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Functions and Limits

Concept Of Function:
The term function was recognized by a German Mathematician Leibniz (1646 - 1716) to describe the dependence of one quantity on another. The following examples illustrates how this term is used:
  • The area "A" of a square depends on one of its sides "x" by the formula A = x, so we say that A is a function of x.
  • The volume "V" of a sphere depends on its radius "r" by the formula V = (4/3)πr³ , so we say that V is a function of r.
Definition (Function - Domain - Range):
A Function f from a set X to a set Y is a rule or a correspondence that assigns to each element x in X a unique element y in Y. The set X is called the domain of f. The set of corresponding elements y in Y is called the range of f.
Unless stated to the contrary, we shall assume hereafter that the sets X and Y consist of real numbers.
Important Note:
Functions are often denoted by the letters such as f, g, h, F, G, H and so on.


y = f(x)
The variable x is called the independent variable of f, and the variable y is called the dependent variable of f.

Types Of Functions:
Some important types of functions are given below:
1. Algebraic Functions:
  • Polynomial Function
  • Linear Function
  • Identity Function
  • Constant Function
  • Rational Function
2. Trigonometric Functions
3. Inverse Trigonometric Functions
4. Exponential Function
5. Logarithmic Function
6. Hyperbolic Functions
7. Inverse Hyperbolic Functions
8. Explicit Function
9. Implicit Function

  • Parametric Functions

10. Even Function
11. Odd Function

Limit Of A Function and Theorems On Limits:
Let a function f(x) be defined in an open interval near the number "a" (need not at a).
If, as x approaches "a" from both left and right side of "a", f(x) approaches a specific number "L" then "L" is called the limit of f(x) as x approaches a.
Symbollically it is written as:
Lim x→a f(x) = L         read as "limit of f(x), as x→a, is L"
Theorems On Limits Of Functions:
Theorem 1: The limit of the sum of two functions is equal to the sum of their limits.
Theorem 2: The limit of the difference of two functions is equal to the difference of their limits.
Theorem 3: If k is any real number then 
Lim x→a [k f(x)] = k Lim x→a f(x) = k L
Theorem 4: The limit of the product of the functions is equal to the product of their limits.
Theorem 5: The limit of the quotient of the functions is equal to the quotient of their limits provided the limit of the denominator is non-zero.
Theorem 6: Limit of [f(x)]n, where n is an integer.

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