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High School Archive

Browse High School Functions
Stars indicate particularly interesting answers or good places to begin browsing.

Selected answers to common questions:
    Composition of functions.
    Domain and range.
    Inverse of a function.
    Piecewise functions.

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Square Root Function: Why Restrict Its Range to Non-Negative Numbers? [01/26/2010]

Doctor Peterson makes the case for non-negative principal roots.

Summing Four Roots of an Even Function [07/27/1998]

If f(2+x) = f(2-x) and f(x) = 0 has exactly four distinct real roots, what is the sum of these roots?

Symmetry Tests [01/12/1999]

How can you know whether a graph is symmetric to the x-axis, y-axis, or the origin? What does the symmetry mean?

Taking the Natural Log of e^(ki) [05/18/2000]

How is the natural log defined for e^(ki)? Applying the equation e^(i*2pi) = 1 we get ln[e^(i*2pi)] = ln[1], so i*2pi = 0, which doesn't seem possible.

Taking the Partial Derivative of a Function [09/06/2002]

Are the left and right sides of an equation always symmetric?

Testing For Symmetry and Even/Odd Functions [06/08/1998]

How do you test for the following: symmetry about the x-axis, symmetry about the y-axis, symmetry at the origin, and even or odd functions?

Theta Notation: Complexity and the Step Function [02/05/2001]

What does the Greek letter theta mean in this formula?

To Invert Functions, First Subvert Routine [12/09/2010]

Don't you invert a function by just flipping its unknowns? Emphasizing a function as a relationship, and distinguishing variable names from their roles, Doctor Peterson clears up a misunderstanding borne of habitual exposure to canonical "y = f(x) ..." form and x as the independent variable on the horizontal axis.

Translating Functions [08/27/1998]

Find f(2+h), f(x+h), and f(x+h)-f(x)/h where h cannot = 0 for f(x) = x/(x + 1). Explain how the following graphs are obtained from the graph of y = f(x)...

Undefined and Indeterminable ... at the Same Time? [09/05/2010]

A student wonders whether the labels "undefined" and "indeterminate form" could apply to one and the same expression. Doctor Vogler considers several expressions, functions, and limits to distinguish the different contexts that call for such terminology.

Unraveling an Inverse Function [11/30/2001]

I got this question wrong: y = (-5x - 2) / (-x + 1).

Using Phase Shifts to Modify a Sine Curve [06/30/2005]

What modifiers can be used to fatten a sine wave while not affecting the zeros and peaks?

The Vertical Line Test for Functions [05/06/2004]

I'm having a problem understanding functions. I understand that for every "x" there must be only one "y". But the vertical line test is what is confusing me. Can you explain it to me?

Walsh Spectra [03/07/2002]

What are Walsh spectra?

What are Piecewise Functions? [05/13/2001]

I know piecewise functions are based on expressions between specific intervals, but I do not know how to describe this function family.

What is a Functional Transformation? [08/11/2002]

I would like a brief definition of a functional transformation and what an application is in early Calculus.

What is the Gamma Function? What is Gamma of 4? [05/28/1998]

Deriving G(4) = 3! from the gamma function integral.

When Can Two Functions Be Inverses in Only One Direction? [09/28/2005]

If f and g are functions and f(g(x)) = x but g(f(x)) does NOT = x, then what are f and g?

Which Piece of a Piecewise Function? [09/05/2003]

Given a piecewise function, how do you know which piece to use to compute a function value?

Why Are Functions Important? [02/03/2005]

Why does it matter if something is a function or not?

Why Can't Some Functions be Integrated? [11/06/1996]

How do I evaluate Integral[x tanx dx]?

Why Do Recursive Rational Functions Attract and Repel? [07/10/2008]

Given a recursive linear rational polynomial with two roots, if you recursively apply f(x) the function will converge to one of the roots. Why does the function have a preference to one of the roots? How can you determine the attractor root other than trial and error?

Why Do We Have Functions? [04/01/2003]

Why do we have functions? Why do we have things like (g(x) = x + 3, find g[f(2)] ?

Why use f(x)? [02/14/1999]

Why use f(x) in an equation instead of y?

X^X^X^... = 2 [05/17/2000]

How can I solve x^x^x^... = 2 for x?

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