Calculus MTH 3100

Chapter 1 : Intro. to Calculus

L2 1.3 COMBINATIONS OF FUNCTIONS

AND

Algebraic Combinations

Like numbers, functions can be added,

subtracted, multiplied and divided (except
where the denominator is zero) to produce new
functions.

Definition : If f and g are functions, then for

every x that belongs to the domains of both f
and g (that is, for ) ,we define functions f + g, f
– g, and fg by the formulas
(f + g)(x) = f(x) + g(x),
(f - g)(x) = f(x) - g(x),
(f g)(x) = f(x) g(x).

At any point of at which ,

we can also define the function by the
formula
where ,

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Functions can also be multiplied by constants:

If c is a real number, then the function cf is
defined for all x in the domain of f by
(cf)(x)=cf(x)

Example : Combining Functions

Algebraically

The functions defined by the formulas

and ,

have domains and . The

points common to these points are the points
.

The following table summarizes the formulas

and domains for the various algebraic
combinations of the two functions. We also
write for the product function fg .

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Function Formula Domain

[0,1]
[0,1]
[0,1]
[0,1) (x=1
excluded)
(0,1] (x=0
excluded)

Composite Functions

Definition : Composition of Functions

If f and g are functions, the composition
of f and g is the function defined by

Example :

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If f(x) = 2x and g(x) = x - 1. Find formulas for

Solution :

Example :

Find functions f and g such that

Solution :

THE INVERSE FUNCTION AND

EVEN/ODD FUNCTIONS

One-to-one Functions

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Definition : A function f is one-to-one (1-1) in

case no two elements of the domain have the
same image under f.

Thus, if f is (1-1) function, then

For each y in the range of f, there is exactly one

x in the domain of f such that f(x) = y.

y y

x x
A (1-1) function A function that is not
(1-1)
Example : Determine whether each function
is one-to-one.

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Solution :

(a) Since distinct numbers have distinct fifth

powers, this function is one-to-one.
(b) This function is not one-to-one, since, for
example, f(-x) = f(x) , and two different
numbers have the same image.

Example : Is one to one?

Solution :
g(x) is one to one if

Thus g is one to one.

Note: The function y = f(x) is a function if it
passes the vertical line test. It is a one-to-
one function if it passes both the vertical
line test and the horizontal line test.

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The Inverse of a Function

Definition : If f is a function, the inverse of f

can be written as is the function such that for
each x in the domain of f ,

Theorem : A function f has an inverse

function if and only if f is one-to-
one.

Example :Find the inverse of each function, if

it exists.

Solution :

(a) f is a (1-1) function , then the inverse of f

exists such that,

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Chapter 1 : Intro. to Calculus

(b) f is a (1-1) function, then the inverse of f

exists such that,

(c) This function is not one-to-one, so it will

have no inverse function.

(d) Thus, is one-to-one, so it will

have inverse function,

Finding the Range of a Function

The notion of inverse of a function also gives us

a technique for finding the range of a function,
based on the fact that the range of a function f is
the domain of its inverse .

Example :

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Chapter 1 : Intro. to Calculus

Find the domains and ranges of the following

functions:

Solution :

(a) The domain of this rational function is

easily seen to be the set of all real numbers
except 3. To find the range, we find the
inverse of f. In order to simplify the process,
we will write , interchange x and y
(thus, expressing y as ), and solve for y:

From the inverse definition,

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(b) Since must be positive for this

function to be defined, we see that the domain
of f is . The range clearly consists of
positive numbers. To be more specific, we
find :

(c) Since must be positive, we find that

the domain of f is (-2, 2). We again note that
the range consists only of positive numbers.
Next, we find :

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The Even and Odd Functions

Definition :

(1) A function f is an even function if and only

if f(-x) = f(x) for all x.
(2) A function f is an odd function if and only
if f(-x) = - f(x) ) for all x.

Example :

The even and odd function properties.

(1) Even Even = Even, Odd Odd = Odd.

(2) Even (odd) Odd (even) = Not Even nor

Odd.

(3) Even Even = Even, Odd Odd = Even.

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(4) The product of an even and odd functions is

odd.

Example :

Determine whether each function is even or

odd.
.

Solution:

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