Even and Odd Functions Help

Introduction to Even and Odd Functions

A graph is symmetric if one half looks like the other half. We might also say that one half of the graph is a reflection of the other.

Symmetric Graphs

When a graph has symmetry, we usually say that it is symmetric with respect to a line or a point. The graph in Figure 3.15 is symmetric with respect to the x -axis because the half of the graph above the x -axis is a reflection of the half below the x -axis. The graph in Figure 3.16 is symmetric with respect to the y -axis.

Fig. 3.15 .

Fig. 3.16 .

Fig. 3.17 .

The graph in Figure 3.17 is symmetric with respect to the vertical line x = 2.

Origin of Symmetry

One type of symmetry that is a little harder to see is origin symmetry . A graph has origin symmetry if folding the graph along the x -axis then again along the y -axis would have one part of the graph coincide with the other part. The graphs in Figures 3.18 and 3.19 have origin symmetry.

Fig. 3.18

Fig. 3.19

Knowing in advance whether or not the graph of a function is symmetric can make sketching the graph less work. We can use algebra to decide if the graph of a function has y -axis symmetry or origin symmetry. Except for the function f ( x ) = 0, the graph of a function will not have x -axis symmetry because x -axis symmetry would cause a graph to fail the Vertical Line Test.

For the graph of a function to be symmetric with respect to the y -axis, a point on the left side of the y -axis will have a mirror image on the right side of the graph.

Even and Odd Functions

Even Functions

The graph of a function with y -axis symmetry has the property that (x, y) is on the graph means that (− x, y ) is also on the graph. The functional notation for this idea is f(x) = f (− x). “ f(x) = f (− x)” says that the y value for x (f(x)) is the same as the y -value for − x (f (− x)). If evaluating a function at − x does not change the equation, then its graph will have y-axis symmetry. Such functions are called even functions.

Fig. 3.20

For a function whose graph is symmetric with respect to the origin, the mirror image of ( x , y ) is (− x, − y ).

Fig. 3.21

Odd Functions

The functional notation for this idea is f (− x ) = − f ( x ). “ f (− x ) = − f ( x )” says that the y -value for − x ( f (− x )) is the opposite of the y -value for x (− f ( x )). If evaluating a function at − x changes the equation to its negative, then the graph of the function will be symmetric with respect to the origin. These functions are called odd functions .

In order to work the following problems, we will need the following facts.

a (− x ) ^{even power} = ax ^{even power} and a (− x ) ^{odd power} = − ax ^{odd power}

Examples

Even and Odd Functions Practice Problems

Practice

For 1-4, determine whether or not the graph has symmetry. If it does, determine the kind of symmetry it has. For 5-8, determine if the functions are even, odd, or neither.

1.  

   

   Fig. 3.22

2.  

   

   Fig. 3.23

3.  

   

   Fig. 3.24

4.  

   

   Fig. 3.25

5. f ( x ) = x ³ + 6

6. f ( x ) = 3 x ² − 2

   

Solutions

Find practice problems and solutions for these concepts at Functions and Their Graphs Practice Test.