COMPOSITE FUNCTIONS
Starter
Answer these questions, based on the following functions:
1) Find the value of each 2) Find the value of x if: 3) Find the value of x if f(x) = 2g(x)
function if x = 4 a) f(x) = 65
b) g(x) = -22
Replace f(x)
Sub in 4
and g(x)
Calculate Replace f(x) Expand
bracket
Subtract 5
Add 8,
Divide by 5 Subtract 5x
Sub in 4
Divide by 13
Calculate
Replace g(x)
Add 4
Sub in 4
Divide by 9
Calculate
Composite Functions
• Today we will be continuing our work on
functions
• We will be looking at problems involving
‘Composite functions’
• A Composite Function is one which is
made up of several functions performed
in a certain order
Composite Functions
Lets start with the following functions:
1a) Calculate fg(8) The function fg(8) means you calculate g(8),
and then calculate f(the answer)
Sub in 8
So substitute 8 into g(x) to find the
Calculate value of g(8)
Then take the answer, and substitute it
into f(x)
Sub in 4, which was g(8)
We are calculating ‘f of g of 8’
Calculate
Therefore:
Composite Functions
Lets start with the following functions:
1b) Calculate gf(8) The function gf(8) means you calculate f(8),
and then calculate g(the answer)
Sub in 8
So substitute 8 into f(x) to find the
Calculate value of f(8)
Then take the answer, and substitute it
into g(x)
Sub in 64, which was f(8)
We are calculating ‘g of f of 8’
Calculate
Notice that the order is
important – you get a different
Therefore: answer if it is changed!
Composite Functions
Lets start with the following functions:
1c) Calculate fg(x) The function fg(x) means you calculate g(x),
and then calculate f(the answer)
Sub in x (actually,
nothing happens!) So substitute x into g(x) to find the
value of g(x)
Then take the answer, and substitute it
into f(x)
Sub in (x – 4) for all ‘x’
terms (This was g(x))
Calculate We are calculating ‘f of g of x’
Therefore:
Composite Functions
Lets start with the following functions:
What this does is give us a
single function that can replace
the functions f and g (in this
particular order)
2a) Calculate fg(x)
3x2 + 2
Replace g(x) with its expression in fg(x) This function is equivalent to
performing x2 + 1 followed by
3x - 1
So we need to find f(x2 + 1)
🡪 Replace all ‘x’ terms with ‘x2 + 1’ terms
Expand bracket
Simplify
Composite Functions
Lets start with the following functions:
What this does is give us a
single function that can replace
the functions f and g (in this
particular order)
2a) Calculate gf(x)
9x2 - 6x + 2
Replace g(x) with its expression in fg(x) This function is equivalent to
performing 3x – 1 followed by
x2 + 1
So we need to find g(3x - 1)
🡪 Replace all ‘x’ terms with ‘3x - 1’ terms
Expand bracket
Simplify
Plenary
Set equal to
Find the value of for which fg(x) = gf(x)
each other
Find fg(x) Find gf(x)
Summary
• We have looked at composite functions
• We have seen how they can combine multiple functions
into a single one
• Sometimes the combined equation is simpler, and
sometimes it can be more complicated
• Composite functions can be used in games to describe
motion
🡪 The two separate functions could be based on
horizontal and vertical movement (eg – throwing a ball)
🡪 You can choose these and then combine them to form
an equation for the exact location of a ball at a particular
time…
