Domain of a Graph
Find the domain of a graph of a function; examples with solutions are presented. First the graphical meaning of the concept of the domain of a function is explained.
Domain of a Graph of a Function
The implied domain of a function \( f \) is the set of all values of \( x \) for which \( f(x) \) is defined and real. The graph of a function \( f \) is the set of all points \( (x, f(x)) \). Hence, For a function \( f \) defined by its graph, the implied domain of \( f \) is the set of all the real values \( x \) along the \( x \)-axis for which there is a point on the given graph.As an example there are points on the graph below at \( x = -3, -2.5, -2, -0.5, 2.5, 3, 3.2, 4 \). These values and more other values of \( x \) are included in the domain of \( f \).
There are no points on the graph at \( x = -1 \) (open circle on the graph), \( 0.5 \), \( 1 \), \( 1.5 \), \( 2 \) (open circle). These values and more other values of \( x \) are not included in the domain of \( f \).
![graph of functions domain explanations](http://www.analyzemath.com/DomainRange/domain-of-graph.gif)
With these ideas and definition, we will now solve examples where the whole domain of a given graph is found.
Domain of a Graph; Examples with Detailed Solutions
Example 1
Find the domain of the graph of the function shown below and write it in both interval and inequality notations.
Solution to Example 1
The graph starts at \( x = -4 \) and ends \( x = 6 \). For all \( x \) between \( -4 \) and \( 6 \), there points on the graph. Hence the domain, in interval notation, is written as
\[ [-4 , 6] \]
In inequality notation, the domain is written as
\[ -4 \leq x \leq 6 \]
Note that we close the brackets of the interval because \( -4 \) and \( 6 \) are included in the domain which is indicated by the closed circles at \( x = -4 \) and \( x = 6 \).
Example 2
What is the domain, in interval notation, of the graph of the function shown below?
Solution to Example 2
The graph starts at \( x = -4 \) and ends \( x = 4 \). There are points on the graph for all values of \( x \) between \( -4 \) and \( 4 \) including at \( -4 \) and \( 4 \). Hence the domain, in interval notation, is written as
\[ [-4, 4] \]
Example 3
What is the domain of the graph of the function?
Solution to Example 3
The graph starts at \( x = -8 \) and ends \( x = 8 \). The graph is defined for all \( x \) between \( -8 \) and \( 8 \). We include \( -8 \) and \( 8 \) because of the closed circles at \( x = -8 \) and \( x = 8 \). Hence the domain, in interval notation, is written as
\[ [-8, 8] \]
Example 4
Find the domain of the graph of the function shown below.
Solution to Example 4
The graph starts at \( x = -4 \) and ends \( x = 6 \). The graph is defined for all \( x \) between \( -4 \) and \( 6 \). The interval is closed at \( -4 \) and \( 6 \) because of the closed circles at \( x = -4 \) and \( x = 6 \). Hence the domain, in interval notation is written as
\[ [-4, 6] \]
Example 5
Write the domain of the graph of the function shown below in interval and inequality notations.
Solution to Example 5
The graph starts at values of \( x > -4 \) and ends at values of \( x \lt 4 \). \( x = -4 \) and \( x = 4 \) are not included in the domain because of the open circles at these values. Hence the domain, in interval notation, is written as
\[ (-4 , 4) \]
Note that the interval is open to indicate that \( -4 \) and \( 4 \) are not included in the domain of the graph.
In inequality notation, the same domain is given by
\[ -4 \lt x \lt 4 \]
Note that the strict inequality sign (without equal) is used in the inequality notation of the domain because \( x = -4 \) and \( x = 4 \) are not included in the domain.
Example 6
Write the domain of the graph of the function shown below in interval notation.
Solution to Example 6
The graph starts at values of \( x = -8 \) and ends at values of \( x \lt 2 \). The open circles at \( x = -4 \), \( x = -2 \), and \( x = 2 \) indicate that these values are not included in the domain. Hence the domain, in interval notation, is written as
\[ [-8, -4) \cup (-4, -2) \cup (-2, 2) \]
Note the interval is open at \( x = -4 \), \( x = -2 \), and \( x = 2 \) to indicate that these values are not included in the domain of the graph.
Example 7
Write the domain of the graph of the function shown below in inequality notation.
Solution to Example 7
The graph starts at \( x = -4 \) and ends \( x \lt 2 \). The domain does not include \( x = 2 \) because of the open circle at \( x = 2 \). Hence the domain, in inequality notation, is written as
\[ -4 \leq x \lt 2 \]
In interval notation, the domain is given by \[ [-4 , 2) \]
Example 8
Write the domain of the graph of the function shown below using interval notation
Solution to Example 8
The graph is made up of three parts. The left part is defined for all values of \( x \) between \( -4 \) and \( -2 \). The part in the center is defined on the interval \( x > 0 \) and \( x \leq 4 \). The part on the right is defined for \( x > 6 \) and \( x \leq 8 \). The domain is written as a union of three intervals as follows
\[ [-4, -2] \cup (0, 4] \cup (6, 8] \]
More Links and References
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