Overview
On this page, you will find some resources to review linear functions (straight lines) and their slopes, as well as some basic facts about general functions, including the domain and range of a function, and interval notation.
Important
Remember that it is up to you to decide how much of the listed resources you need to read or watch, you probably do not need to go through all of it. You might also want to look at the General Study Tips & Tricks page for some recommendations on how to effectively study with a math textbook and videos.
To Read
Read all of: http://mathquest.carroll.edu/CarrollActiveCalculus/S_0_1_Functions.html
and make sure to work on at least the following:
- Activity 0.1.2
- Activity 0.1.3
- Activity 0.1.5
An important note about Interval notation (in English vs French):
Interval notation in French and English is slightly different, and since the majority of the world (including computer systems, such as WeBWorK) follows the English notation (for better or for worse), you should get used to it (especially if you come from a francophone background):
A closed interval (when the endpoints are included) is written using square brackets \([\ ]\) pointing inwards, e.g. \([2,5.5]\) contains all numbers from 2 to 5.5, both of these values included. An open interval (when the endpoints are excluded) is written using round parentheses \((\ )\) pointing inwards, e.g. \((2,5.5)\) contains all numbers from 2 to 5.5, but both of these values excluded. In particular, all parentheses or brackets always point inwards, never outwards (as is done in French notation).
Also note that in English notation we use a decimal dot instead of a comma for decimal numbers, e.g. \(3.5\) instead of (in French notation) \(3,\!5\). Please avoid using the comma in this context, as it causes all sorts of confusion and will not be accepted by most computer systems (including WeBWorK).
To Watch
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Watch this video which explains the Point-Slope Form of the equation of a line, and how to use it:
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To review set and interval notation and inequalities (often needed for the domain or range of a function), watch this video:
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Watch this video which explains how we find the domain of different kinds of functions:
