MASBATE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL

GENERAL MATHEMATICS
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Operation on Functions
Name: ____________________________________ Grade Level: ____________
Section: ___________________________________ Date: ____________

I. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT
Functions, like integers, can be added, subtracted, multiplied or divided. If you
know the four basic operations on polynomials, then these would be very easy for
you. In this module, you will learn how to perform addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division of functions and function composition.

II. LEARNING SKILLS/ CONTENT

At the end of the self-directed module’s learning activities, you will be able
perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division of functions and function
composition. (M11GM-Ia-3)

Vocabulary list
In exploring and answering this module, you will encounter the following
terms and concepts to help you use them appropriately in context:

Composition of the Function 𝑓 with 𝑔 is denoted by 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 and is defined by

the equation (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)), for all x in the domain of 𝑔 for which 𝑔(𝑥) is in
the domain of 𝑓.

Domain The domain of a relation is the set of all possible values that the variable
x can take.
Function is a relation where each element in the domain is related to only one
value in the range by some rule.
Operations on Functions refers to the rule of Addition, Subtraction,
Multiplication, Division and Composition of Functions.

PRE-TEST
Directions: This test will evaluate your knowledge and skills prior to starting this
module. Read each question and write the letter that corresponds to your answer.

1. Which of the following represents (𝑔 + 𝑓)(𝑥), if 𝑓(𝑥) = x 2 + 2 and

𝑔(𝑥) = − x 2 − 8𝑥 ?

a) −2 x 2 + 6𝑥 b) −2 x 2 − 8𝑥 + 2
c) −8𝑥 − 2 d) −8𝑥 + 2

2. If (𝑥) = −10 + 𝑥 and (𝑥) = 8 x 2 + 6𝑥 − 12 , What is (𝑓)(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)?

a.) −8 x 2 − 5𝑥 + 22 b.) −8 x 2 − 5𝑥 + 2
c.) 8 x 2 + 7𝑥 − 22 d.) 8 x 2 + 7𝑥 − 2

3. The function (𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 is the product of which two functions below?

I. r(x) = 2x + 1
II. s(x) = x 2 – 2x + 2
III. t(x) = x + 1 2x+1

a. I and II b. II and III c. I and III d. I, II and III

4. If (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 6 and ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 3, then what is (𝑓 ℎ)(𝑥)?

a. 2 b. 12 c. 2𝑥 − 2 d. 2𝑥 + 2

5. If (𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 and (𝑥) = x 2 − 𝑥, which of the following represents

(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥)?

a.) x 2– 2 b.) x 2+ 𝑥 + 2
c.) x 2 + 2 d.) x 2 − 𝑥 + 2

Learning Activities

You encounter the basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and

division in dealing with problems related to real life situations. We also apply it in
manipulating algebraic expressions. If you know how to perform the four basic
operations on polynomials, then you can also add, subtract, multiply, and divide
functions as well as the composition of functions. The notation will look different
at first—but applying how to perform the different operations on functions can
help you arrive at the correct answer.
Operations on functions are summarized as follows:

Sum, Difference, Product, and Quotient of Functions

Let 𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔 be functions:

SUM: 𝑓 + 𝑔; (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥)
DIFFERENCE: 𝑓 − 𝑔; (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)
PRODUCT: 𝑓 ∙ 𝑔; (𝑓 ∙ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥)
f f (x )
QUOTIENT: 𝑓 /𝑔; ( )¿𝑥) =
g g ( x)
, where 𝑔(𝑥) ≠ 0
Learn from the succeeding examples to perform the different operations on
functions.

Example 1:
Let (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3 and (𝑥) = x 2 − 5, find;

a. (𝑓+ 𝑔)(𝑥) b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥)

f
c. (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) d. ( g )¿𝑥)

Solution 1a

Given (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3 and (𝑥) = x 2 − 5

The sum of these functions can be written f(x) + g(x) or as
(f + g)(x), therefore;
(𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑥) + (𝑥) Definition of Sum of Functions.
= (2𝑥 − 3) + ( x − 5) Substitute the given values of (𝑥) and (𝑥).
2

= x 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 That’s it—the sum of the two functions is the sum of

the two polynomials, thus (𝒇 + 𝒈)(𝒙) = x 2 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟖. The domain (x-values) of the
function are all real numbers.
Note: Subtracting functions follows the same process. As long as you remember
how to subtract one polynomial from the other, you can figure out how to subtract
one function from another.

Solution 1b

Given (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3 and (𝑥) = x 2 − 5

The difference of these functions can be written f(x) - g(x) or as
(f - g)(x), therefore;
(𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑥) − (𝑥) Definition of Difference of Functions.
= (2𝑥 − 3) − ( x − 5)
2
Substitute the given values of f(x) and g(x).
= 2𝑥 − 3 − x + 5
2
Distributive Property
= − x + 2𝑥 + 2
2
Subtract and Combine like terms.

That’s it—the difference of the two functions is the difference of the two
polynomials, thus (𝒇 − 𝒈)(𝒙) = − x 2 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟐. The domain (x-values) of the
function are all real numbers.

Multiplying and Dividing functions is also just like

Multiplying and Dividing polynomials. Let us take a
look on the solutions for 1c and 1d.
 Solution 1c

Given (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3 and (𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 5 To find the product, multiply the two given
functions.

(𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑥) ∙ (𝑥) Definition of Product of Functions.

= (2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥2 − 5) Substitute the given values of 𝑓(𝑥) and (𝑥) .
= 2𝑥3 − 10𝑥 − 3𝑥2 + 15 Multiply (2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥2 − 5).
= 𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟓 Combine like terms.

That’s it—the product of the two functions is the product of the two
polynomials, thus (𝒇𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝟏𝟓. The domain (x-values) of
the function are all real numbers.

Solution 1d

Given (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3 and (𝑥) = x 2 – 5

(f ) f (x)
To find the quotient, divide (𝑥) by (𝑥) that can be written as g ( x ) or g (x) .
Definition of Quotient of Function.
Substitute the given polynomials as value
( fg ) ( x ) = gf ((xx)) . of (𝑥) and (𝑥) in
f (x)
g ( x)
.
(2 x−3)
= ( x2−5) Divide polynomials. Write "𝐱 ≠ ±√𝟓”, because 𝐱 =

(f )
±√𝟓 would make the denominator 0, and g (𝑥)
undefined
(2 x−3)
= ( x2−5) , 𝐱 ≠ ±√𝟓

Therefore, the quotient of the two functions is the quotient of the two
polynomials, thus g (𝑥) = 2 ()
f
( x −5)
(2 x−3)
(f )
, 𝐱 ≠ ±√𝟓. The domain of g (𝑥) is the set of all
real numbers except ±√𝟓.

Example 2
If (𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 2 and (𝑥) = x 2 + 3𝑥 − 4, find;

a. (𝑓+𝑔)(𝑥) b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥)
c. (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) (f )
d. g (𝑥)
Solution 2

a. (𝑓+ 𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑥) + (𝑥) Definition of Sum of Functions.

= (3𝑥 + 2) + ( x + 3𝑥 − 4)
2
Substitute the given values of (𝑥) and
(𝑥).
= x + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟐
2
Add and Combine like terms.

b. (𝑓 − 𝑔)(𝑥) = (𝑥) − (𝑥) Definition of Difference of Functions.

= (3𝑥 + 2) – ( x 2+ 3𝑥 – 4) Substitute the given values of (𝑥) and (𝑥).
= 3𝑥 + 2 − x 2 − 3𝑥 + 4 Distributive Property.
= −x2 + 𝟔 Subtract and Combine like terms.

c. (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) Definition of Product of Functions.

= (3𝑥 + 2)( x 2 + 3𝑥 − 4) Substitute the given values of f(x) and 𝑔(𝑥).
= 3 x 3 + 9𝑥2 − 12𝑥 + 2 x 2 + 6𝑥 – 8 Multiply Polynomials.
= 𝟑 x 3 + 𝟏𝟏 x 2 − 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟖 Combine like terms.

d.( fg )(𝑥) = gf ((xx)) Definition of Quotient of Functions.

(3 x +2)
= ( x +3 x −4)
2 Substitute the given polynomials as values
of (𝑥) and (𝑥) in (𝑥) (𝑥).
(3 x +2)
= ( x +4 )( x−1) , 𝐱 ≠ 𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 – 𝟒 Divide Polynomials. Write", ≠ 𝟏
𝐚𝐧𝐝 − 𝟒", it is because 𝐱 = 𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 − 𝟒
would make the denominator 0, and (𝑓)(𝑥)
undefined.
(f )
The domain of g (𝑥) is the set of all real numbers except 𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 − 𝟒.

Another operation on functions is called the composition of functions. In the

composition of functions, we substitute an entire function into another function

The Composition of Functions

Given the functions f and g, the composition of f and g, denoted by
𝒇 ∘ 𝒈 is defined by the equation (𝒇 ∘ 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝒇(𝒈(𝒙)), where
𝒇(𝒈(𝒙)) is read 𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒙. It means that wherever there is an 𝑥 in
the function 𝑓, it is replaced with the function 𝑔(𝑥). The domain of
(𝒇 ∘ 𝒈) is the set of all 𝑥 such that;
1. 𝑥 is in the domain of 𝑔 ; and
2. 𝑔(𝑥) is in the domain of 𝑓.
Example 3

Given (𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 5 and (𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3, find:

a. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) b. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥)

Solution 3a

Since (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) means 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)), we must replace each occurrence of 𝑥

in the function 𝑓 by 𝑔(𝑥). (𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 5

(𝒇 ∘ 𝒈)(𝑥) = ((𝑥))= 3(𝑔(𝑥)) − 5 Given the equation for 𝑓

=3(2𝑥 − 3) – 5 Replace 𝑥 by (𝑥)
= 6𝑥 − 9 – 5 Replace (𝑥) by (2𝑥 − 3)
= 6𝑥 − 14 Apply Distribution Law
Combine like terms
Thus, (𝒇 ∘ 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟏𝟒.

Solution 3b

Since (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥) means 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)), we must replace each occurrence of 𝑥

in the function 𝑔 by𝑓(𝑥) .

g(𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 3
(𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥) = ((𝑥)) = 2((𝑥)) – 3 Given the equation for 𝑔
Replace 𝑥 by (𝑥).
= 2(3𝑥 − 5) – 3 Replace (𝑥) by (3𝑥 − 5).
= 6𝑥 − 10 – 3 Apply Distribution Law.
= 6𝑥 – 13 Combine like terms.

Thus, (𝒇 ∘ 𝒈)(𝒙) = 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟏𝟑.

ANSWER KEY:
PRE-TEST
1. D 4. A
2. B 5. D
3. C