Lesson 4- Binary Operation
A binary operation * in a set S is a way of assigning every ordered pair of
elements, a and b, from the set, a unique response called c, where c is also from the
set S.
A * b = c
first element operation second unique
from the set element from response from
the set the set
Binary operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The
value of f(x) is obtained upon assigning a specific value for x. The variable x
represents the independent variable and y represents the dependent variable.
Given y = f(x) and let a be in the domain of f. Then f(a) represents the
second element in the pair of defining f, or the value of the function at x = a. The value
of f(a) is obtained by replacing x by a in f(x).
Examples:
1. Let f(x) = 2x3 – 3x2 -5x + 2
Find: a. f(1)
b. f(-1)
c. f(-3)
Solutions:
a. f(1) = 2x3 – 3x2 -5x + 2
= 2(1)3 – 3(1)2 -5(1) + 2
= 2(1) – 3(1) – 5 + 2
=2–3–5+2
= -4
a. f(-1) = 2x3 – 3x2 -5x + 2
= 2(-1)3 – 3(-1)2 -5(-1) + 2
= 2(-1) – 3(1) + 5 + 2
= -2 -3 + 5 + 2
=2
4−x
2. Let f(x) =
4 x +1
Find:
a. f(2)
1
b. f( )
3
Solutions:
4−x
a. Let f(2) =
4 x +1
4−(2)
=
4 (2)+1
2
=
8+1
2
=
9
1 4−x
b. Let f( ) =
3 4 x +1
1
4−( )
3
=
1
4 ( )+1
3
11/3
=
4 /3+1
11/3
=
7 /3
11
=
7
A binary operation on a set is a calculation involving two elements of the set
to produce another element of the set.
1. Given two functions : f(x) and g(x), then
2. Sum of two functions : f(x) + g(x)
3. Difference of two functions : f(x) – g(x)
4. Product of two functions : f(x) . g(x)
5. Quotient of two functions : f(x) / g(x), g(x) ≠ 0
Example:
Given f(x) = x2 + 1 and g(x) = x2 – x
a. f(x) + g(x)
b. f(x) – g(x)
c. f(x) . g(x)
d. f(x) / g(x)
Solution :
a. f(x) + g(x) = (x2 + 1) + (x2 – x)
= x2 + 1 + x 2 – x
= 2x2 –x + 1
b. f(x) – g(x) = (x2 + 1) - (x2 – x)
= x2 + 1 - x 2 + x
=x+1
c. f(x) . g(x) = (x2 + 1) . (x2 – x)
= x4 – x 3 + x2 – x
f (x ) x 2+1
d. =
g ( x) x 2−x
Exercise:
Perform the indicated operation.
a. f(x) + g(x)
b. f(x) – g(x)
c. f(x) . g(x0
d. f(x) / g(x)
1. f(x) = 2x -5
g(x) = 3x – 4
2. f(x) = x2 – 4
g(x) = x + 2
3. f(x) = 4 – x
g(x) = 2x + 1