Worked example: domain and range from graph

0:00The function f of x is graphed. What is its domain? So the way it's graphed right over here, we could assume that this is the entire function definition for f of x. So for example, if we say, well, what does f of x equal when x is equal to negative 9? Well, we go up here.

0:15We don't see it's graphed here. It's not defined for x equals negative 9 or x equals negative 8 and 1/2 or x equals negative 8. It's not defined for any of these values. It only starts getting defined at x equals negative 6. At x equals negative 6, f of x is equal to 5.

0:32And then it keeps getting defined. f of x is defined for x all the way from x equals negative 6 all the way to x equals 7. When x equals 7, f of x is equal to 5. You can take any x value between negative 6, including negative 6, and positive 7, including positive 7, and you just have to see-- you just have to move up above that number, wherever you are, to find out what the value of the function is at that point.

0:59So the domain of this function definition? Well, f of x is defined for any x that is greater than or equal to negative 6. Or we could say negative 6 is less than or equal to x, which is less than or equal to 7. If x satisfies this condition right over here, the function is defined.

1:19So that's its domain. So let's check our answer. Let's do a few more of these. The function f of x is graphed. What is its domain? Well, exact similar argument. This function is not defined for x is negative 9, negative 8, all the way down or all the way up I should say to negative 1.

1:36At negative 1, it starts getting defined. f of negative 1 is negative 5. So it's defined for negative 1 is less than or equal to x. And it's defined all the way up to x equals 7, including x equals 7. So this right over here, negative 1 is less than or equal to x is less than or equal to 7, the function is defined for any x that satisfies this double inequality right over here.

2:00Let's do a few more. The function f of x is graphed. What is its range? So now, we're not thinking about the x's for which this function is defined. We're thinking about the set of y values. Where do all of the y values fall into? Well, let's see. The lowest possible y value or the lowest possible value of f of x that we get here looks like it's 0.

2:25The function never goes below 0. So f of x-- so 0 is less than or equal to f of x. It does equal 0 right over here. f of negative 4 is 0. And then the highest y value or the highest value that f of x obtains in this function definition is 8. f of 7 is 8. It never gets above 8, but it does equal 8 right over here when x is equal to 7.

2:48So 0 is less than f of x, which is less than or equal to 8. So that's its range. Let's do a few more. This is kind of fun. The function f of x is graphed. What is its domain? So once again, this function is defined for negative 2. Negative 2 is less than or equal to x, which is less than or equal to 5.

3:11If you give me an x anywhere in between negative 2 and 5, I can look at this graph to see where the function is defined. f of negative 2 is negative 4. f of negative 1 is negative 3. So on and so forth, and I can even pick the values in between these integers.

3:26So negative 2 is less than or equal to x, which is less than or equal to 5.