Domain of FunctionsExplanation

Unless the domain is stated explicitly,

(x) = x2
D: 0 x 5 ,
then by convention, the domain of a function is the set of all xs which when substituted
into the function give a defined answer.
Unless explicitly stated as otherwise, the domain of polynomial functions is all real
numbers. Polynomial functions include lines, parabolas, cubics, absolute value, etc.

1. Rational Function
The domain of a rational function is the set of all real numbers except for those xs which
give a denominator of zero when it is substituted into the function.
Example 1:

(x) =

2
x

[Set the denominator equal to zero and solve]

x=0
Therefore, x = 0 must be excluded from the domain of (x)
so

D: ( - , 0) (0, )
or
D: {x | x 0}

[Interval Notation]
[Set Builder Notation]

-
0
Example 2:

3x
(x) =
( x 1)( x 2)

(x 1)(x + 2) = 0
x1=0
or
x=1

[Set denominator equal to zero and solve]

x+2=0
x = -2

Therefore, x = 1 and x = -2 must be excluded from the domain of (x)

so

D: (- , -2) (-2, 1) (1, )

or
D: {x | x 1 and x -2}

-
-2

Page 1

Domain of FunctionsExplanation
11/2004mm-fd

553