1.

2 Function Notation

YOU WILL NEED GOAL

• graphing calculator
Use function notation to represent linear and quadratic functions.

LEARN ABOUT the Math

The deepest mine in the world, East Rand mine in South Africa,
reaches 3585 m into Earth’s crust. Another South African mine,
Western Deep, is being deepened to 4100 m. Suppose the
temperature at the top of the mine shaft is 11 °C and that it
increases at a rate of 0.015 °C>m as you descend.

? What is the temperature at the bottom of each mine?

EXAMPLE 1 Representing a situation with a function

and using it to solve a problem

a) Represent the temperature in a mine shaft with a function. Explain why

function notation your representation is a function, and write it in function notation.
notation, such as f(x), used to b) Use your function to determine the temperature at the bottom of East Rand
represent the value of the and Western Deep mines.
dependent variable—the
output—for a given value of the Lucy’s Solution: Using an Equation
independent variable, x—the
input
a) An equation for temperature is I wrote a linear equation for the
T 5 11 1 0.015d, where T problem.
Communication Tip represents the temperature in I used the fact that T starts at 11 °C
The notations y and f(x) are degrees Celsius at a depth of d metres. and increases at a steady rate of
interchangeable in the
0.015 ° C>m.
equation or graph of a
function, so y is equal to f(x).
The equation represents a function. Since this equation represents a linear
The notation f(x) is read “f at
Temperature is a function of relationship between temperature and
x” or “f of x.” The symbols
depth. depth, it is a function.
f(x), g(x), and h(x) are often
used to name the outputs of I wrote the equation again. T(d) makes
In function notation,
functions, but other letters are it clearer that T is a function of d.
T(d ) 5 11 1 0.015d.
also used, such as v(t) for
velocity as a function of time.

14 1.2 Function Notation

 I found the temperature at the
b) T(3585) 5 11 1 0.015(3585)
bottom of East Rand mine by
5 11 1 53.775 calculating the temperature at a
5 64.775 depth of 3585 m. I substituted
3585 for d in the equation.

T(4100) 5 11 1 0.015(4100) For the new mine, I wanted the

5 11 1 61.5 temperature when d 5 4100, so
I calculated T(4100).
5 72.5
The temperatures at the bottom of East
Rand mine and Western Deep mine are
about 65 °C and 73 °C, respectively.

Stuart’s Solution: Using a Graph

a) T(d ) 5 11 1 0.015d I wrote an equation to show

how the temperature changes
This is a function because it is a
as you go down the mine.
linear relationship.
I knew that the relationship was
linear because the temperature
increases at a steady rate. I used
d for depth and called the
function T(d) for temperature.

b)
d (m) T(d )(8C) I made a table of values for the
0 T(0) 5 11 1 0.015(0) 5 11 function.

1000 26 I substituted the d-values into

the function equation to get
2000 41
the T(d)-values.
3000 56
4000 71

Chapter 1 Introduction to Functions 15

 Temperature of a Mine I plotted the points (0, 11),
y
(1000, 26), (2000, 41),
90 (3000, 56), and (4000, 71).
80 Then I joined them with a
Approx. 72.5 straight line.

Temperature, T(d), (°C)

70 Approx. 64.5
East Rand mine is 3585 m
60
deep. The temperature at the
50 bottom is T(3585).

15d
40 I interpolated to read T(3585)

0.0
from the graph. It was

11 +
30
approximately 65.

)=
T(d
20
The other mine is 4100 m
10 3585 4100 deep.
x
0 By extrapolating, I found that
1000 3000 5000 T(4100) was about 73.
Depth, d, (m)

The temperature at the bottom of East

Rand mine is about 65 °C. The
temperature at the bottom of Western
Deep mine is about 73 °C.

Tech Support
For help using a graphing Eli’s Solution: Using a Graphing Calculator
calculator to graph and evaluate
functions, see Technical a) Let T(d ) represent the I used function notation to
Appendix, B-2 and B-3. temperature in degrees Celsius write the equation.
at a depth of d metres.
T(d ) 5 11 1 0.015d
Temperature increases at a steady
rate, so it is a function of depth.
b) I graphed the function by
entering Y1 5 11 1 0.015X
into the equation editor.

I used WINDOW settings of

0 # X # 5000, Xscl 200, and
0 # Y # 100, Yscl 10.

16 1.2 Function Notation

 I used the value operation to
find the temperature at the
bottom of East Rand mine.
This told me that
T(3585) 5 64.775.

Then I used the value operation

again to find the temperature
at the bottom of the other
mine. I found that
T(4100) 5 72.5.

As a check, I called up the

function on my calculator
home screen, using VARS and
function notation to display
both answers.

The temperature at the bottom of

the East Rand mine is about
65 °C. The temperature at the
bottom of Western Deep mine is
about 73 °C.

Reflecting
A. How did Lucy, Stuart, and Eli know that the relationship between
temperature and depth is a function?
B. How did Lucy use the function equation to determine the two temperatures?
C. What does T(3585) mean? How did Stuart use the graph to determine the
value of T(3585)?

Chapter 1 Introduction to Functions 17

 APPLY the Math
EXAMPLE 2 Representing a situation with a function model

A family played a game to decide who got to eat the last piece of pizza. Each
person had to think of a number, double it, and subtract the result from 12.
Finally, they each multiplied the resulting difference by the number they first
thought of. The person with the highest final number won the pizza slice.
a) Use function notation to express the final answer in terms of
Tim 5
the original number.
b) The original numbers chosen by the family members are Rhea 22
shown. Who won the pizza slice? Sara 7
c) What would be the best number to choose? Why? Andy 10
Barbara’s Solution

a) x input

Double the number

2x I used a flow chart to show what

happens to the original number in the
Subtract from 12 game.
(12 ⫺ 2x) I chose x to be the original number, or
input.
Multiply by the original
number
x(12 ⫺ 2x)
output

f (x) 5 x(12 2 2x) The expression for the final answer is

quadratic, so the final result must be
5 12x 2 2x 2 a function of the original number.

I chose f(x) as the name for the final

answer, or output.

18 1.2 Function Notation

b) Tim: f (5) 5 12(5) 2 2(5) 2 I found the values of f(5),
f(22), f(7), and f(10) to see
5 60 2 2(25) who had the highest answer.
5 60 2 50 Tim’s answer was 10.
5 10
Rhea: f (22) 5 12(22) 2 2(22) 2 Rhea’s answer was 232.

5 224 2 2(4)
5 224 2 8
5 232
Sara: f (7) 5 12(7) 2 2(7) 2 Sara’s answer was 214.

5 84 2 2(49)
5 84 2 98 5 214
Andy: f (10) 5 12(10) 2 2(10) 2 Andy’s answer was 280.

5 120 2 2(100)
5 120 2 200 5 280
Tim won the pizza slice. Tim’s answer was the highest.

c) f (x) 5 12x 2 2x 2 I recognized that the equation

was quadratic and that its graph
would be a parabola that opened
down, since the coefficient of x2
was negative.

This meant that this quadratic

function had a maximum value
at its vertex.

I put the equation back in

f (x) 5 22x(x 2 6) factored form by dividing out the
The x-intercepts are x 5 0 and x 5 6. common factor, 22x.

Vertex: x 5 (0 1 6) 4 2 I remembered that the

x-coordinate of the vertex is
x53 halfway between the two
The best number to choose is 3. x-intercepts.

I checked my answer by
graphing.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Functions 19

 EXAMPLE 3 Connecting function notation to a graph

For the function shown in the graph, determine y

each value. 2
a) g(3) y = g(x)
1
b) g(21) x
c) x if g(x) 5 1
⫺1 0 1 2 3 4
d) the domain and range of g(x) ⫺1
⫺2

Ernesto’s Solution

a) y
2 I looked at the graph to find the
1 y = g(x) y-coordinate when x 5 3.
x I drew a line up to the graph from the
⫺1 0 1 2 3 4 x-axis at x 5 3 and then a line across
⫺1 from that point of intersection to the
⫺2 y-axis.

The y-value was 2, so, in function

When x 5 3, y 5 2. notation, g(3) 5 2.
g(3) 5 2
I saw that y 5 0 when x 5 21, so
b) When x 5 21, y 5 0.
21 is the x-intercept and g(21) 5 0.
g(21) 5 0
c) g(x) 5 1 when x 5 0 I saw that the graph crosses the y-axis
at y 5 1. The x-value is 0 at this point.
d) The graph begins at the point
(21, 0) and continues upward. I saw that there was no graph to the
The graph exists only for x $ 21 left of the point (21, 0) or below
and y $ 0. that point.
The domain is all real numbers So the only possible x-values are
greater than or equal to 21. x $ 21, and the only possible
y-values are y $ 0.
The range is all real numbers
greater than or equal to 0.

20 1.2 Function Notation

 EXAMPLE 4 Using algebraic expressions in functions

Consider the functions f (x) 5 x 2 2 3x and g(x) 5 1 2 2x.

a) Show that f (2) . g (2), and explain what that means about their graphs.
b) Determine g(3b).
c) Determine f (c 1 2) 2 g(c 1 2).

Jamilla’s Solution

a) f (x) 5 x 2 2 3x I substituted 2 for x in both

2 functions.
f (2) 5 (2) 2 3(2)
5426
5 22
g(x) 5 1 2 2x
g(2) 5 1 2 2(2)
5124
5 23
22 . 23, so f (2) . g(2)
That means that the point on the graph of f (x) is above the point on
the graph of g(x) when x 5 2.
I substituted 3b for x.
b) g(3b) 5 1 2 2(3b)
I simplified the equation.
5 1 2 6b
c) f (c 1 2) 2 g(c 1 2) 5 3 (c 1 2) 2 2 3(c 1 2) 4 2 31 2 2(c 1 2) 4
5 3 (c 2 1 4c 1 4 2 3c 2 6) 4 2 31 2 2c 2 44 I substituted c 1 2 for x in both

5 3c 2 1 c 2 24 2 323 2 2c4
functions.

I used square brackets to keep the

5 c 2 1 c 2 2 1 3 1 2c
functions separate until I had
5 c 2 1 3c 1 1 simplified each one.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Functions 21

 In Summary
Key Idea
• Symbols such as f(x) are called function notation, which is used to represent
the value of the dependent variable y for a given value of the independent
variable x. For this reason, y and f(x) are interchangeable in the equation of
a function, so y 5 f(x).

Need to Know
• f(x) is read “f at x” or “f of x.” input
• f(a) represents the value or output of a=2
the function when the input is x 5 a.
The output depends on the equation of in
the function. To evaluate f(a), substitute
out
a for x in the equation for f(x).
• f(a) is the y-coordinate of the point on
f(a) = f(2)
the graph of f with x-coordinate a. For
f(x) output
example, if f(x) takes the value 3 at
x 5 2, then f(2) 5 3 and the point
(2, 3) lies on the graph of f.

CHECK Your Understanding

1. Evaluate, where f (x) 5 2 2 3x.
a) f (2) c) f (24) e) f (a)

d) f a b
1
b) f (0) f ) f (3b)
2
2. The graphs of y 5 f (x) and y 5 g(x) are shown.

y y
4 4
2 2
x x
⫺4 ⫺2 0 2 4 ⫺4 ⫺2 0 2 4
⫺2 ⫺2
y = f (x) y = g(x)
⫺4 ⫺4

Using the graphs, evaluate

a) f (1) c) f (4) 2 g(22)
b) g(22) d) x when f (x) 5 23

22 1.2 Function Notation

 3. Milk is leaking from a carton at a rate of 3 mL/min. There is 1.2 L of milk in
the carton at 11:00 a.m.
a) Use function notation to write an equation for this situation.
b) How much will be left in the carton at 1:00 p.m.?
c) At what time will 450 mL of milk be left in the carton?

PRACTISING
4. Evaluate f (21), f (3), and f (1.5) for
a) f (x) 5 (x 2 2) 2 2 1 b) f (x) 5 2 1 3x 2 4x 2
1
5. For f (x) 5 , determine
2x
d) f a b 1 f a b
1 3
a) f (23) b) f (0) c) f (1) 2 f (3)
4 4
y
6. The graph of y 5 f (x) is shown at the right. y = f(x)
a) State the domain and range of f. 6
b) Evaluate. 4
i) f (3) iii) f (5 2 3)
2
ii) f (5) iv) f (5) 2 f (3) x
7. For h(x) 5 2x 2 5, determine ⫺4 ⫺2 0 2 4 6
a) h(a) c) h(3c 2 1) ⫺2
b) h(b 1 1) d) h(2 2 5x)
8. Consider the function g(t) 5 3t 1 5.
a) Create a table of values and graph the function.
b) Determine each value.
i) g(0) iv) g(2) 2 g(1)
ii) g(3) v) g(1001) 2 g(1000)
iii) g(1) 2 g(0) vi) g(a 1 1) 2 g(a)
9. Consider the function f (s) 5 s 2 2 6s 1 9.
a) Create a table of values for the function.
b) Determine each value.
i) f (0) iv) f (3)
ii) f (1) v) 3 f (2) 2 f (1) 4 2 3 f (1) 2 f (0) 4
iii) f (2) vi) 3 f (3) 2 f (2) 4 2 3 f (2) 2 f (1) 4
c) In part (b), what do you notice about the answers to parts (v) and (vi)? y
Explain why this happens. 8
10. The graph at the right shows f (x) 5 2(x 2 3) 2 1. 2 y = 2(x–3)2–1
4
K a) Evaluate f (22). x
b) What does f (22) represent on the graph of f ? ⫺8 ⫺4 0 4 8
c) State the domain and range of the relation. ⫺4
d) How do you know that f is a function from its graph?
⫺8
11. For g(x) 5 4 2 5x, determine the input for x when the output of g(x) is
3
a) 26 b) 2 c) 0 d)
5

Chapter 1 Introduction to Functions 23

 12. A company rents cars for $50 per day plus $0.15/km.
a) Express the daily rental cost as a function of the number of kilometres
travelled.
b) Determine the rental cost if you drive 472 km in one day.
c) Determine how far you can drive in a day for $80.
13. As a mental arithmetic exercise, a teacher asked her students to think of a
A number, triple it, and subtract the resulting number from 24. Finally, they were
asked to multiply the resulting difference by the number they first thought of.
a) Use function notation to express the final answer in terms of the original
number.
b) Determine the result of choosing numbers 3, 25, and 10.
c) Determine the maximum result possible.
14. The second span of the Bluewater Bridge in Sarnia, Ontario, is supported by
T two parabolic arches. Each arch is set in concrete foundations that are on
opposite sides of the St. Clair River. The feet of the arches are 281 m apart.
The top of each arch rises 71 m above the river. Write a function to model
the arch.
15. a) Graph the function f (x) 5 3(x 2 1) 2 2 4.
b) What does f (21) represent on the graph? Indicate on the graph how
you would find f (21).
c) Use the equation to determine
i) f (2) 2 f (1) ii) 2f (3) 2 7 iii) f (1 2 x)
16. Let f (x) 5 x 2 1 2x 2 15. Determine the values of x for which
a) f (x) 5 0 b) f (x) 5 212 c) f (x) 5 216
17. Let f (x) 5 3x 1 1 and g(x) 5 2 2 x. Determine values for a such that
a) f (a) 5 g(a) b) f (a 2 ) 5 g(2a)
18. Explain, with examples, what function notation is and how it relates to the
C graph of a function. Include a discussion of the advantages of using function
notation.

Extending
19. The highest and lowest marks awarded on an examination were 285 and 75.
All the marks must be reduced so that the highest and lowest marks become
200 and 60.
a) Determine a linear function that will convert 285 to 200 and 75 to 60.
b) Use the function to determine the new marks that correspond to original
marks of 95, 175, 215, and 255.
20. A function f (x) has these properties:
• The domain of f is the set of natural numbers.
• f (1) 5 1
• f (x 1 1) 5 f (x) 1 3x(x 1 1) 1 1
a) Determine f (2), f (3), f (4), f (5), and f (6).
b) Describe the function.

24 1.2 Function Notation