Endpoint

Definition

An endpoint is a point at one end of a segment or the starting point of a ray. It represents the limit or boundary of a function on a given interval.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Endpoints are critical in determining the domain and range of functions.
2. In intervals, endpoints can be either included (closed interval) or excluded (open interval).
3. Endpoints are used to define the behavior of graphs at their boundaries, including limits and continuity.
4. When calculating rates of change, endpoints help in identifying specific intervals over which changes occur.
5. Endpoints often indicate where the function starts and stops increasing or decreasing.

Review Questions

• What role do endpoints play in defining the domain and range of a function?
• How do you distinguish between open and closed intervals using endpoints?
• Why are endpoints important when analyzing rates of change in functions?

Related terms

Interval: A set of numbers between two endpoints. Intervals can be open, closed, or half-open, indicating whether their endpoints are included.

Domain: The set of all possible input values (x-values) for which a function is defined, often determined by its endpoints.

Rate of Change: A measure that describes how one quantity changes in relation to another; often calculated over an interval with specific endpoints.