Lesson 4: Subtraction of Functions
Grade 11 General Mathematics
Learning Targets
● Identify the domain where two functions can be subtracted.
● Perform subtraction of functions given symbolic, tabular, and graphical representations.
● Model and solve real-life problems using subtraction of functions.
● Check and interpret results in context.
Recall: What Does (f − g)(x) Mean?
Given two functions f and g, their difference is defined by (f − g)(x) = f(x) − g(x) for all x in
the intersection of the domains of f and g.
⚠️Important: Be careful with parentheses when subtracting expressions; distribute the
minus sign!
Guided Examples (Step-by-Step)
Example 1: Polynomial Functions
Let f(x) = 3x + 5 and g(x) = 2x − 4. Find (f − g)(x).
Step 1: Write the definition.
(f − g)(x) = f(x) − g(x)
Step 2: Substitute f(x) and g(x).
(f − g)(x) = (3x + 5) − (2x − 4)
Step 3: Distribute the minus sign across g(x).
(f − g)(x) = 3x + 5 − 2x + 4
Step 4: Combine like terms.
(f − g)(x) = (3x − 2x) + (5 + 4) = x + 9
Answer: (f − g)(x) = x + 9
Example 2: Quadratic Minus Linear
Let f(x) = x² − 4x + 7 and g(x) = 5x − 3. Find (f − g)(x).
Step 1: (f − g)(x) = f(x) − g(x)
Step 2: Substitute: (x² − 4x + 7) − (5x − 3)
Step 3: Distribute minus: x² − 4x + 7 − 5x + 3
Step 4: Combine like terms: x² − 9x + 10
Answer: (f − g)(x) = x² − 9x + 10
Example 3: Rational Functions & Domain
Let f(x) = 1/(x − 2) and g(x) = 4/(x + 1). Find (f − g)(x) and state the domain.
Step 1: (f − g)(x) = f(x) − g(x) = 1/(x − 2) − 4/(x + 1)
Step 2: Find a common denominator: (x − 2)(x + 1)
Step 3: Rewrite each fraction: [(x + 1) − 4(x − 2)] / [(x − 2)(x + 1)]
Step 4: Expand numerators: (x + 1) − 4x + 8 = (x − 4x) + (1 + 8) = −3x + 9
Step 5: Final form: (f − g)(x) = (−3x + 9) / [(x − 2)(x + 1)]
Domain: x ≠ 2, x ≠ −1 (to avoid division by zero).
Example 4: From Tables (Discrete Data)
The functions f and g are defined only at x = 0, 1, 2, 3 as shown:
x f(x) g(x)
0 2 5
1 4 1
2 7 3
3 9 9
To find (f − g)(x), subtract g(x) from f(x) row by row:
x=0: 2 − 5 = −3
x=1: 4 − 1 = 3
x=2: 7 − 3 = 4
x=3: 9 − 9 = 0
So the resulting table of (f − g)(x) is:
x (f − g)(x)
0 -3
1 3
2 4
3 0
Student Practice: Subtracting Functions
Solve each. Simplify your answers. State the domain when applicable.
Part A: Basic Algebraic
1. Let f(x) = 5x − 2 and g(x) = x + 6. Find (f − g)(x).
____________________________________________________________________________
2. f(x) = 2x² + 3, g(x) = x² − 4. Find (f − g)(x).
____________________________________________________________________________
3. f(x) = −3x + 8, g(x) = 4 − x. Find (f − g)(x).
____________________________________________________________________________
4. f(x) = x² − 5x + 4, g(x) = 2x − 7. Find (f − g)(x).
____________________________________________________________________________
5. f(x) = 7, g(x) = 2x² − 1. Find (f − g)(x).
____________________________________________________________________________
Part B: Rational & Domain
6. f(x) = 1/x, g(x) = 2/x. Find (f − g)(x). State domain.
____________________________________________________________________________
7. f(x) = 4/(x−3), g(x) = 1/(x−3). Find (f − g)(x). State domain.
____________________________________________________________________________
8. f(x) = 3/(x+2), g(x) = (x−1)/(x+2). Find (f − g)(x). State domain.
____________________________________________________________________________
9. f(x) = 5/(x−1), g(x) = 2/(x+1). Find (f − g)(x). State domain.
____________________________________________________________________________
10. f(x) = (x+4)/(x−2), g(x) = 3. Find (f − g)(x). State domain.
____________________________________________________________________________
Part C: From Tables / Graphs
Use the table to find (f − g)(x) for each x value.
x f(x) g(x)
-2 -1 4
-1 0 0
0 3 -2
1 5 5
11–13. Complete the (f − g)(x) values, then answer: For which x is (f − g)(x) positive? zero?
negative?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Part D: Word Problems
Show complete solutions. Include units.
14. A ride-hailing service charges f(x) = 45 + 13x pesos for up to 10 km (x in km). A promo
service charges g(x) = 35 + 15x. Write (f − g)(x) and interpret its meaning for x = 5.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
15. A tank is being filled at a rate given by f(t) = 12t + 50 liters (t in minutes) and drained at
g(t) = 4t + 10 liters. Find the expression for (f − g)(t). How much more water has entered
than drained after 6 minutes?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
16. A gadget’s resale value is modeled by f(y) = 20,000(0.8)^y pesos after y years. A
competing model’s value is g(y) = 18,000(0.85)^y pesos. Write (f − g)(y). After 2 years,
which is worth more and by how much?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
17. A rectangular garden’s length (in meters) is given by L(n) = 2n + 5 and width by W(n) =
n + 1, where n is the number of extensions added. Suppose function A(n) = L(n)W(n) gives
area and P(n) = 2[L(n) + W(n)] gives perimeter. Compute (A − P)(n) when n = 3 and
interpret.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
18. Electricity usage (kWh) for House A is modeled monthly by f(m) = 120 + 30m. House B
uses g(m) = 100 + 45m. Write (f − g)(m). For m = 4 (4th month), who used more energy and
by how much?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
