# 3.7 Function concepts -- function notation

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This module describes notation for functions.

## Function notation

Functions are represented in math by parentheses. When you write $f\left(x\right)$ you indicate that the variable $f$ is a function of—or depends on—the variable $x$ .

For instance, suppose $f\left(x\right)={x}^{2}+3x$ . This means that f is a function that takes whatever you give it, and squares it, and multiplies it by 3, and adds those two quantities.

 $\begin{array}{c}7\to \\ \text{10}\to \\ x\to \\ y\to \\ \text{a dog}\to \end{array}$ $\begin{array}{c}\to f\left(7\right)={7}^{2}+3\left(7\right)=\text{70}\\ \to f\left(\text{10}\right)={\text{10}}^{2}+3\left(\text{10}\right)=\text{130}\\ \to f\left(x\right)={x}^{2}+3x\\ \to f\left(y\right)={y}^{2}+3y\\ \begin{array}{}\to f\left(\text{dog}\right)={\left(\text{dog}\right)}^{2}+3\left(\text{dog}\right)\\ \left(\text{*not in the domain}\right)\end{array}\end{array}$

The notation $f\left(7\right)$ means “plug the number 7 into the function $f$ .” It does not indicate that you are multiplying $f$ times 7. To evaluate $f\left(7\right)$ you take the function $f\left(x\right)$ and replace all occurrences of the variable x with the number 7. If this function is given a 7 it will come out with a 70.

If we write $f\left(y\right)={y}^{2}+3y$ we have not specified a different function . Remember, the function is not the variables or the numbers, it is the process. $f\left(y\right)={y}^{2}+3y$ also means “whatever number comes in, square it, multiply it by 3, and add those two quantities.” So it is a different way of writing the same function.

Just as many students expect all variables to be named $x$ , many students—and an unfortunate number of parents—expect all functions to be named $f$ . The correct rule is that—whenever possible— functions, like variables, should be named descriptively . For instance, if Alice makes \$100/day, we might write:

• Let m equal the amount of money Alice has made (measured in dollars)
• Let t equal the amount of time Alice has worked (measured in days)
• Then, $m\left(t\right)=\text{100}t$

This last equation should be read “ $m$ is a function of $t$ (or $m$ depends on $t$ ). Given any value of the variable $t$ , you can multiply it by 100 to find the corresponding value of the variable $m$ .”

Of course, this is a very simple function! While simple examples are helpful to illustrate the concept, it is important to realize that very complicated functions are also used to model real world relationships. For instance, in Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity, if an object is going very fast, its mass is multiplied by $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{{v}^{2}}{9\cdot {\text{10}}^{\text{16}}}}}$ . While this can look extremely intimidating, it is just another function. The speed $v$ is the independent variable, and the mass $m$ is dependent. Given any speed $v$ you can determine how much the mass $m$ is multiplied by.

Is there any normative that regulates the use of silver nanoparticles?
what king of growth are you checking .?
Renato
What fields keep nano created devices from performing or assimulating ? Magnetic fields ? Are do they assimilate ?
why we need to study biomolecules, molecular biology in nanotechnology?
?
Kyle
yes I'm doing my masters in nanotechnology, we are being studying all these domains as well..
why?
what school?
Kyle
biomolecules are e building blocks of every organics and inorganic materials.
Joe
anyone know any internet site where one can find nanotechnology papers?
research.net
kanaga
sciencedirect big data base
Ernesto
Introduction about quantum dots in nanotechnology
what does nano mean?
nano basically means 10^(-9). nanometer is a unit to measure length.
Bharti
do you think it's worthwhile in the long term to study the effects and possibilities of nanotechnology on viral treatment?
absolutely yes
Daniel
how to know photocatalytic properties of tio2 nanoparticles...what to do now
it is a goid question and i want to know the answer as well
Maciej
Abigail
for teaching engĺish at school how nano technology help us
Anassong
Do somebody tell me a best nano engineering book for beginners?
there is no specific books for beginners but there is book called principle of nanotechnology
NANO
what is fullerene does it is used to make bukky balls
are you nano engineer ?
s.
fullerene is a bucky ball aka Carbon 60 molecule. It was name by the architect Fuller. He design the geodesic dome. it resembles a soccer ball.
Tarell
what is the actual application of fullerenes nowadays?
Damian
That is a great question Damian. best way to answer that question is to Google it. there are hundreds of applications for buck minister fullerenes, from medical to aerospace. you can also find plenty of research papers that will give you great detail on the potential applications of fullerenes.
Tarell
what is the Synthesis, properties,and applications of carbon nano chemistry
Mostly, they use nano carbon for electronics and for materials to be strengthened.
Virgil
is Bucky paper clear?
CYNTHIA
carbon nanotubes has various application in fuel cells membrane, current research on cancer drug,and in electronics MEMS and NEMS etc
NANO
so some one know about replacing silicon atom with phosphorous in semiconductors device?
Yeah, it is a pain to say the least. You basically have to heat the substarte up to around 1000 degrees celcius then pass phosphene gas over top of it, which is explosive and toxic by the way, under very low pressure.
Harper
Do you know which machine is used to that process?
s.
how to fabricate graphene ink ?
for screen printed electrodes ?
SUYASH
What is lattice structure?
of graphene you mean?
Ebrahim
or in general
Ebrahim
in general
s.
Graphene has a hexagonal structure
tahir
On having this app for quite a bit time, Haven't realised there's a chat room in it.
Cied
what is biological synthesis of nanoparticles
how did you get the value of 2000N.What calculations are needed to arrive at it
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