Chapter 1 Section 2

Even and Odd Functions

By: Scott Simon

Homework: section 1.2 #'s 47-49,51, 61-71 odd

Today in class we learned that functions can be even, odd, or neither even or odd.

A function is an even function when you plug in the opposite of x (which is negative x) for x and the function remains as it originally was.

Example:

Since the opposite of x makes this function the same as it was with x, it is an even function.

If the opposite of x in a function makes it the opposite of the original function, then it is an odd function.

Example:

This looks like the opposite, but you have to check by solving for the opposite of the function, which means multiplying the whole function by -1. If it is not actually the opposite, then it is neither even nor odd.

This proves that are are opposites, so this function is an odd function.