# Even or odd function

1. Jun 29, 2010

### hofoen

Is this function odd or even:
$$f(x) = 6x(1-x)$$

2. Jun 29, 2010

### CompuChip

If it is odd, then f(-x) = -f(x)
If it is even, then f(-x) = f(x).
You can check which one it satisfies.
Note that it can be neither (i.e. if it is not odd, that doesn't necessarily mean it's even).

3. Jun 29, 2010

### n.karthick

Another approach is, you can plot your function as a graph for different values of x say from -10 to 10. Now you see the graph of f(x) , whether it is symmetrical about y axis. If you see mirror image of function about y axis it is even function and if you see negative reflection it is odd and if it is neither, then it is neither even nor odd function.

4. Jun 29, 2010

### uart

No, it isn't.

5. Jun 29, 2010

### Mute

Once the OP has settled the answer to his/her original question:

Let $x = \frac{1}{2} + y$. In terms of y is the function $g(y) = f(1/2+y)$ even or odd?

(Note that this does not really mean that f(x) is even or odd if g(y) is even or odd, since technically speaking f and g are not the same function, even though they are just the translations of each other).

6. Jun 29, 2010

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Hofoen, please note that a function can be even or odd or neither or both.

That iws uart's point!