Topic 3
Operations on Functions
GENMATH
Chemical Engineering Department
Dr. Susan A. Roces
1T, AY 2024 - 2025
Review: What is a function?
• A relationship where every domain (x-value) has
exactly one unique range (y-value).
• Sometimes we talk about a FUNCTION
MACHINE, where a rule is applied to each
input of x
Operations on Functions
For all functions f and g:
1. Addition: ( f + g) (x) = f ( x ) + g ( x )
2. Subtraction: ( f − g) ( x ) = f ( x ) − g ( x )
3. Multiplication: ( f ⋅ g) ( x ) = f ( x ) ⋅ g ( x )
⎛f⎞ f ( x)
4. Division: ⎜ ⎟( x) = where g ( x ) ≠ 0
⎝g⎠ g ( x)
The domains of the functions from (1) to (4) is the
intersection of the domains of f and g, with the
added restriction on (4) that g(x) ≠ 0.
Adding and Subtracting Functions
1. Let f ( x ) = 3x + 8 and g ( x ) = 2x −12.
Find: a. (f + g) and b. (f - g)
Solution : Note:
a. ( f + g) (x) = f ( x ) + g ( x ) When we look at functions
= (3x + 8) + (2x −12) we also want to look at their
= 5x − 4 domains (valid x-values).
In this case, the domain is all
b. ( f − g) (x) = f ( x ) − g ( x )
real numbers.
= (3x + 8) − (2x −12)
= 3x + 8 − 2x +12
= x + 20
Multiplying Functions
2
2. Let f ( x ) = x -1 and g ( x ) = x +1.
Find (f ⋅ g)
Solution :
f ( x ) ⋅ g(x) = (x 2 −1)(x +1)
= x 3 + x 2 − x −1
Note:
In this case, the domain is all real numbers
because there are no values that will make
the function invalid.
Dividing Functions
2
3. Let f ( x ) = x -1 and g ( x ) = x +1.
⎛f ⎞
Find ⎜ ⎟, State any domain restrictions.
⎝g⎠
Solution : Note:
f ( x ) x 2 −1 In this case, the domain is all
=
g ( x ) x +1 real numbers EXCEPT - 1,
because x = -1 would give a
(x −1)(x +1) zero in the denominator.
=
(x +1)
= x −1
Let’s Try Some
2
Let f (x ) = 5x -1 and g(x ) = 5x + 1.
Find f (x) + g ( x) What is the domain? Find f (x) − g ( x)
Let’s Try Some
2
Let f (x ) = 5x -1 and g(x ) = 5x + 1.
Find f (x) + g ( x) What is the domain? Find f (x) − g ( x)
f ( x ) + g(x) f ( x ) − g(x)
2 2
= 5x −1+ 5x +1 = 5x −1− 5x −1
2 2
= 5x + 5x = 5x − 5x − 2
D = All real numbers. D = All real numbers.
Let’s Try Some
2
Let f (x ) = 6 x + 7x - 5 and g(x ) = 2 x − 1.
f (x )
Find f (x)⋅ g ( x) What is the domain? Find
g(x)
Let’s Try Some
2
Let f ( x ) = 6x + 7x-5 and g ( x ) = 2x −1.
f (x )
Find f (x)⋅ g ( x) What is the domain? Find
g(x)
f ( x ) ⋅ g(x)
= (6x 2 + 7x-5 )(2x −1)
= 12x 3 +14x 2 −10x − 6x 2 − 7x +5
=12x 3 + 8x 2 −17x +5
D = All real numbers.
Let’s Try Some
2
Let f ( x ) = 6x + 7x-5 and g ( x ) = 2x −1.
f ( x)
D = All real numbers
g(x) except x = 1/2
6x 2 + 7x-5
=
2x −1
(3x + 5)(2x −1)
=
2x −1
= 3x + 5
Composition of Functions
Definition:
Ø when you combine two or more functions
Ø when the output of one function is used as the input of
another function, we call the entire operation as a
composition of functions
• The composition of f and g, denoted by f g, is
defined by f (g (x) ), written as:
( f ! g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ))
Composition of Functions
( f ! g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ))
1
2
Steps:
1. Evaluate the inner function g(x) first.
2. Then use your answer as the input of the
outer function f(x).
Composition of Functions
( f ! g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ))
1
2
Note:
Ø The domain of y = f (g (x) )is the set of all x such that x
is in the domain of g and g(x) is in the domain of f.
Ø The function f g is called the composite of
function of f with g.
Illustrative Examples
1. Let f (x) = x 2 −1 and g(x) = 3x
Find a. ( f ! g) (x) and b. ( g ! f ) (x)
Solution:
a. ( f ! g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ))
= f (3x )
2 2
= (3x ) −1 = 9x −1
Illustrative Examples
2
Let f (x) = x −1 and g(x) = 3x
b. ( g ! f ) ( x ) = g ( f ( x ))
= g ( x −1)
2
= 3 ( x 2 −1)
2
= 3x − 3
Illustrative Examples
1
2. Let f (x) = and g(x) = x +1
x
Find a. ( f ! g) (x) and b. ( g ! f ) (x)
Solution:
a. ( f ! g ) ( x ) = f ( g ( x ))
=f ( x +1 )
1
=
x +1
Illustrative Examples
1
Let f (x) = and g(x) = x +1
x
b. ( g ! f ) ( x ) = g ( f ( x ))
⎛1⎞
= g⎜ ⎟
⎝x⎠
1
= +1
x
Illustrative Examples
2
3. Let f ( x ) = x − 2 and g ( x ) = x
Find ( g ! f ) (−5)
Solution: (g ! f )(x) = g( f (x))
= g(x − 2)
= (x − 2)2
2
(g ! f )(− 5) = (− 5 − 2)
2
= (−7) = 49
Illustrative Examples
2
Let f (x ) = x − 2 and g (x ) = x . Find (g ! f )(− 5)
Another Solution:
(g ! f )(x) = g( f (x))
= g ( f (−5))
= g(−5 − 2)
= g (−7)
2
= (−7) = 49
Illustrative Examples
4. Let f (x) = x 2 +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
Find;
f g
a). Domain of f + g, f − g, f ! g, and
g f
f
b). (0)
g
c). ( f ! g) (x) and its domain
d). ( g ! f ) (x) and its domain
Illustrative Examples
Let f (x) = x 2 +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
f g
Find a). Domain of f + g, f − g, f ! g, and
g f
Solution :
a). Domain of f + g, f − g, f • g
Since the domain of f is R and the domain of g is
{x/x ≥ 2/3}, then the domain of f + g, f – g and f g
will be the intersection of (or what is common to) the
two domains which is {x/x ≥ 2/3}.
Illustrative Examples
Let f (x) = x 2 +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
f
a). Domain of
g
The domain of f/g is also the intersecton of the two
domains with the added condition that the
denominator of g(x) ≠ 0.
Now g(x) = 0 when x = 2/3 so we do not include
2/3 in the domain.
Thus, the domain of f/g will be {x/x > 2/3}.
Illustrative Examples
Let f (x) = x 2 +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
g
a). Domain of
f
The domain of g/f is also the intersection of the two
domains with the added condition that the
denominator of f(x) ≠ 0.
Now f(x) = x2 + 1 cannot be 0 for any value of x so
there is no added restriction for the domain of g/f.
Thus, the domain of g/f will be {x/x ≥ 2/3}.
Illustrative Examples
2
Let f (x) = x +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
f
Find : b). (0)
g
Solution :
2
f f (0) 0 +1
b). (0) = = is undefined because
g g(0) 0−2
the deno min ator is not defined.
Illustrative Examples
2
Let f (x) = x +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
Find : c). ( f ! g) (x) and its domain
Solution :
( f ! g) (x) = f (g(x))
=f ( 3x − 2 )
2
= ( 3x − 2 +1)
= 3x − 2 +1 = 3x −1
Illustrative Examples
Let f (x) = x 2 +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
Find : c). ( f ! g) (x) and its domain
Solution :
Ø The domain of f (g (x) )is the set of all x such that x is
in the domain of g and g(x) is in the domain of f.
The domain of ( f ! g) (x)
= {x / x ε Dg and g(x) ε D f }
2
= {x / x ≥ and 3x − 2 ε R}
3
2 2 2
= {x / x ≥ and x ≥ } = {x / x ≥ }
3 3 3
Illustrative Examples
2
Let f (x) = x +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
Find : d). ( g ! f ) (x) and its domain
Solution :
( g ! f ) (x) = g( f (x))
2
= g(x +1)
= 3(x 2 +1) − 2
= 3x 2 + 3− 2 = 3x 2 +1
Illustrative Examples
Let f (x) = x 2 +1 and g(x) = 3x − 2
Find : d). ( g ! f ) (x) and its domain
Solution :
Ø The domain of g (f (x) )is the set of all x such that x is
in the domain of f and f(x) is in the domain of g.
The domain of ( g ! f ) (x)
= {x / x ε D f and f (x) ε Dg }
2 2
= {x / x ε R and x +1 ≥ }
3
= {x / x ε R and x ε R} = {x / x ε R }
Homework 3: Operations on Functions
I. For each of the following find : f + g and f − g.
1. Let f (x) = 20x + 7 and g(x) = −3x
2 2
2. Let f (x) = −7x +12x + 5 and g(x) = 7x − 5
Homework 3: Operations on Functions
g f
II. For each of the following find : f • g, and .
f g
and find its domain.
2
1. Let f (x) = −x and g(x) = 3x
2
2. Let f (x) = 3x −1 and g(x) = 5x − 2
3. Let f (x) = 7x −1 and g(x) = 2x − 6
Homework 3: Operations on Functions
III. For each of the following find ( f ! g) (x) and
( g ! f ) (x) and its domain.
1. Let f (x) = x +1 and g(x) = 2x
2. Let f (x) = 3x and g(x) = 2x + 3
3. Let f (x) = 2x − 3 and g(x) = x + 4
2
4. Let f (x) = −2x and g(x) = −2x + 3
2
5. Let f (x) = −4x + 3x −1 and g(x) = 3
3 2
6. Let f (x) = x and g(x) = x + 7
