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Functions and Graphs - Simple functions, function notation, & graphs

Please select a resource from the list below.

Quick Reference

  • The graph of a function
    This leaflet reminds students of important conventions associated with graph plotting. It explains the terms dependent variable and independent variable.
  • The graph of a function
    A very useful pictorial representation of a function is the graph. In this leaflet, we remind you of important conventions when plotting a graph.
  • What is a function ?
    This introductory leaflet explains what is meant by a function, gives functional notation, and some simple examples
  • What is a function?
    A quantity whose value can change is known as a variable. Functions are used to describe the rules which define the ways in which such a change can occur. The purpose of this leaflet is to explain functions and their notation.

Teach Yourself

  • Introduction to functions
    A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions.

Test Yourself

Video

A transcript of each video should be available in the Teach Yourself section above.

(This site uses Windows Media technologies from Microsoft to deliver video streams. Streaming facilities are kindly provided by University of Portsmouth Creative Technologies, http://stream.port.ac.uk)

These videos require Windows Media Player (v10).

Please note: You may experience trouble with more recent upgrades to Internet Explorer (now v.7) and Media Player (now v.11). These no longer support streaming from the mms servers used by mathcentre, so we are recommending that you uninstall IE7 (IE6 lies underneath) and replace the new version of WMP with the fully functioning v.10 (you may need to find a download via google after uninstalling v.11). All those that have done this have reported back that everything is working again.

  • Introduction to functions
    A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions. (Mathtutor Video Tutorial)

iPOD Video

  • Introduction to Functions - Part 1
    IPOD VIDEO: A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions.
  • Introduction to Functions - Part 2
    IPOD VIDEO: A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions.
  • Introduction to Functions - Part 3
    IPOD VIDEO: A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions.
  • Introduction to Functions - Part 4
    IPOD VIDEO: A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions.
  • Introduction to Functions - Part 5
    IPOD VIDEO: A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions.
  • Introduction to Functions - Part 6
    IPOD VIDEO: A function is a rule which operates on one number to give another number. However, not every rule describes a valid function. This unit explains how to see whether a given rule describes a valid function, and introduces some of the mathematical terms associated with functions.