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MasterMath

Domain and Range Calculator

The domain of a function, read off its expression, and the values it takes over the interval you choose.

Domain in the interval

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Domain in the interval—
Values it takes—
Restrictions in the expression—
Smallest value—
Largest value—
Stretches where it exists—

How it was solved

    Indicative result. The domain is read off the expression and is exact. The range, though, comes from exploring the interval you give point by point: it is a numerical exploration, not a proof, and outside that interval the function may take other values.

    The formula

    denominator ≠ 0 · even root ≥ 0 · logarithm > 0

    Why it works

    The domain does not have to be guessed: it is read off the expression itself, because only three things can spoil a real calculation. A denominator cannot be zero, an even root does not take negative arguments and a logarithm needs a strictly positive one. Any other combination of sums, products and powers works on the whole line. There is no equivalent rule for the range: it depends on the whole function and generally needs the extrema studied, so here it is explored numerically and said to be an exploration.

    How to solve it by hand

    1. Find the denominators and note where they vanish: those points leave the domain
    2. Find the even roots: their argument has to be greater than or equal to zero
    3. Find the logarithms: their argument has to be strictly positive
    4. For the range, walk the domain and note the largest and smallest values

    What is worth knowing

    Mind the difference between even and odd roots: the cube root of a negative number exists perfectly well, and only even indices restrict anything. And with a logarithm the restriction is strict: zero is out too, not only the negatives. When reading the result, look at the stretches: if the function comes back split into two or more pieces, there is a vertical asymptote in between, and the domain is a union of intervals rather than one. The exploration interval can be changed, and with fast-growing functions it is worth narrowing it to see anything.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do you find the domain of a function?

    By finding what the expression forbids: denominators that vanish, even roots of negatives and logarithms of zero or less.

    What is the domain of 1/x?

    Every real number except zero, because that is where the denominator vanishes.

    And a square root?

    The values where the argument is zero or more. A cube root, by contrast, restricts nothing.

    Is the range exact?

    No: here it comes from exploring the interval you give. The domain is exact, because it is read off the expression.