These notes for CBSE Class 12 Mathematics, Chapter 1, cover Relations and Functions. A function f from set A to set B associates each element of A with a unique element of B. The notes define domain, codomain, and range. Functions are classified into algebraic (polynomial, rational, irrational) and transcendental types. Explicit and implicit functions are explained, along with intervals (closed, open, semi-open, semi-closed). Various real functions are detailed with their graphs, domains, and ranges, including constant, identity, linear, quadratic, square root, exponential, logarithmic, power, modulus, signum, greatest integer, least integer, and fractional part functions. Graphs and properties of trigonometric functions are also included. Finally, operations on real functions (sum, product, multiplication by a scalar, composition) and the concept of periodic functions are discussed. These notes are ideal for revising the Relations and Functions chapter for exams.
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NCERT Notes Mathematics for Class 12
Chapter 1:- Relations and Functions
Let A and B be .two non-empty sets, then a function f from set A to set B is a rule whichassociates each element of A to a unique element of B.
It is represented as f: A ? B and function is also called mapping.
f : A ? B is called a real function, if A and B are subsets of R.
Domain and codomain of a function f is a set of all real numbers x for which f(x) is a real
number. Here, set A is domain and set B is codomain.
Range of a Real Function
Range of a real function, f is a set of values f(x) which it attains on the points of its domain.
Classification of Real Functions
Real functions are generally classified under two categories algebraic functions and
transcendental functions.
1. Algebraic Functions
Some algebraic functions are given below
(i) Polynomial Functions If a function y = f(x) is given by
where, a0, a1, a2,…, an are real numbers and n is any non -negative integer, then f (x) is called a
polynomial function in x.
If a0 ? 0, then the degree of the polynomial f(x) is n. The domain of a polynomial function is
the set of real number R.
e.g., y = f(x) = 3x5 – 4x2 – 2x +1
is a polynomial of degree 5.
(ii) Rational Functions If a function y = f(x) is given by f(x) = ?(x) / ?(x)where, ?(x) and ?(x) are polynomial functions, then f(x) is called rational function in x.
(iii) Irrational Functions The algebraic functions containing one or more terms having nonintegral
rational power x are called irrational functions.
e.g., y = f(x) = 2?x –3?x + 6
2. Transcendental Function
A. function, which is not algebraic, is called a transcendental function. Trigonometric, Inverse
trigonometric, Exponential, Logarithmic, etc are transcendental functions.
Explicit and Implicit Functions
(i) Explicit Functions A function is said to be an explicit function, if it is expressed in the form
y = f(x).
(ii) Implicit Functions A function is said to be an implicit function, if it is expressed in the
form f(x, y) = C, where C is constant.
e.g., sin (x + y) – cos (x + y) = 2
(i) The set of real numbers x, such that a ? x ? b is called a closed interval and denoted by [a,
b] i.e., {x: x ? R, a ? x ? b}.
(ii) Set of real number x, such that a < x < b is called open interval and is denoted by (a, b)
i.e., {x: x ? R, a < x < b}
(iii) Intervals [a,b) = {x: x ? R, a ? x ? b} and (a, b] = {x: x ? R, a < x ? b} are called semiopen
and semi-closed intervals.
Graph of Real Functions
1. Constant Function
Let c be a fixed real number.
The function that associates to each real number x, this fixed
number c is called a constant function i.e., y = f{x) = c for all x ? R.
Domain of f{x) = R
Range of f{x) = {c}
The function that associates to each real number x for the same number x, is called the identity
function.
i.e., y = f(x) = x, ? x ? R. Domain of f(x) = R Range f(x) = R
If a and b be fixed real numbers, then the linear function is defmed as y = f(x) = ax + b, where a
and b are constants.
Domain of f(x) = R
Range of f(x) = R
The graph of a linear function is given in the following diagram, which is a straight line with
slope a.
If a, b and c are fixed real numbers, then the quadratic function is expressed as
y = f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, a ? 0 ? y = a (x + b / 2a)2 + 4ac – b2 / 4a
which is equation of a parabola in downward, if a < 0 and upward, if a > 0 and vertex at ( – b /
2a, 4ac – b2 / 4a).
Domain of f(x) = R
Range of f(x) is [ – ?, 4ac – b2 / 4a], if a < 0 and [4ac – b2 / 4a, ?], if a > 0
5. Square Root Function
Square root function is defined by y = F(x) = ?x, x ? 0.
Square root function is defined by y = F(x) = ?x, x ? 0.
Domain of f(x) = [0, ?)
Range of f(x) = [0, ?)
Exponential function is given by y = f(x) = ax, where a > 0, a ? 1.

A logarithmic function may be given by y = f(x) = loga x, where a > 0, a ? 1 and x > 0.
The graph of the function is as shown below. which is increasing, if a > 1 and decreasing, if 0 <
a < 1.
Domain of f(x) = (0, ?)
Range of f(x) = R
The power function is given by y = f(x) = xn ,n ? I,n? 1, 0.
The domain and range of the graph y = f(x), is depend on n.
(a) If n is positive even integer.
i.e., f(x) = x2, x4 ,….
Domain of f(x) = R
Range of f(x) = [0, ?)
(b) If n is positive odd integer.
i.e., f(x) = x3, x5 ,….
Domain of f(x) = R
Range of f(x) = R
(c) If n is negative even integer.
i.e., f(x) = x- 2, x – 4 ,….
Domain of f(x) = R – {0}
Range of f(x) = (0, ?)
(d) If n is negative odd integer.
i.e., f(x) = x- 1, x – 3 ,….
Domain of f(x) = R – {0}
Range of f(x) = R – {0}
Modulus function is given by y = f(x) = |x| , where |x| denotes the absolute value of x, that is
|x| = {x, if x ? 0, – x, if x < 0
Domain of f(x) = R
Range of f(x) = [0, &infi;)
Domain of f(x) = R
Range of f(x) = {-1, 0, 1}
The greatest integer function is defined as y = f(x) = [x]
where, [x] represents the greatest integer less than or equal to x. i.e., for any integer n, [x] = n, if n ? x < n + 1 Domain of f(x) = R Range of f(x) = I
(i) [x + n] = n + [x], n ? I (ii) x = [x] + {x}, {x} denotes the fractional part of x. (iii) [- x] = – [x], -x ? I (iv) [- x] = – [x] – 1, x ? I (v) [x] ? n ? x ? n,n ? I (vi) [x] > n ? x ? n+1, n ? I (vii) [x] ? n ? x < n + 1, n ? I (viii) [x] < n ? x < n, n ? I (ix) [x + y] = [x] + [y + x – [x}] for all x, y ? R (x) [x + y] ? [x] + [y] (xi) [x] + [x + 1 / n] + [x + 2 / n] +…+ [x + n – 1 / n] = [nx], n ? N
The least integer function which is greater than or equal to x and it is denoted by (x).
Thus, (3.578) = 4, (0.87) = 1, (4) = 4, (- 8.239) = – 8, (- 0.7) = 0
In general, if n is an integer and x is any real number between n and (n + 1).
i.e., n < x ? n + 1, then (x) = n + 1
? f(x) = (x)
Domain of f = R
Range of f= [x] + 1
It is denoted as f(x) = {x} and defined as
(i) {x} = f, if x = n + f, where n ? I and 0 ? f < 1
(ii) {x} = x – [x]
i.e., {O.7} = 0.7, {3} = 0, { – 3.6} = 0.4
(iii) {x} = x, if 0 ? x ? 1
(iv) {x} = 0, if x ? I
(v) { – x} = 1 – {x}, if x ? I
(i) Domain = R
(ii) Range = [-1,1]
(iii) Period = 2?
(i) Domain = R
(ii) Range = [-1,1]
(iii) Period = 2?
(i) Domain = R ~ (2n + 1) ? / 2, n ? I
(ii) Range = [- &infi;, &infi;]
(iii) Period = ?
(i) Domain = R ~ n?, n ? I
(ii) Range = [- &infi;, &infi;]
(iii) Period = ?
(i) Domain = R ~ (2n + 1) ? / 2, n ? I
(ii) Range = [- &infi;, 1] ? [1, &infi;)
(iii) Period = 2?
(i) Domain = R ~ n?, n ? I
(ii) Range = [- &infi;, – 1] ? [1, &infi;)
(iii) Period = 2?
Let f: x ? R and g : X ? R be two real functions, then
(i) Sum The sum of the functions f and g is defined as f + g : X ? R such that (f + g) (x) = f(x) + g(x).
(ii) Product The product of the functions f and g is defined as
fg : X ? R, such that (fg) (x) = f(x) g(x)
Clearly, f + g and fg are defined only, if f and g have the same domain. In case, the domain of f
and g are different. Then, Domain of f + g or fg = Domain of f ? Domain of g.
(iii) Multiplication by a Number Let f : X ? R be a function and let e be a real number .
Then, we define cf: X ? R, such that (cf) (x) = cf (x), ? x ? X.
(iv) Composition (Function of Function) Let f : A ? B and g : B ? C be two functions.
We define gof : A ? C, such that
got (c) = g(f(x)), ? x ? A
Alternate There exists Y ? B, such that if f(x) = y and g(y) = z, then got (x) = z
Periodic Functions
A function f(x) is said to be a periodic function of x, provided there exists a real number T > 0, such that F(T + x) = f(x), ? x ? R
The smallest positive real number T, satisfying the above condition is known as the period or the fundamental period of f(x) ..
Testing the Periodicity of a Function
(i) Put f(T + x) = f(x) and solve this equation to find the positive values of T independent of x.
(ii) If no positive value of T independent of x is obtained, then f(x) is a non-periodic function.
(iii) If positive val~es ofT independent of x are obtained, then f(x) is a periodic function and the least positive value of T is the period of the function f(x).
(i) Constant function is periodic with no fundamental period. (ii) If f(x) is periodic with period T, then 1 / f(x) and. ?f(x) are also periodic with f(x) same period T. {iii} If f(x) is periodic with period T1 and g(x) is periodic with period T2, then f(x) + g(x) is periodic with period equal to LCM of T1 and T2, provided there is no positive k, such that f(k + x) = g(x) and g(k + x) = f(x). (iv) If f(x) is periodic with period T, then kf (ax + b) is periodic with period T / |a|’ where a, b ,k ? R and a, k ? 0. (v) sin x, cos x, sec x and cosec x are periodic functions with period 2?. (vi) tan x and cot x are periodic functions with period ?. (vii) |sin x|, |cos x|, |tan x|, |cot x|, |sec x| and |cosec x| are periodic functions with period ?. (viii) sinn x, cosn x, secn x and cosecnx are periodic functions with period 2? when n is odd, or ? when n is even . (ix) tann x and cotnx are periodic functions with period ?. (x) |sin x| + |cos x|, |tan x| + |cot x| and |sec x| + |cosec x| are periodic with period ? / 2.
Even Functions A real function f(x) is an even function, if f( -x) = f(x). Odd Functions A real function f(x) is an odd function, if f( -x) = – f(x).
(i) Even function ± Even function = Even function. (ii) Odd function ± Odd function = Odd function. (iii) Even function * Odd function = Odd function. (iv) Even function * Even function = Even function. (v) Odd function * Odd function = Even function. (vi) gof or fog is even, if anyone of f and g or both are even. (vii) gof or fog is odd, if both of f and g are odd. (viii) If f(x) is an even function, then d / dx f(x) or ? f(x) dx is odd and if dx .. f(x) is an odd function, then d / dx f(x) or ? f(x) dx is even. (ix) The graph of an even function is symmetrical about Y-axis. (x) The graph of an odd function is symmetrical about origin or symmetrical in opposite quadrants. (xi) An even function can never be one-one, however an odd function mayor may not be oneone.
The mapping f: A ? B is a called one-one function, if different elements in A have different images in B. Such a mapping is known as injective function or an injection.
(i) Analytically If x1, x2 ? A, then f(x1) = f(x2) => x1 = x2 or equivalently x1 ? x2 => f(x1) ? f(x2) (ii) Graphically If any .line parallel to x-axis cuts the graph of the function atmost at one point, then the function is one-one. (iii) Monotonically Any function, which is entirely increasing or decreasing in whole domain, then f(x) is one-one. Number of One-One Functions Let f : A ? B be a function, such that A and B are finite sets having m and n elements respectively, (where, n > m). The number of one-one functions n(n – 1)(n – 2) …(n – m + 1) = { nPm, n ? m, 0, n < m The function f : A ? B is called many – one function, if two or more than two different elements in A have the same image in B.
If the function f: A ? B is such that each element in B (codomain) is the image of atleast one element of A, then we say that f is a function of A ‘onto’ B. Thus, f: A ? B, such that f(A) = i.e., Range = Codomain Note Every polynomial function f: R ? R of degree odd is onto. Number of Onto (surjective) Functions Let A and B are finite sets having m and n elements respectively, such that 1 ? n ? m, then number of onto (surjective) functions from A to B is n?r = 1 (- 1)n – r nCr rm = Coefficient ofn in n! (ex – 1)r If f : A ? B is such that there exists atleast one element in codomain which is not the image of Thus, f : A ? B, such that f(A) ? B i.e., Range ? Codomain
(i) If f and g are injective, then fog and gof are injective. (ii) If f and g are surjective, then fog is surjective. (iii) Iff and g are bijective, then fog is bijective.
Let f : A ? B is a bijective function, i.e., it is one-one and onto function.
We define g : B ? A, such that f(x) = y => g(y) = x, g is called inverse of f and vice-versa.
Symbolically, we write g = f-1
Thus, f(x) = y => f-1(y) = x
PART 2 A function f from a non-empty set A to a non-empty set B is a rule that associates each element of A to a unique element of B. It is represented as f: A ? B. The domain is the set of all input values (set A), the codomain is the set of all possible output values (set B), and the range is the set of actual output values attained by the function. Real functions are classified into algebraic functions (polynomial, rational, irrational) and transcendental functions (trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, etc.). An explicit function is expressed as y = f(x), while an implicit function is expressed in the form f(x, y) = C, where C is a constant. A function f(x) is periodic if there exists a positive real number T such that f(T + x) = f(x) for all x. The smallest such T is called the period. The notes cover constant, identity, linear, quadratic, square root, exponential, logarithmic, power, modulus, signum, greatest integer, least integer, and fractional part functions. The composition of two functions f: A ? B and g: B ? C is denoted as gof: A ? C, where (gof)(x) = g(f(x)) for all x in A.
Frequently asked questions
What is a function in mathematics?
What are the domain, codomain, and range of a function?
What are the main classifications of real functions?
What is the difference between explicit and implicit functions?
What is a periodic function?
What are some examples of standard real functions covered in these notes?
How are functions composed?
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