Function Operations and

2.8 Composition
Arithmetic Operations on Functions
The Difference Quotient
Composition of Functions and Domain

2.8 - 1
Operations of Functions
Given two functions ƒ and g, then for all values
of x for which both ƒ(x) and g(x) are defined, the
functions ƒ + g, ƒ – g, ƒg, and ƒ/g are defined as
follows.
( f + g ) ( x ) =f ( x ) + g ( x ) Sum
( f − g ) ( x ) =f ( x ) − g ( x ) Difference
( fg ) ( x ) = f ( x ) g ( x ) Product
 f  f (x)
 g  ( x ) g( x ) , g( x ) ≠ 0
= Quotient
 
2.8 - 2
 Example 1 USING OPERATIONS ON
FUNCTIONS
Let ƒ(x) = x2 + 1 and g(x) = 3x + 5. Find the
following.
a. ( f + g ) (1)
Solution Since ƒ(1) = 2 and g(1) = 8, use
the definition to get
( f + g ) (1) =f (1) + g (1) ( f + g )( x ) =f ( x ) + g( x )
= 2+8
= 10

2.8 - 3
 Example 1 USING OPERATIONS ON
FUNCTIONS
Let ƒ(x) = x2 + 1 and g(x) = 3x + 5. Find the
following.
b. ( f − g ) ( −3 )
Solution Since ƒ(–3) = 10 and g(–3) = –4,
use the definition to get
( f − g ) ( −3 ) = f ( −3) − g ( −3) ( f − g )( x ) =f ( x ) − g( x )
= 10 − ( −4)
= 14

2.8 - 4
 Example 1 USING OPERATIONS ON
FUNCTIONS
Let ƒ(x) = x2 + 1 and g(x) = 3x + 5. Find the
following.
c. ( fg ) ( 5 )
Solution Since ƒ(5) = 26 and g(5) = 20, use
the definition to get
( fg ) ( 5 ) = f (5) g (5)
= 26 20
= 520

2.8 - 5
 Example 1 USING OPERATIONS ON
FUNCTIONS
Let ƒ(x) = x2 + 1 and g(x) = 3x + 5. Find the
following.
 f 
d.   ( 0 )
g
Solution Since ƒ(0) = 1 and g(0) = 5, use
the definition to get
 f  f (0) 1
 g =(0) =
  g (0) 5

2.8 - 6
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.
a. ( f + g ) ( x )
Solution

(f + g ) ( x ) = f ( x ) + g (x ) = 8 x − 9 + 2 x − 1

2.8 - 7
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.
b. ( f − g ) ( x )
Solution

(f − g ) ( x ) = f ( x ) − g( x ) = 8 x − 9 − 2x − 1

2.8 - 8
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.
c. ( fg ) ( x )
Solution

( fg ) ( x ) = (8x − 9)
f ( x ) g ( x ) = 2x − 1

2.8 - 9
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.
 f 
d.   ( x )
g
Solution
 f  f (x) 8x − 9
 g =(x) =
  g( x ) 2x − 1

2.8 - 10
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.

e. Give the domains of the functions.

Solution To find the domains of the functions,

we first find the domains of ƒ and g.

The domain of ƒ is the set of all real numbers

(–∞, ∞).

2.8 - 11
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.

e. Give the domains of the functions.

Solution Since g= (x) 2 x − 1 , the domain

of g includes just the real numbers that
make 2x – 1 nonnegative. Solve 2x – 1 ≥ 0
to get x ≥ ½ . The domain of g is  1 
 2 , ∞ 

2.8 - 12
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.

e. Give the domains of the functions.

Solution The domains of ƒ + g, ƒ – g, ƒg are

the intersection of the domains of ƒ and g,
which is
1  1 
( −∞, ∞ ) ∩  , ∞=  , ∞ 
2  2 

2.8 - 13
 Example 2 USING OPERATIONS OF FUNCTIONS
AND DETERMINING DOMAINS
Let
f (x) =
8 x − 9 and g ( x ) =
2 x − 1. Find the following.

e. Give the domains of the functions.

f
Solution The domains of g includes those
real numbers in the intersection for which
g ( x=
) 2 x − 1 ≠ 0;
f 1 
that is, the domain of is  , ∞  .
g 2 
2.8 - 14
 Example 3 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
OF FUNCTIONS

If possible, use the given representations of

functions ƒ and g to evaluate …

 f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
 

2.8 - 15
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS
 f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
y  
9 y = f (x)
a.
f (4) = 9 g (4) = 2
5 = f ( 4) + g ( 4)
y = g( x ) = 9 + 2 = 11
For (ƒ – g)(–
x 2),although ƒ(–2) = –
–4 –2 0 2 4
3, g(–2) is undefined
because –2 is not in
the domain of g.
2.8 - 16
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS
 f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
y  
9 y = f (x)
a.
f (4) = 9 g (4) = 2
5 = f ( 4) + g ( 4)
y = g( x ) = 9 + 2 = 11
The domains of ƒ
x and g include 1, so
–4 –2 0 2 4
( fg )(=
1) f (1) g (=
1) 3=
1 3

2.8 - 17
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS
 f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
y  
9 y = f (x)
a.
f (4) = 9 g (4) = 2
5 = f ( 4) + g ( 4)
y = g( x ) = 9 + 2 = 11
The graph of g
x includes the origin, so
–4 –2 0 2 4 g ( 0 ) = 0.
 f 
Thus,  ( 0 ) is undefined.
g
2.8 - 18
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS
If possible, use the given representations of
functions ƒ and g to evaluate
 f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
 
b.
x ƒ(x) g(x) f (4) = 9 g (4) = 2
–2 –3 undefined = f ( 4) + g ( 4)
0 1 0 = 9 + 2 = 11
1 3 1 In the table, g(–2)
1 1 undefined is undefined.
4 9 2 Thus, (ƒ–g)(–2) is
undefined.
2.8 - 19
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS
If possible, use the given representations of
functions ƒ and g to evaluate
 f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
 
b.
x ƒ(x) h(x) f (4) = 9 g (4) = 2
–2 –3 undefined = f ( 4) + g ( 4)
0 1 0 = 9 + 2 = 11
1 3 1
( fg )(=
1) f (1) =
(1) 3=
(1) 3
1 1 undefined
4 9 2
2.8 - 20
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS
If possible, use the given representations of
functions ƒ and g to evaluate
 f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
 
b.
x ƒ(x) h(x) f (4) = 9 g (4) = 2
–2 –3 undefined = f ( 4) + g ( 4)
0 1 0 = 9 + 2 = 11
1 3 1  f  f (0)
 g  (0) = g 0 and
1 1 undefined   ( )
4 9 2 is undefined since g ( 0 ) = 0
2.8 - 21
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS
If possible, use the given representations of
functions ƒ and g to evaluate  f 
(f + g )( 4 ) , (f − g )( −2 ) , ( fg )(1) , and  g  (0).
 
c. f ( x ) =+
2 x 1, g ( x ) =x
(f + g ) ( 4 ) = f ( 4 ) + g ( 4 ) = ( 2 4 + 1) + 4 = 9 + 2 = 11
(f
− g ) ( −2 ) = f ( −2 ) + g ( −2 ) = 2 ( −2 ) + 1 − −2
is undefined.
( fg ) (1) = f (1) g (1) = ( 2 1 + 1) 1 = 3 (1) = 3

2.8 - 22
 EVALUATING COMBINATIONS
Example 3 OF FUNCTIONS

c. f ( x ) =+
2 x 1, g ( x ) =x
( f + g ) ( 4 ) = f ( 4 ) + g ( 4 ) = ( 2 4 + 1) + 4 = 9 + 2 = 11
( f − g ) ( −2 ) = f ( −2 ) + g ( −2 ) = 2 ( −2 ) + 1 − −2
is undefined.
( fg ) (1) = f (1) g (1) = ( 2 1 + 1) 1 = 3 (1) = 3

 f 
 g  is undefined.
 
2.8 - 23
 Example 4 FINDING THE DIFFERENCE
QUOTIENT
Let ƒ(x) = 2x2 – 3x. Find the difference
quotient and simplify the expression.
Solution
Step 1 Find the first term in the numerator,
ƒ(x + h). Replace the x in ƒ(x) with x + h.

f ( x + h ) = 2( x + h )2 − 3( x + h )

2.8 - 24
 Example 4 FINDING THE DIFFERENCE
QUOTIENT
Let ƒ(x) = 2x – 3x. Find the difference quotient
and simplify the expression.
Solution
Step 2 Find the entire numerator f ( x + h ) − f ( x ).
Substitute

f ( x + h ) − f ( x )= 2( x + h )2 − 3( x + h ) − (2 x 2 − 3 x )

= 2( x + 2 xh + h ) − 3( x + h ) − (2 x − 3 x )
2 2 2

Remember this
term when Square x + h
squaring x + h
2.8 - 25
 Example 4 FINDING THE DIFFERENCE
QUOTIENT
Let ƒ(x) = 2x – 3x. Find the difference quotient
and simplify the expression.
Solution
Step 2 Find the entire numerator f ( x + h ) − f ( x ).
= 2( x + 2 xh + h ) − 3( x + h ) − (2 x − 3 x )
2 2 2

= 2 x 2 + 4 xh + 2h 2 − 3 x − 3h − 2 x 2 + 3 x
Distributive property

= 4 xh + 2h 2 − 3h Combine terms.

2.8 - 26
 Example 4 FINDING THE DIFFERENCE
QUOTIENT
Let ƒ(x) = 2x – 3x. Find the difference quotient
and simplify the expression.
Solution
Step 3 Find the quotient by dividing by h.
f ( x + h ) − f ( x ) 4 xh + 2h − 3h
2
= Substitute.
h h
h(4 x + 2h − 3)
= Factor out h.
h
= 4 x + 2h − 3 Divide.
2.8 - 27
 Caution Notice that ƒ(x + h) is not the
same as ƒ(x) + ƒ(h). For ƒ(x) = 2x2 – 3x in
Example 4. f ( x + h ) = 2( x + h )2 − 3( x + h )
= 2 x + 4 xh + 2h − 3 x − 3h
2 2

but f ( x ) + f (h ) = (2 x 2 − 3 x ) + (2h 2 − 3h )
= 2 x − 3 x + 2h − 3h
2 2

These expressions differ by 4xh.

2.8 - 28
Composition of Functions and
Domain
If ƒ and g are functions, then the composite
function, or composition, of g and ƒ is
defined by
( g  f )( x ) = g ( f ( x )) .
The domain of g  f is the set of all
numbers x in the domain of ƒ such that ƒ(x)
is in the domain of g.

2.8 - 29
 Example 5 EVALUATING COMPOSITE
FUNCTIONS
4
Let ƒ(x) = 2x – 1 and g(x) =
x −1
a. Find ( f  g )( 2 ) .
4
Solution First find g(2). Since g ( x ) = ,
x −1
4 4
g (2)= = = 4
2 −1 1
Now find ( f=
 g )( 2 ) f=( g ( 2)) f ( 4 ) :
f ( g ( 2=
) ) f ( 4=) 2 ( 4 ) −=
1 7

2.8 - 30
 Example 5 EVALUATING COMPOSITE
FUNCTIONS
4
Let ƒ(x) = 2x – 1 and g(x) =
x −1
b. Find ( g  f ) ( −3).
Solution )( −3 ) g ( f=
( f  g= ( −3 ) ) g ( −7 ) :
4 4
Don’t confuse = =
composition −7 − 1 −8
with
multiplication 1
=− .
2

2.8 - 31
 Example 8 SHOWING THAT ( g  f )( x ) ≠ ( f  g )( x )

Let ƒ(x) = 4x + 1 and g(x) = 2x2 + 5x.

Show that ( g  f )( x ) ≠ ( g  f )( x ) in general.

Solution First, find ( g  f )( x ) .

( g= ( f ( x ) ) g ( 4 x + 1)
 f )( x ) g= f ( x=
) 4x + 1
= 2 ( 4 x + 1) + 5( 4 x + 1) g (=
x ) 2x 2 + 5 x
2

Square 4x + 1;
distributive= 2 (16 x + 8 x + 1) + 20 x + 5
2
property.

2.8 - 32
 Example 8 SHOWING THAT ( g  f )( x ) ≠ ( f  g )( x )

Let ƒ(x) = 4x + 1 and g(x) = 2x2 + 5x.

Show that ( g  f )( x ) ≠ ( g  f )( x ) in general.

Solution First, find ( g  f )( x ) .

= 2 (16 x 2 + 8 x + 1) + 20 x + 5
Distributive
property.
= 32 x 2 + 16 x + 2 + 20 x + 5

= 32 x + 36 x + 7
2
Combine terms.

2.8 - 33
 Example 8 SHOWING THAT ( g  f )( x ) ≠ ( f  g )( x )

Let ƒ(x) = 4x + 1 and g(x) = 2x2 + 5x.

Show that ( g  f )( x ) ≠ ( g  f )( x ) in general.
Solution Now find ( f  g )( x ) .
( f  g )( x ) = f ( g ( x ) )
= f ( 2x + 5 x )
2
g (=
x ) 2x 2 + 5 x

= 4 ( 2x 2 + 5 x ) + 1 f ( x=
) 4x + 1
= 8 x 2 + 20 x + 1 Distributive
property
So... ( g  f )( x ) ≠ ( f  g )( x ) .
2.8 - 34