Chapter 3: Problem 1
Let \(f(x)=x^{2}\) and find \(f(1), f(2), f(3)\) \(f(-1), f(-2)\) and \(f(-3)\). What type, one \(\rightarrow\) one or many \(\rightarrow\) one, of function is \(f(x) ?\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(f(1)=1, f(2)=4, f(3)=9, f(-1)=1, f(-2)=4, f(-3)=9\). The function is many-to-one.
Step by step solution
01
- Understand the function
The function given is \(f(x) = x^2\). This is a simple quadratic function where you square the value of x.
02
- Calculate \(f(1)\)
Plug in 1 for x in the function: \(f(1) = 1^2 = 1\).
03
- Calculate \(f(2)\)
Plug in 2 for x in the function: \(f(2) = 2^2 = 4\).
04
- Calculate \(f(3)\)
Plug in 3 for x in the function: \(f(3) = 3^2 = 9\).
05
- Calculate \(f(-1)\)
Plug in -1 for x in the function: \(f(-1) = (-1)^2 = 1\).
06
- Calculate \(f(-2)\)
Plug in -2 for x in the function: \(f(-2) = (-2)^2 = 4\).
07
- Calculate \(f(-3)\)
Plug in -3 for x in the function: \(f(-3) = (-3)^2 = 9\).
08
- Determine the type of function
Given the results: \(f(1) = 1\), \(f(2) = 4\), \(f(3) = 9\), \(f(-1) = 1\), \(f(-2) = 4\), and \(f(-3) = 9\), observe that different values of x can produce the same value for \(f(x)\). Therefore, \(f(x)\) is a many-to-one function.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Function Evaluation
Function evaluation is the process of finding the output of a function based on an input. In our example, we have a quadratic function given by \(f(x) = x^2\). To evaluate this function for a given value, we simply substitute the input value (x) into the function and perform the necessary calculations.
For instance:
For instance:
- For \(x = 1\), \(f(1) = 1^2 = 1\).
- For \(x = 2\), \(f(2) = 2^2 = 4\).
- For \(x =3\), \(f(3) = 3^2 = 9\).
- For \(x = -1\), \(f(-1) = (-1)^2 = 1\).
- For \(x = -2\), \(f(-2) = (-2)^2 = 4\).
- For \(x = -3\), \(f(-3) = (-3)^2 = 9\).
Many-to-One Function
A many-to-one function is a type of function where multiple input values can produce the same output value. In our example, \(f(x) = x^2\) is a many-to-one function. This is because:
- Both \(x = 1\) and \(x = -1\) produce the same output, which is \(f(1) = 1\) and \(f(-1) = 1\).
- Similarly, \(x = 2\) and \(x = -2\) both yield \(f(2) = 4\) and \(f(-2) = 4\).
- Lastly, \(x = 3\) and \(x = -3\) give the same result: \(f(3) = 9\) and \(f(-3) = 9\).
Mathematical Problem Solving
Problem-solving in mathematics involves a series of logical steps and the application of mathematical methods to find solutions. In our example, solving the problem of evaluating \(f(x) = x^2\) for various input values involves straightforward substitution and calculation.
Here’s how to approach such problems:
Here’s how to approach such problems:
- First, understand the given function. For \(f(x) = x^2\), recognize that the output is simply the square of the input.
- Next, substitute the given values of \(x\) into the function. For instance, to find \(f(1)\), substitute 1 for \(x\) resulting in \(1^2 = 1\).
- Repeat this for all provided input values. Always keep track of positive and negative values separately as they can yield the same result in many-to-one functions.
- Finally, analyze the results to determine the nature of the function, whether one-to-one or many-to-one, as shown in our example.