Functions and Equations

Example

Find the domain of $\displaystyle f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x-2}}$.

We need $x - 2 \gt 0$ (strictly positive since it is in the denominator).

Domain: $x \gt 2$Or $(2, \infty)$.

Example

Find the domain of $\displaystyle f(x) = \ln(x+3) + \sqrt{5-x}$.

From $\ln(x+3)$: $x + 3 \gt 0 \implies x \gt -3$.

From $\sqrt{5-x}$: $5 - x \ge 0 \implies x \le 5$.

Domain: $(-3, 5]$.

Finding the Range

To find the range, consider the domain and the behaviour of the function:

• Solve $y = f(x)$ for $x$ and find restrictions on $y$.
• Consider the graph: what $y$-values are achieved?
• Check for horizontal asymptotes and extrema.

Example

Find the range of $f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3$.

Completing the square: $f(x) = (x-2)^2 - 1$.

Since $(x-2)^2 \ge 0$The minimum value is $-1$.

Range: $[-1, \infty)$.

Composite Functions

Definition

The composite function $f \circ g$ (read “f of g”) is defined by:

This means: first apply $g$ to $x$Then apply $f$ to the result.

Order Matters

$f \circ g \neq g \circ f$.

Example

Given $f(x) = 2x + 1$ and $g(x) = x^2$:

$f \circ g \neq g \circ f$.

Domain of Composite Functions

The domain of $f \circ g$ consists of all $x$ in the domain of $g$ such that $g(x)$ is in the domain Of $f$.

Example

Given $f(x) = \sqrt{x}$ and $g(x) = x - 5$Find the domain of $f \circ g$.

We need $x - 5 \ge 0$So $x \ge 5$.

Domain of $f \circ g$: $[5, \infty)$.

Inverse Functions

Definition

The inverse function $f^{-1}$ of $f$ satisfies:

Existence of Inverses

A function has an inverse if and only if it is one-to-one (injective), meaning each output comes From exactly one input. This is verified by the horizontal line test: no horizontal line Intersects the graph more than once.

Finding the Inverse

1. Write $y = f(x)$.
2. Swap $x$ and $y$.
3. Solve for $y$.
4. Replace $y$ with $f^{-1}(x)$.

Example

Find the inverse of $f(x) = \dfrac{2x + 3}{x - 1}$.

Swap $x$ and $y$:

Domain and Range of Inverses

The domain of $f^{-1}$ equals the range of $f$And the range of $f^{-1}$ equals the domain of $f$.

Graph of Inverse Functions

The graph of $y = f^{-1}(x)$ is the reflection of $y = f(x)$ in the line $y = x$.

Restricting Domains

Functions that are not one-to-one on their natural domain can have inverses if their domain is Restricted.

Example

$f(x) = x^2$ is not one-to-one on $\mathbb{R}$But $f: [0, \infty) \to [0, \infty)$ defined by $f(x) = x^2$ has inverse $f^{-1}(x) = \sqrt{x}$.

Function Transformations

Summary of Transformations

Given $y = f(x)$:

Example

Describe the sequence of transformations that maps $f(x) = x^2$ to $g(x) = 2(x-3)^2 + 1$.

Starting from $f(x) = x^2$:

1. Translate right by 3: $(x-3)^2$
2. Vertical stretch by factor 2: $2(x-3)^2$
3. Translate up by 1: $2(x-3)^2 + 1$

The vertex moves from $(0, 0)$ to $(3, 1)$And the parabola is narrower.

Effect on Key Points

Graphing Functions

Key Features to Identify

1. Domain and range
2. Intercepts: $x$-intercepts (zeros) and $y$-intercept
3. Symmetry: even ($f(-x) = f(x)$), odd ($f(-x) = -f(x)$), periodic
4. Asymptotes: vertical, horizontal, oblique
5. Stationary points: local maxima and minima
6. End behaviour: as $x \to \pm\infty$

Asymptotes

Vertical asymptotes occur at values of $x$ where the function is undefined and the function Approaches $\pm\infty$.

Horizontal asymptotes describe the behaviour as $x \to \pm\infty$.

For rational functions $\dfrac{P(x)}{Q(x)}$:

• If $\deg P \lt \deg Q$: horizontal asymptote at $y = 0$.
• If $\deg P = \deg Q$: horizontal asymptote at $y = \dfrac{\mathrm{leading coefficient of } P}{\mathrm{leading coefficient of } Q}$.
• If $\deg P = \deg Q + 1$: oblique asymptote (found by polynomial division).

Example

Find the asymptotes of $\displaystyle f(x) = \frac{2x + 1}{x - 3}$.

Vertical asymptote: $x - 3 = 0 \implies x = 3$.

Horizontal asymptote: Same degree, so $y = \dfrac{2}{1} = 2$.

Use the sliders to adjust parameters and observe how the domain, range, and asymptotic behaviour Change.

Polynomial Equations

The Factor Theorem

$(x - a)$ is a factor of $P(x)$ if and only if $P(a) = 0$.

The Remainder Theorem

When $P(x)$ is divided by $(x - a)$The remainder is $P(a)$.

Example

Find the remainder when $P(x) = 2x^3 - 3x^2 + 5x - 7$ is divided by $(x + 2)$.

The remainder is $-45$.

The Rational Root Theorem

If $P(x) = a_n x^n + \cdots + a_0$ has integer coefficients, then any rational root $\dfrac{p}{q}$ (in lowest terms) satisfies:

• $p$ divides $a_0$
• $q$ divides $a_n$

Example

Find all roots of $P(x) = 2x^3 - x^2 - 13x - 6$.

Possible rational roots: $\pm 1, \pm 2, \pm 3, \pm 6, \pm \dfrac{1}{2}, \pm \dfrac{3}{2}$.

$P(3) = 54 - 9 - 39 - 6 = 0$So $x = 3$ is a root.

Divide by $(x - 3)$:

Roots: x = 3$$x = -\dfrac{1}{2}$$x = -2.

Polynomial Division

Long division and synthetic division are two methods for dividing polynomials.

Example

Divide $x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6$ by $(x + 1)$ using synthetic division.

-1 | 1   2   -5   -6
   |     -1   -1    6
   |----------------
     1   1   -6    0

Result: $x^2 + x - 6 = (x+3)(x-2)$.

So $x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6 = (x+1)(x+3)(x-2)$.

Sum and Product of Roots

For $ax^n + bx^{n-1} + \cdots = 0$ with roots $\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \ldots$:

Quadratic ($ax^2 + bx + c = 0$):

Cubic ($ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d = 0$):

Inequalities

Linear Inequalities

Example

Solve $x^2 - 5x + 6 \le 0$.

The product is non-positive when $2 \le x \le 3$.

Solution: $[2, 3]$.

Absolute Value Inequalities

Example

Solve $|2x - 3| \lt 5$.

Solution: $(-1, 4)$.

Polynomial Inequalities

1. Move all terms to one side.
2. Factorise completely.
3. Find the zeros.
4. Use a sign diagram to determine where the expression is positive/negative.

Simultaneous Equations

Linear Systems

Substitution method: Solve one equation for one variable and substitute into the other.

Elimination method: Multiply equations by constants so that adding them eliminates one variable.

Non-linear Systems

A line and a parabola can intersect at 0, 1, or 2 points.

Example

Solve simultaneously: $y = x^2 - 4x + 3$ and $y = 2x - 3$.

Substitute: $2x - 3 = x^2 - 4x + 3$.

When $x = 3 + \sqrt{3}$: $y = 2(3 + \sqrt{3}) - 3 = 3 + 2\sqrt{3}$.

When $x = 3 - \sqrt{3}$: $y = 2(3 - \sqrt{3}) - 3 = 3 - 2\sqrt{3}$.

Modulus Functions

Definition

Graph

The graph of $y = |x|$ is V-shaped, with the vertex at the origin.

Solving Modulus Equations

Square both sides or use the definition casewise.

Example

Solve $|x - 2| = 3x - 1$.

Since $|x - 2| \ge 0$We need $3x - 1 \ge 0 \implies x \ge \dfrac{1}{3}$.

Case 1 ($x \ge 2$): $x - 2 = 3x - 1 \implies -2x = 1 \implies x = -\dfrac{1}{2}$. Rejected ($x \ge 2$).

Case 2 ($x \lt 2$): $-(x - 2) = 3x - 1 \implies -x + 2 = 3x - 1 \implies 4x = 3 \implies x = \dfrac{3}{4}$.

Check: $|3/4 - 2| = 5/4$ and $3(3/4) - 1 = 5/4$. Valid.

Solution: $x = \dfrac{3}{4}$.

IB Exam-Style Questions

Question 1 (Paper 1 style)

Given $f(x) = \dfrac{x}{x + 2}$ and $g(x) = 2x - 1$:

(a) Find $(f \circ g)(x)$ and state its domain.

Domain: $2x + 1 \neq 0 \implies x \neq -\dfrac{1}{2}$.

(b) Find $f^{-1}(x)$.

(c) Verify that $f^{-1} \circ f$ is the identity function.

Question 2 (Paper 2 style)

The function $f$ is defined by $f(x) = 2x^2 - 12x + 13$ for $x \ge 3$.

(a) Express $f(x)$ in the form $a(x - h)^2 + k$.

(b) Find the range of $f$.

Since $x \ge 3$ and $(x-3)^2 \ge 0$: $f(x) \ge -5$.

Range: $[-5, \infty)$.

(c) Find $f^{-1}(x)$ and state its domain.

Since x \ge 3$$x - 3 \ge 0:

Domain of $f^{-1}$ = range of $f$: $[-5, \infty)$.

Question 3 (Paper 1 style)

Solve the inequality $x^2 - 2x - 8 \gt 0$.

The product is positive when both factors are positive or both are negative:

• $x \gt 4$ or $x \lt -2$

Solution: $x \in (-\infty, -2) \cup (4, \infty)$.

Question 4 (Paper 2 style)

The function $f$ is defined as $f(x) = \dfrac{x^2 - 9}{x - 3}$ for $x \neq 3$.

(a) Simplify $f(x)$.

(b) Find the equations of any asymptotes of $f$.

There is a hole at $x = 3$ (removable discontinuity), not a vertical asymptote.

No horizontal asymptote (it behaves like $y = x + 3$ for large $x$).

(c) Sketch the graph of $f$.

The graph is the line $y = x + 3$ with a hole at $(3, 6)$.

Question 5 (Paper 1 style)

The cubic $P(x) = x^3 + ax^2 + bx - 12$ has a factor of $(x + 3)$ and leaves a remainder of $-20$ When divided by $(x - 1)$. Find $a$ and $b$.

Since $(x + 3)$ is a factor: $P(-3) = 0$.

Since $P(1) = -20$:

Adding (1) and (2): $4a = 4 \implies a = 1$.

From (2): $b = -10$.

Summary

Example

Sketch the graph of $y = \dfrac{1}{x^2 - 4}$.

Vertical asymptotes at $x = 2$ and $x = -2$ (zeros of denominator).

Horizontal asymptote at $y = 0$.

For $x \lt -2$: denominator positive, so $y \gt 0$.

For $-2 \lt x \lt 2$: denominator negative, so $y \lt 0$.

For $x \gt 2$: denominator positive, so $y \gt 0$.

Local minimum at $x = 0$: $y = -\dfrac{1}{4}$.

Rational Functions

Definition

A rational function is a ratio of two polynomials:

Features to Identify

1. Domain: values of $x$ where $Q(x) \neq 0$.
2. Intercepts: $y$-intercept (set $x = 0$), $x$-intercepts (set $P(x) = 0$).
3. Asymptotes: vertical (zeros of $Q$), horizontal (compare degrees), oblique.
4. Behaviour near asymptotes: test values on each side.

Oblique Asymptotes

When $\deg P = \deg Q + 1$Divide $P$ by $Q$ using polynomial division. The quotient (without Remainder) gives the oblique asymptote.

Example

Find the asymptotes of $\displaystyle f(x) = \frac{x^2 + 1}{x - 1}$.

Vertical asymptote: $x = 1$.

Since $\deg P = 2$ and $\deg Q = 1$There is an oblique asymptote.

Oblique asymptote: $y = x + 1$.

Piecewise Functions

Definition

A piecewise function is defined by different expressions over different intervals of its domain.

Continuity of Piecewise Functions

Check that the function value equals the left-hand and right-hand limits at the boundary points.

Example

Is the following function continuous at $x = 2$?

$f(2) = 4$.

$\lim_{x \to 2^-} f(x) = 4$.

$\lim_{x \to 2^+} f(x) = 3(2) - 2 = 4$.

Since the left-hand limit, right-hand limit, and function value all equal 4, the function is Continuous at $x = 2$.

Additional Exam-Style Questions

Question 6 (Paper 2 style)

The function $f$ is defined as $f(x) = \dfrac{2x + 3}{x - 1}$ for x \in \mathbb{R}$$x \neq 1.

(a) Find the inverse function $f^{-1}$.

(b) State the domain and range of $f^{-1}$.

Domain of $f^{-1}$: $x \neq 2$.

Range of $f^{-1}$: $y \neq 1$ (which equals the domain of $f$).

(c) Find the value of $x$ such that $f(x) = f^{-1}(x)$.

Question 7 (Paper 2 style)

Given $f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3$ and $g(x) = 2x - 1$:

(a) Find $(g \circ f)(x)$ and its range.

Completing the square: $2(x - 2)^2 - 3$.

Range: $[-3, \infty)$.

(b) Find the set of values of $x$ for which $(f \circ g)(x) \lt 0$.

Solution: $1 \lt x \lt 2$.

Question 8 (Paper 1 style)

The function $h$ is defined by $h(x) = |2x - 5| + |x + 1|$ for all real $x$.

Find the minimum value of $h(x)$.

Critical points at $x = 2.5$ and $x = -1$.

Case 1 ($x \lt -1$): $h(x) = -(2x-5) + -(x+1) = -3x + 4$. Minimum at $x = -1$: $h(-1) = 7$.

Case 2 ($-1 \le x \le 2.5$): $h(x) = -(2x-5) + (x+1) = -x + 6$. Minimum at $x = 2.5$: $h(2.5) = 3.5$.

Case 3 ($x \gt 2.5$): $h(x) = (2x-5) + (x+1) = 3x - 4$. Minimum at $x = 2.5$: $h(2.5) = 3.5$.

Minimum value is $3.5$ at $x = 2.5$.

For the A-Level treatment of this topic, see Functions.

:::tip Diagnostic Test Ready to test your understanding of Functions and Equations? The contains the hardest questions within the IB specification for this topic, each with a full worked solution.

Unit tests probe edge cases and common misconceptions. Integration tests combine Functions and Equations with other IB mathematics topics to test synthesis under exam conditions.

See for instructions on self-marking and building a personal test matrix.

Common Pitfalls

1. Dropping negative signs during algebraic manipulation — substitute back to verify your answer.

2. Forgetting to check that solutions satisfy the original equation (especially with squaring both sides or dividing by variables).

3. Confusing the domain and range of functions, or not considering restrictions (e.g., denominator cannot be zero).

Cross-References

Worked Examples

Worked examples demonstrating the application of key concepts are covered in the detailed sub-pages linked above.