All Study Guides Analytic Geometry and Calculus Unit 1
📐 Analytic Geometry and Calculus Unit 1 – Precalculus Review: Functions and GraphsFunctions are the building blocks of calculus, mapping inputs to outputs and describing relationships between variables. This review covers various function types, their properties, and graphing techniques, laying the foundation for more advanced mathematical concepts.
Mastering function transformations, composition, and inverse functions is crucial for understanding how equations relate to their graphs. Real-world applications demonstrate the practical importance of functions in modeling diverse phenomena, from population growth to sound waves.
Got a Unit Test this week? we crunched the numbers and here's the most likely topics on your next test Key Concepts and Definitions
Functions map input values from the domain to output values in the range
Function notation f ( x ) f(x) f ( x ) represents the output value of the function f f f for a given input value x x x
One-to-one functions have a unique output value for each input value
Even functions are symmetric about the y-axis, satisfying f ( − x ) = f ( x ) f(-x) = f(x) f ( − x ) = f ( x )
Odd functions are symmetric about the origin, satisfying f ( − x ) = − f ( x ) f(-x) = -f(x) f ( − x ) = − f ( x )
Piecewise functions are defined by different equations over different intervals of the domain
Continuous functions have no breaks or gaps in their graphs
Discontinuities can be classified as removable, jump, or infinite
Types of Functions
Linear functions have the form f ( x ) = m x + b f(x) = mx + b f ( x ) = m x + b , where m m m is the slope and b b b is the y-intercept
Quadratic functions have the form f ( x ) = a x 2 + b x + c f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c f ( x ) = a x 2 + b x + c , where a a a , b b b , and c c c are constants and a ≠ 0 a \neq 0 a = 0
The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola
Polynomial functions are the sum of terms with non-negative integer exponents (linear, quadratic, cubic, etc.)
Rational functions are the quotient of two polynomial functions, f ( x ) = P ( x ) Q ( x ) f(x) = \frac{P(x)}{Q(x)} f ( x ) = Q ( x ) P ( x ) , where Q ( x ) ≠ 0 Q(x) \neq 0 Q ( x ) = 0
Exponential functions have the form f ( x ) = a ⋅ b x f(x) = a \cdot b^x f ( x ) = a ⋅ b x , where a a a and b b b are constants, a ≠ 0 a \neq 0 a = 0 , and b > 0 b > 0 b > 0
Logarithmic functions have the form f ( x ) = log b ( x ) f(x) = \log_b(x) f ( x ) = log b ( x ) , where b b b is the base and x > 0 x > 0 x > 0
Trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent) relate angles to the sides of a right triangle
Graphing Techniques
Plotting points ( x , y ) (x, y) ( x , y ) on the Cartesian coordinate system
Identifying x and y intercepts by setting y = 0 y = 0 y = 0 and x = 0 x = 0 x = 0 , respectively
Finding the domain and range of a function from its graph
Determining the intervals where a function is increasing, decreasing, or constant
Locating local maxima and minima (turning points) on the graph
Identifying asymptotes (vertical, horizontal, or oblique) of a function
Sketching the graph of a function using transformations of parent functions
Translations, reflections, stretches, and compressions
Domain and Range
The domain is the set of all possible input values (x-values) for a function
The range is the set of all possible output values (y-values) for a function
Determine the domain by considering the function's equation and any restrictions on the input values
Avoid division by zero and negative values under even roots
Determine the range by considering the function's graph or by solving for y in terms of x
Express the domain and range using interval notation or set-builder notation
Functions with restricted domains (e.g., square root, logarithm) require special attention
Translations shift the graph horizontally or vertically
f ( x ) + k f(x) + k f ( x ) + k shifts the graph vertically by k k k units
f ( x − h ) f(x - h) f ( x − h ) shifts the graph horizontally by h h h units
Reflections flip the graph across the x-axis or y-axis
− f ( x ) -f(x) − f ( x ) reflects the graph across the x-axis
f ( − x ) f(-x) f ( − x ) reflects the graph across the y-axis
Stretches and compressions change the graph's scale
a f ( x ) af(x) a f ( x ) stretches (if ∣ a ∣ > 1 |a| > 1 ∣ a ∣ > 1 ) or compresses (if 0 < ∣ a ∣ < 1 0 < |a| < 1 0 < ∣ a ∣ < 1 ) the graph vertically by a factor of ∣ a ∣ |a| ∣ a ∣
f ( b x ) f(bx) f ( b x ) compresses (if ∣ b ∣ > 1 |b| > 1 ∣ b ∣ > 1 ) or stretches (if 0 < ∣ b ∣ < 1 0 < |b| < 1 0 < ∣ b ∣ < 1 ) the graph horizontally by a factor of 1 ∣ b ∣ \frac{1}{|b|} ∣ b ∣ 1
Composition and Inverse Functions
Function composition combines two functions, ( f ∘ g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ) ) (f \circ g)(x) = f(g(x)) ( f ∘ g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ))
Evaluate the inner function first, then use the result as the input for the outer function
The inverse function f − 1 ( x ) f^{-1}(x) f − 1 ( x ) "undoes" the original function f ( x ) f(x) f ( x )
If f ( a ) = b f(a) = b f ( a ) = b , then f − 1 ( b ) = a f^{-1}(b) = a f − 1 ( b ) = a
To find the inverse function, swap x x x and y y y , then solve for y y y
A function must be one-to-one to have an inverse function
The graphs of a function and its inverse are symmetric about the line y = x y = x y = x
Real-World Applications
Linear functions model constant growth or decay (population growth, depreciation)
Quadratic functions model projectile motion and optimization problems
Exponential functions model compound interest and exponential growth or decay (bacterial growth, radioactive decay)
Logarithmic functions model sound intensity (decibels) and earthquake magnitude (Richter scale)
Trigonometric functions model periodic phenomena (sound waves, tides, seasons)
Rational functions model inverse proportionality (work rate problems, concentration of solutions)
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Pay attention to the function's domain and any restrictions on the input values
Remember the order of operations when evaluating functions (PEMDAS)
Be careful with negative signs when applying function transformations
When finding the inverse of a function, check that the original function is one-to-one
Sketch graphs using key features (intercepts, asymptotes, turning points) before plotting points
Practice identifying functions from their equations and graphs
Use technology (graphing calculators, online tools) to verify your work and explore more complex functions