Even functions are functions for which the left half of the plane looks like the mirror image of the right half of the plane. Odd functions are functions where the left half of the plane looks like the mirror image of the right half of the plane, only upside-down.

Mathematically, we say that a function f(x) is even if f(x)=f(-x) and is odd if f(-x)=-f(x).

Some examples:

Some even functions

Graph of an even function is symmetric with respect to the y axis

Some odd functions

Graph of an odd function is symmetric with respect to the origin.

[Graph of abs(x)]

[Graph of 1/x]

f(x) = |x|

f(x) = 1/x

[Graph of x squared]

[Graph of x cubed]

f(x) = x2

f(x) = x3

[Graph of cos(x)]

[Graph of sin(x)]

f(x) = cos(x)

f(x) = sin(x)

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