Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

Solving Problems
Involving Functions

JONATHAN W. GANTANG
TEACHER III

JANE P. VALENCIA, EdD

Topic: Solving Problems Involving Functions
Learning Competency: Solve problems involving functions

BREAKING NEWS!
A new breed of virus has been detected. IRRATIONAL-XYZ Virus is known
to confuse students in mathematics.

HA..HA..HA..HA..
I'm Irrational-XYZ Virus. I'm here
to confuse you. I know you are
having a hard time with math.

Don't you know I am a

frontliner? I have all the
necessary tools to defeat
you!
Let's find out if you
can beat me.
Let's see.
I am exposed to a lot of
problems, so that one is
a piece of cake for me.

DEFINITION
Let f and g be functions
Their sum ,denoted by (f + g)(x), is the function denoted by (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)
Their difference ,denoted by (f - g)(x), is the function denoted by (f - g)(x) = f(x) - g(x)
Their product ,denoted by (f • g)(x), is the function denoted by, (f • g)(x) = f(x) • g(x)
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
Their quotient ,denoted by 𝑔 (𝑥), is the function denoted by , 𝑔 (𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥)

DEFINITION
COMPOSITE FUNCTION
Let f and g be functions. The composite function denoted by (f ◦ g) is defined
by (f ◦ g) (x) = f[g(x)}. The process of obtaining a composite function is called
function composition.

EXAMPLE 1
Suppose that N(x) = x denotes the
number of shirts sold by a shop, and the
selling price for shirt is given by
P(x)=250 - 5x, for 0 ≤ x ≤ 20. Find (N• P)(x)
and describe what it represents.
EXAMPLE 2
A spherical balloon is being inflated. Let
r(t)= 3t cm represent its radius at time t
4
seconds, and let g(r) = 3 𝜋𝑟 3 be the
volume of the same balloon if its radius r.
Write (g ◦ r) in terms of t and describe
what it represents.

SOLUTION
(N• P)(x)= N (x)• P(x) = x(205-5x) =250x-5x2
(0 ≤x≤20). Since this function is product of
the quantity sold and the selling price,
then (N• P)(x) represents the revenue
earned by the company.
SOLUTION
4
(g ◦ r)= g[r(t)] = 3 𝜋(3𝑡)3 = 36𝜋𝑟𝑡 3
This function represents the volume of the
balloon at time t seconds.
 Let’s see how good you are!
Here is my first challenge, If you can’t beat me,
you will be infected!

What is the number of males in Barangay 127 t years since 2000 when f(t) represents the
number of females in Barangay 127 t years since 2000 and g(t) represents the number
of people in Barangay 127 t years since 2000?

You’re just being very lucky!

Let's see how far you can go!
Answer this!

What is the amount of oxygen produced by the trees in the Mt. Makiling t years since
2000 when f(t) represents the number of trees in Mt. Makiling t years since 2000 and
g(n) represents the amount of oxygen produced by n trees

You’re just extremely lucky!

Let’s see if that luck can defeat me!
Here is my last problem for you! This time, I
challenge you! If you can beat me.. I'll be gone
forever.

Suppose that N(x) = x denotes the number of bags sold by a shop, and the selling
price per bag is given by P(x)=320 - 8x, for 0 ≤ x ≤ 10. Find (N•P)(x) and describe what it
represents.
Let f and g be functions
Their sum ,denoted by (f + g)(x), is the function denoted by (f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)
Their difference ,denoted by (f - g)(x), is the function denoted by (f - g)(x) = f(x) - g(x)
Their product ,denoted by (f • g)(x), is the function denoted by, (f • g)(x) = f(x) • g(x)
𝑓 𝑓 𝑓(𝑥)
Their quotient ,denoted by (𝑥), is the function denoted by , (𝑥) =
𝑔 𝑔 𝑔(𝑥)

The composite function denoted by (f ◦ g) is defined by (f ◦ g) (x) = f[g(x)}. The process

of obtaining a composite function is called function composition.

REFERENCES
General Mathematics Learner’s Material pages 13-20
General Mathematics by Orlando A. Oronce pages 29-37
https://www.dreamstime.com/evil-virus-cartoon-green-laughing-image176837684
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/175358979228906736/
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/460070918165634276/

Hey! See, Irrational -XYZ virus.. I told you, I am a frontliner. For the
love of Mathematics, yes I can! You too can defeat the virus if that
virus tells you can’t make it! Just make sure to harness yourself with
the necessary tools. Believe that you can.

ACTIVITY CARD
g(t) - f(t)
The number of people in Barangay 127 minus the number of females in Barangay 127
is equal to the number of males in Barangay 127.

ASSESSMENT CARD
g(f(t))
The function f represents the numbers of trees in Mt. Makiling. The function g(f(t)) then
convert the number f trees into the amount of oxygen produced by the these trees

ENRICHMENT CARD
(N•P)(x)=N(x) • P(x)= x(320 - 8x) = 320x - 8x2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 10)
Since this function is the product of the quantity sold and the selling price, then N•P)(x)
represents the revenue earned by the company