Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

Differences Between Codomain And Range in Functions

Reviewed by:
ffImage
hightlight icon
highlight icon
highlight icon
share icon
copy icon

What Is the Difference Between Codomain and Range with Examples

There are many concepts in Math that can surprise one and also come as a challenge for the students. Like numbers, there is no end to the mysteries of mathematics. The deeper you go in the world of mathematics, the more magnificent it gets. Codomain and Range is one such concept. So today we are here to learn about the differences between Codomain and Range.


But to understand all this we first need to know what a function is. Do you know what a function is? Any relation defined over two different sets is a function, provided that every element that is a part of the first set has a corresponding element in the second set of the relation. However, the relation or the correspondence of the first set's elements must be with exactly one element of the second set. 


Function Explained with Example

To understand the definition clearly let’s take an example. Say there are two sets namely, set A and set B. The relation is from set A to set B. So, for this relationship to be a function, all the elements of set A should have a corresponding and unique element in set B. A function is represented in the following manner:


F(x) = Y


Example:-


y=x² is a function where x and y belong to real numbers. Here, set A and set B have all the numbers that are present in real numbers.


Domain 

A domain is a group of possible values that the independent variable can take. This means the set of all the possible values that ‘x’ can take in the function f is the domain of the given function. A domain is a set of pre-images. According to the example taken above, set A is the domain of the function.


Example:-


y=x+4


The domain of the above function: (-∞,∞)


Codomain

A codomain is the group of possible values that the dependent variable can take. This means that the set of all the possible values that ‘y’ can take in the function f is the codomain of the given function. A codomain is a set of images. According to the example taken above, set B is the codomain of the function


Range

The range is all the elements from set B that have the corresponding pre-image in set A. Hence, a range can also be defined as the set of all the possible values of the function that we receive upon taking the different values of x in the function f.


Example:- 


Taking the example taken above,  y = x + 4


Here y0 is the range of the given function. So we can write this as the range of the function is (-∞,∞).


(Image will be uploaded soon)


Domain and Range

Here are the domain and range of some common functions that we see very frequently while solving mathematics-


S.NO.

Types of function

Domain

Codomain

1.

f(x) = x

(-∞ , + ∞)

(-∞ , + ∞)

2.

f(x) = x²

(-∞ , + ∞)

[0 , + ∞)

3.

f(x) = sin ( x )

(-∞ , + ∞)

[−1,1]

4.

f(x) = cos ( x )

(-∞ , + ∞)

[−1,1]

5.

f(x) = sin⁻¹( x )

[−1,1]

[−π/2,π/2]

6.

f(x) = cos⁻¹( x )

[−1,1]

[0,π]

7.

f(x) = a x

(-∞ , + ∞)

(0 , +∞)

8.

f(x) = Logₐ ( x )

(0 , + ∞)

(-∞ , + ∞)


Types of Functions

There are five types of functions on the basis of how the domain and codomain is related. 


  1. One-One functions

  2. Many-one functions

  3. Onto functions

  4. Into functions

  5. One-One and Onto functions


They are discussed in detail below.


  1. One-One Functions

When each element of the domain has a distinct image in the codomain then the function is the One-One function. It is also called the injective function.


  1. Many-One Functions

When two or more elements of the domain do not have a distinct image in the codomain then the function is Many -One function.


  1. Onto Functions

When each element of the codomain has a  distinct image in the domain then the function is Onto function. It is also called the surjective function.


  1. Into Functions

When two or more elements of the codomain do not have a distinct image in the domain then the function is Into function.


  1. One-One and Onto Functions

When each element of the domain has a distinct image in the codomain and when each element of the codomain has a  distinct image in the domain then the function is One-One and Onto function. It is also called bijective function.


Now let’s summarize the difference between Codomain vs Range


Although it might be easy to understand the concepts pertaining to range and domain, it is not really the case with their distinctions. To summarize, we have the following bases that can clear all your doubts between the two:


Difference between Codomain Vs Range


Basics of distinction

Codomain

Range

MEANING

When it comes to a codomain, it is basically the group of values that are possible in the case of what can be taken by the dependent variable. The meaning of this comes as a simple one: The set of possible values which are all something that a ‘y’ variable can take in the f function is what a codomain is. This pertains only to a given function. 

A range is basically what all the elements are from a second set, let’s say B, which has the pre-image that is present in the first set, A. In other words, a range is a subset of the codomain, which pertains to a set of possible values of f as a function. It is one that is received when we take into account the different values of a variable x.


PURPOSE

A codomain has the nature of restricting the output of a particular function. 

A range is not something that can restrict the output of a specific function.

RELATION

A codomain is in relation to the meaning of a function.

A range is related to a function’s image.

EXAMPLE

If L = {1, 2, 3, 4} and M = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} and the relation f: A B is defined by f (x) = x2 Codomain = Set M = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}

If L = {1, 2, 3, 4} and M = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} and the relation f: A B is defined by f (x) = x2. Range = {1, 4, 9}


Fun Facts

  1. The domain, codomain, and range are not always equal. In some cases, it can be equal.

  2. The range is a subset of the codomain.

  3. The denominator of the given function can never be zero.


This is all about the differences between codomain and range with proper examples. Focus on the core concepts so that you can easily understand the differences easily.

FAQs on Differences Between Codomain And Range in Functions

1. What is the difference between codomain and range?

The codomain is the set of all possible outputs defined for a function, while the range is the set of actual outputs the function produces.

  • Codomain: Declared output set in the function definition.
  • Range: Values actually obtained after substituting all elements of the domain.
  • The range is always a subset of the codomain.
For example, if f(x) = x² with domain ℝ and codomain ℝ, then the range is {y | y ≥ 0}.

2. What is the codomain of a function?

The codomain of a function is the set of values that the function is allowed to output according to its definition.

  • Written as: f: A → B
  • A = domain
  • B = codomain
The codomain is chosen when defining the function and may include values the function never actually produces.

3. What is the range of a function?

The range of a function is the set of all actual output values obtained by substituting every element of the domain.

  • Also called the image of the function.
  • Found by evaluating f(x) for all x in the domain.
  • Range ⊆ Codomain.
For example, if f(x) = x² and domain is {−2, −1, 0, 1, 2}, then the range is {0, 1, 4}.

4. Is the range always equal to the codomain?

No, the range is not always equal to the codomain; it is only equal when the function is onto (surjective).

  • If every element of the codomain is mapped to by some element in the domain, then range = codomain.
  • Otherwise, the range is a proper subset of the codomain.
For example, f(x) = x² from ℝ to ℝ is not onto because negative numbers are in the codomain but not in the range.

5. How do you find the range of a function?

To find the range of a function, substitute domain values into the function and determine all possible outputs.

  • Step 1: Identify the domain.
  • Step 2: Compute f(x).
  • Step 3: Determine restrictions on y.
Example: For f(x) = 2x + 3 with domain ℝ, the range is because linear functions take all real values.

6. Can you give an example showing codomain and range?

Yes, in the function f: {1,2,3} → {2,4,6,8} defined by f(x) = 2x, the codomain is {2,4,6,8} and the range is {2,4,6}.

  • f(1) = 2
  • f(2) = 4
  • f(3) = 6
The value 8 is in the codomain but not in the range.

7. Why is the codomain important in functions?

The codomain is important because it determines whether a function is onto (surjective) and affects function properties.

  • If range = codomain → function is surjective.
  • It helps define inverse functions.
  • It clarifies the intended output set.
Changing the codomain can change whether a function is considered onto.

8. What is the relationship between range and image?

The range of a function is the same as its image, meaning the set of actual output values.

  • Image = f(A), where A is the domain.
  • It contains only produced outputs.
  • Image ⊆ Codomain.
Thus, in function terminology, range and image are interchangeable.

9. Does every function need a codomain?

Yes, every function must have a codomain because a function is formally defined as f: A → B.

  • A = domain
  • B = codomain
Without specifying a codomain, the function definition is incomplete in formal mathematics.

10. What is a common mistake when understanding codomain and range?

A common mistake is thinking that the codomain and range are always the same.

  • The codomain is chosen when defining the function.
  • The range depends on actual outputs.
  • Range may be smaller than the codomain.
Always check whether every element of the codomain is actually achieved by the function.