GENERAL MATHEMATICS Lesson 1.
4: Composition of Functions
CHAPTER 1:FUNCTIONS &THEIR GRAPHS
Lesson 1: Functions
Function- a relation in which each element of the
domain corresponds to exactly one element of range; a
relation where each element in the domain is related to
only one value in the range by some rule; is a set of
ordered pairs (x,y) such that no two ordered pairs have
the same x-value but different y-values. Using
functional notation, we can write f(x) = y, read as “f of
x is equal to y.” In particular, if (1, 2) is an ordered pair
associated with the function f, then we say that f(2) = 1
Domain- set of the first coordinates or the x( the set D
is the domain of f)
Range- set of the second coordinates or the y ( the set R
is the range of f)
Relation- a rule that relates values from a set of values
(called the domain) to a second set of values (called the
range); set of ordered pairs (x,y).
Functions Defined by Equation
Defining a function by displaying the rule of
correspondence in a table or listing all the ordered
pairs only works if the domain and range are finite.
Vertical Line Test for a Function - if each vertical
line in a rectangular coordinate system passes through
at most one point on the graph of the equation but if it
passes through two or more points on the graph then the
equation does not define a function
Domain of a Function- set of all inputs for the
function; may be stated explicitly
Piecewise Function- known as compound function;
defined by multiple sub-functions where each sub-
function applies to a certain interval of the main
functions of the domain
Lesson 1.2: Evaluating a Function
Evaluating a function- finding the value of the
function for a given value of the variable
Lesson 1.3: Operations on a Function
Operations on a Function- for all the values of x for
which both g(x) and h(x) are defined
SUM: (g + h)(x)= g(x)+h(x)
DIFFERENCE: (g-h)(x)= g(x)-h(x)
PRODUCT: (gh)(x)= g(x) . h(x)
QUOTIENT: (g/h)(x)= g(x)/h(x); h(x) #0
Composition of Functions - another method of
contributing a function from two given functions;
consists of using the range element of one function as
the domain element of another function
The composite of function or composition of f by g, is
given by (g o f) (x)=g[f(x)] for all x in the domain of f
such that f(x) is in the domain of g
Lesson 2.1: Rational Equations
Rational Equations- equations that contain rational
expressions; it can be solved using the techniques for
performing operations with rational expressions and for
solving algebraic equations
Rational Function- a function of the form f(x)=
P(x)/Q(x) where P and Q are polynomials. The domain
are consists of all real nos. x except those for which the
denominator is zero.
Lesson 2.2: Rational Inequality
rational Inequality - is an inequality which contains a
rational expression. The trick to dealing with rational
inequalities is to always work with zero on one side of
the inequality.
Lesson 2.3: Rational Functions
Rational Function- a function of the form f(x)=P
(x)/Q(x) where P&Q are polynomials. The domain of a
rational function consists of all real nos. x except those
for which the denominator is zero
x- a^- : x approaches a from the left
x- a^+ : x approaches a from the right
x(negative infinity): x goes to negative infinity; that is,
x decreases without bound
x(positive infinity): x goes to infinity; that is, x
increases without bound
Vertical Asymptotes- the line x= a of the function
y=f(x) if y approaches (pos.&neg.)infinity as x
approaches a from the right or left
Horizontal Asymptote- the line y=b of the function
y=f(x) if y approaches b as x approaches (pos.&neg.
infinity)
Theorem on Vertical Asymptote- If the real nos. a is
a zero of the denominator Q(x), then the graph of f(x)=
P(x)/Q(x), where P(x) and Q(x) have no common
factors, has the vertical asymptote x=a
Oblique Asymptote- also known as diagonal or slant
asymptote; the line y= mx+b is an oblique asymptote
for the graph of f(x); if f(x) gets close to mx+b or x gets
really large or really small