Type A (y=f(x))

In a strict mathematic sense, y is just a variable. When someone writes "y=f(x)", it

means that the value of y depends on the value of x, which is another variable. That is,
for different values of x, there is a function, called f(x), which determines the value of y.

The x variable is therefore called the "independent" variable, while the y variable is
called the "dependent" variable because it's value "depends" on the value of x.

So, in short. The expression y=f(x) is basically a formal way of stating which one is the
independent variable (in this case, x) and which one is the dependent one.

The equation y=f(x)y=f(x) is an equation in two variables, xx and yy.

The graph of the equation y=f(x)y=f(x) is the picture of all the

points (x,y)(x,y) that make it true;
observe that to make this equation true, yy must equal f(x)f(x).
Thus, the graph of the equation y=f(x)y=f(x) is the set of all points of the
form (x,y f(x))(x,f(x)y).
Type B y^2=f(x)

y2=f(x) is undefined where f(x)<0.

y=f(x) and y2=f(x) intersect where y=0 or 1.
As long as y>0, the gradients of y=f(x) and y2=f(x) have the same sign for a certain x value,
and they have stationary points located at the same x values.
y2=f(x) is symmetrical about the x-axis.
At the x values where y=f(x) passes through the x-axis, provided f'(x)0, y2=f(x) passes
vertically through the x-axis.

Double root

()
2 =
()