Honors Algebra 2 Name:
Class Notes Date:
Composition and Operations on Functions
We’ve seen how we can take a function and create a new one by transforming its graph. We can also
create new functions by combining multiple functions into a single one!
Given two functions f ( x ) and g( x ) , you can make new functions by:
Adding: f ( x )+g( x )=
Subtracting: f ( x )−g( x )=
Multiplying: f ( x )⋅g( x )=
Dividing: f ( x )÷g( x )=
2
Example #1: Let f ( x )=x +1 and g( x )=3 x +5 . Find the following.
(a) ( f +g ) (1 ) (b) ( f −g ) (−3 ) (c) ( f⋅g ) ( 5 ) (d)
( fg ) ( 0)
Instead of evaluating for specific inputs, we can also write a general function based on x.
2
Example #2: Let f ( x )=x +1 and g( x )=3 x +5 . Find the following.
(a) ( f +g ) ( x ) (b) ( f −g ) ( x ) (c) ( f⋅g ) ( x ) (d)
( fg ) ( x )
Let’s talk about the domains of our new combined functions…
For an element to be in the domain of these new functions, it must be in the domain of ________________ of the
original functions.
If an element is in both domains it will also be in the domain of the combined functions… with one
exception!
f
For the function from part (d) above, g
()
( x )=
x 2 +1
3 x +5 , why is the domain not −∞< x <∞ ?
2
Example #3: Use the functions h( x )=−4 x , j( x )=2 x +4 , and k (x )=8−x to create the new functions below
and find their domains.
(a)
( hj ) ( x ) (b)
j
h()
(x)
(c)
()
h
k
(x)
We have another way of creating a new function given two old ones: function ___________________________
Composition of functions occurs when we apply one function and then another in a specific order.
Notation: __________________ or __________________
2
Exercise #4: Use the two functions G( x )=x and F ( x )=x +1 to find the following.
(a) F ( G ( x ) )= (b) F ( G (−2 ) ) =
(c) G ( F ( x ) )= (d) G ( F (−2 ) ) =
(e) Are F ( G (−2 ) ) and G ( F (−2 ) ) the same?
2
Exercise #5: Use the two new function m( x )=3 x −x and n( x )=2 x +1 to find the following.
(a) m ( n ( x ) )= (b) [ n ∘m ] ( x )
(c) m ( n ( 2 ) )= (d) [ n ∘m ] (2 )
Exercise #6: For the function T ( x )=−5 x ,
(a) Find ( T ∘T ) ( x ) (b) T ( T (T ( x ) ))
Exercise #7: Consider and . What is , and what is its domain?
NOTE: In forming the composition of any two functions and , the range of must be a subset of
the domain of f. One may have to restrict the domain of so that is in the domain of .
8.
a) Sketch the graph of to the right.
b). Find the domain of . c) Find the range of .
_________________________________ ________________________________
d) Find . e) Find the domain and range of .
= _________________________ Domain: _____________________Range: _____________________
Practice:
2
1. If f ( x )=2 x+ 9 , g( x )=−3 x +4 , and h( x )=x , find the following:
(a) [ f ∘ g ] (3) (b) h ( f ( 2) )
(c) g ( h (−5 ) ) (d) f ( g ( 6 ) )
2. Evaluate using the graphs at right.
(a) F (0)= (b) G(0 )=
(c) F ( G(0 ) )= (d) F ( F (−4 ) )=
(e) G ( F(−3 ) )= (f) F ( G(5 ) )=
(g) [ G∘G ] ( 4 )= (h) F ( G ( G(−2 ) ) )=
3 .If and , find .
= _____________________
Domain of : _____________________
Range of : ______________________
