How do I find the domain of f(x)=2xf(x)=2x?

1 Answer
Jan 24, 2015

Since the problem is very simple, I would like not to bother you with theory or definitions, but just try to think about what your problem means.

When people need explanations about functions, I like to tell them to think of functions as some kind of robot, which takes a number as an input, and gives you a number as an output. The problem is that this operation is not always possible. Take, as a simple example, the function \frac{1}{x}1x. What does this "robot" do? You give him a number, and he gives you back 1 divided by that number. You give him 1, he gives you 1; you give him 2, he gives you 1/212, and so on.

The problem is that you can't give that robot 0 as an input, since he won't be able to give you back \frac{1}{0}10 as an output.

So, the problem with domains is: "which numbers would my robot refuse?" "When the operation I'm trying to do is not allowed?"

In your case, your function takes a number, and doubles it. Is there any number you can't double? Of course not, since the double of a number is well defined for every number.

When there are no restrictions, there are no values to exclude, and thus your domain is given by the whole real number set, \mathbb{R}.