range
 The range of a function is the set of values of all possible ‘outputs’

 The type of values in the range depend on the domain
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Composite and inverse functions
 Composite functions
o fg(x) = f[g(x)]
o This means “f of g(x)” – so g(x) first, then f
 Inverse functions
o f-1(x)
o The inverse of a function only exists if the function is one-to-one
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Worked Example
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3.2 Composite Functions
Composite functions
 Composite functions refers to one function being applied after another

 The ‘output’ of one function will be the ‘input’ of the next one
 Sometimes called function-of-a-function
How do I work with composite functions
 Recognise the notation
o fg(x) means “f of g of x”
o Start with x, do g of it …
o … then do f of that
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Special cases
 fg(x) and gf(x) are generally different but can sometimes be the same

 ff(x) is written as f2(x)
 Inverse functions ff-1(x) = f-1f(x) = x
Exam Tip
Domain and range are important.
In fg(x), the ‘output’ (range) of g must be in the domain of f(x), so fg(x) could exist, but gf(x) may not
(or not for some values of x).
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Worked Example
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3.3 Inverse Functions
Inverse functions
 An inverse function is the opposite to the original function

 It is denoted by f-1(x)
 An inverse only exists for one-to-one functions
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Graphs of inverse functions
 The graphs of a function and its inverse are reflections in the line y = x
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Domain and range of inverse functions
 The range of a function will be the domain of its inverse function

 The domain of a function will be the range of its inverse function
How do I work out an inverse function?
 Set y = f(x) and make x the subject

 Then rewrite in function notation
 Domain is needed to fully define a function
 The range of f is the domain of f-1 (and vice versa)
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… and finally …
 A function (f) followed by its inverse (f-1) will return the input (x)
 ff-1(x) = f-1f(x) = x (for all values of x)
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Worked Example
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3.4 Modulus Functions - Sketching Graphs
Modulus functions
 The modulus function makes any ‘input’ positive
 |x| = x if x ≥ 0 |f(x)| = f(x) if f(x) ≥ 0
 |x| = -x if x < 0 |f(x)| = -f(x) if f(x) < 0
 Sometimes called absolute value
How do I sketch the graph of a modulus function?
STEP 1 Pencil in the graph of y = f(x)
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STEP 2 Reflect anything below the x-axis, in the x-axis, to get y = |f(x)|
How do I use the graph of a modulus function?
 From the graph above

o f(x) = k has one solution
o |f(x)| = k has four solutions
 Use the graph to deduce the number of intersections/solutions
What is the difference between y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|)?
 There is a difference between y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|)

 Only y = |f(x)| is studied at A level
 Both may get mentioned in books, websites, etc
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Page | 23
Worked Example
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3.5 Modulus Functions - Solving Equations
Modulus functions
 The modulus function makes any ‘input’ positive
 |x| = x if x ≥ 0 |f(x)| = f(x) if f(x) ≥ 0
 |x| = -x if x < 0 |f(x)| = -f(x) if f(x) < 0
 Sometimes called absolute value
Modulus graphs and equations
 Two non-parallel straight-line graphs would intersect once

 If modulus involved there could be more than one intersection
 Deducing where these intersections are is crucial to solving equations
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How do I solve modulus equations?
STEP 1 Sketch the graphs including any modulus (reflected) parts
(see Modulus Functions – Sketching Graphs)
STEP 2 Locate the graph intersections
STEP 3 Solve the appropriate equation(s) or inequality

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Worked Example
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Edexcel IAL A Level Pure Mathematics 3

 A mapping takes an ‘input’ from one set of values to an ‘output’ in another

 A function is a mapping where every ‘input’ value maps to a single ‘output’

 All numbers can be organised into different sets ℕ, ℤ, ℚ, ℝ

 The range of a function is the set of values of all possible ‘outputs’

 Composite functions refers to one function being applied after another

How do I work with composite functions

 fg(x) and gf(x) are generally different but can sometimes be the same

 An inverse function is the opposite to the original function

 The range of a function will be the domain of its inverse function

How do I work out an inverse function?

 Set y = f(x) and make x the subject

How do I sketch the graph of a modulus function?

STEP 1 Pencil in the graph of y = f(x)

How do I use the graph of a modulus function?

 From the graph above

What is the difference between y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|)?

 There is a difference between y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|)

Modulus graphs and equations

 Two non-parallel straight-line graphs would intersect once

STEP 1 Sketch the graphs including any modulus (reflected) parts

(see Modulus Functions – Sketching Graphs)

STEP 2 Locate the graph intersections

STEP 3 Solve the appropriate equation(s) or inequality

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