Question

Find (a) The domain. (b) The range. $$ m(x)=9-x $$

Short answer

Answer: The domain and range of the function m(x) = 9-x are both all real numbers, represented as {x ∈ ℝ} for the domain and {y ∈ ℝ} for the range.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Function

Given function is a linear function: $$ m(x) = 9-x $$

Determine the Domain of the Function

As a linear function, m(x) is defined for all real values of x. Therefore, the domain is: $$ \text{Domain} = \{x \in \mathbb{R}\} $$

Find the Range of the Function

A linear function, m(x) is also able to output all real values. There are no restrictions on what y-values m(x) can output. This means that the range is: $$ \text{Range} = \{y \in \mathbb{R}\} $$

Present the Domain and Range of the Function

For the given linear function: $$ m(x) = 9-x $$ The domain is all real numbers: $$ \text{Domain} = \{x \in \mathbb{R}\} $$ The range is all real numbers: $$ \text{Range} = \{y \in \mathbb{R}\} $$

Key concepts

Domain and Range

In the context of linear functions, the domain and range are essential concepts. For any function, the domain encompasses all the possible input values, typically represented by the variable \(x\). It indicates all the values that \(x\) can take. In the case of most linear functions, such as \(m(x) = 9-x\), the domain is all real numbers, denoted as \(\{x \in \mathbb{R}\}\). This is because you can substitute any real number into the function without any mathematical limitations.

The range, on the other hand, refers to all the possible output values, typically represented by \(y\) or \(m(x)\) in our function notation. A linear function like \(m(x) = 9-x\) is capable of producing any real number as an output. Thus, its range is also all real numbers, expressed as \(\{y \in \mathbb{R}\}\).

• The domain tells you what you can input.
• The range tells you what you might get as an output.

Understanding these concepts helps clarify how a function behaves over its entire graph.

Real Numbers

Real numbers are a fundamental element in mathematics, comprising all the numbers on the number line. This includes rational numbers (like fractions and decimals) and irrational numbers (like \(\sqrt{2}\) and \(\pi\)). They provide a comprehensive set of numbers that can be used within the domain and range of many functions, including linear ones.

In the case of the function \(m(x) = 9-x\), both its domain and range are all real numbers. This means:

• Any real number can be an input \(x\) to the function.
• Any real number can be an output \(y = m(x)\) from the function.

This broad definition is typical of linear functions, which do not have the restrictions you might find in others, like rational or trigonometric functions. Understanding real numbers helps ensure you grasp the complete picture of potential inputs and outputs in mathematical functions.

Function Notation

Function notation is a way to represent functions in mathematics. It provides a clear, concise way to indicate the input and output relationship of a function. In the expression \(m(x) = 9-x\), \(m\) is the function name, and \(x\) is the variable or input.

This notation serves several purposes:

• It identifies the function being used (\(m\) in this case).
• It specifies the input variable \(x\).
• It concisely shows the operation performed on \(x\) (subtracting \(x\) from 9).

Using function notation makes it easier to identify what inputs are transformed into what outputs. It also allows for clear communication and understanding of how different functions might interact or be manipulated algebraically. This clarity is particularly useful in solving problems and understanding the nature of functions, like determining domain and range as with \(m(x) = 9-x\).