WEEK 3: MATH 11 BSCpE 1

TOPIC: FUNCTIONS

4. COMPOSITION OF FUNCTIONS

Given two functions f and g, the composite function denoted by f∘g (read as f composed with
g) is defined by
f∘g(x) = f(g(x))
The domain of f∘g is the set of all x in the domain of g such that g(x) is in the domain of f.
Other definition include the following:
(g∘f)(x) = g(f(x))
(f∘f)(x) = f(f(x))
(g∘g)(x) = g(g(x))

Illustrative Sample:
1. If the functions f and g are defined by the equations f(x) = √ x and g(x) = 3x + 2, find
a. (f∘g)(x), b. (g∘f)(x), c. (f∘f)(x), d. (g∘g)(x)
solution:
a. f(x) = √ x , g(x) = 3x + 2, find (f∘g)(x)
(f∘g)(x) = f(g(x))
= √x

= √ 3 x+2

b. f(x) = √ x , g(x) = 3x + 2, find (g∘f)(x)

(g∘f)(x) = g(f(x))
= 3x + 2
= 3√ x + 2

c. f(x) = √ x , find (f∘f)(x)

(f∘f)(x) = f(f(x))
= √x
1
= (x) 2
 1
= ( √ x) 2

1 1
= (x 2 ) 2

1
= x4

=√
4
x
d. g(x) = 3x + 2, find (g∘g)(x)
(g∘g)(x) = g(g(x))
= 3x + 2
= 3(3x + 2) + 2
= 9x + 6 + 2
= 9x + 8

2 1
2. given that f(x) = x 2 and g(x) = x + 3, find a. (f∘g)(-1), b. (g∘f)(0), c. (f∘f)( ), d. (g∘g)( - )
3 2
Solution:
a. f(x) = x2, g(x) = x + 3, find (f∘g)(-1)
(f∘g)(-1) = f(g(-1))
= x2
= (x + 3)2
= x2 + 6x + 9
= (-1)2 + 6(-1) + 9
=1–6+9
=4
b. f(x) = x2 g(x) = x + 3, find (g∘f)(0)
(g∘f)(0) = g(f(0))
=x+3
= x2 + 3
= 02 + 3
=3
2
c. f(x) = x2, find (f∘f)( )
3
 2 2
(f∘f)( ) = f(f( ))
3 3
= x2
= (x2)2
= x4
2 4
=(
3)
24
= 4
3
16
=
81
d. g(x) = x + 3
1
(g∘g)(- ¿ = x + 3
2
= (x + 3) + 3
=x+6
1
= -2 + 6

1 12
=- +
2 2
−1+ 12
=
2
11
=
2

5. SETTING UP FUNCTIONS
Steps for setting up functions:
Step 1. Read the problem carefully and draw the picture that conveys the given information.
Step 2. State in your own words what the problem is asking for. Assign a variable to denote
that quantity or formula required by the problem.
Step 3. Label other quantities in your figure that appear relevant. Look for equations relating
these quantities.
Step 4. Find the equations involving the key variable identified in step 2. Substitute in this
equation, using the auxiliary equations in step 3, to obtain an equation involving only the
required variables.

Illustrative Sample:
1. Express the length of the radius r of a circle as a function of its area x.
Representation: r = radius
A = area
Given: r = radius
A=x
Required: r(x) = ?
Solution:

A = π r2

x = π r2

x
r2 =
π

r=
√ x
π

r(x) =
√ x
π
2. The perimeter of a rectangle is 100 cm. Express the area A of the rectangle in terms of its
width x.
Representation: P = perimeter
L = length
W = width
A = area
Given: P = 100 cm
W=x
Required: A(x) = ?
Figure:
L

Solution:
P = 2L + 2W
P = 2L + 2x
100 = 2L + 2x
50 = L + x
L = 50 – x → equation 1
A = LW
A = Lx → equation 2
Substitute equation 1 in equation 2
A = (50 – x)x
A = 50x – x2
A(x) = 50x – x2
3. A piece of wire x cm long is bent into the shape of a circle. Express the area A of the circle in
terms of x, the circumference.
Representation: C = circumference
r = radius
A = area
Given: C=x
Required: A(x) = ?
Figure;

° x x
Solution:
C = 2π r
x = 2π r
x
r= → equation 1
2π
A = π r2 → equation 2

Substitute eq. 1 in eq. 2

X 2
A = π( )
2π
π X2
A=
4 π2
X2
A=
4π
X2
A(x) =
4π