LESSON 3: OPERATION ON

FUNCTIONS
LEARNING OUTCOME:
At the end of the lesson, the learner is able to
perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division,
composition of functions, and solve problems
involving functions
LESSON OUTLINE:
1.REVIEW: Operations on algebraic
expressions
2.Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication
and Division of Functions
3.Function Composition
Review: Operations on
Algebraic Expression
ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
a. Find the least common denominator (LCD) of
both fractions.
b. Rewrite the fractions as equivalent fractions
with the same LCD.
c. The LCD is the denominator of the resulting
fraction.
d. The sum or difference of the numerators is the
numerator of the resulting fraction.
Example:
• Find the sum of

1 2
and
3 5
Example:
2. Find the sum of

1 2
and
x-3 x-5
Example:
• Find the difference of

1 2
and
3 5
Example:
2. Find the difference of

1 2
and
x-3 x-5
MULTIPICATION
a. Rewrite the numerator and denominator in
terms of its prime factors
b. Common factors in the numerator and
denominator can be simplified as “1” (this is
often called “cancelling”)
c. Multiply the numerators together to get the
new numerator
d. Multiply the denominators together to get the
new denominator
PRIME NUMBERS
Example 1:
• Find the product of

10 15
and
21 8
Use cancellation of factors when convenient
Solution:
1. Express the numerators and denominators of
the two fractions into their prime factors.

2. Multiply and cancel out common factors in

the numerator and denominator to reduce
the final answer to lowest terms.
Example 2:
• Find the product of

2
x -4x-5 2
x -5x+6
and
2
x -3x+2 2
x -3x-10
Solution:
1. Express the numerators and denominators of the
two rational factors.

2. Multiply and cancel out common factors in the

numerator and denominator to reduce the final
answer to lowest terms.

3. Note the similarity in the process between this

example and the previous one on fractions.
DIVISION
To divide two fractions or rational expressions,
multiply the dividend with the reciprocal of the
divisor.
 Example 1:
• Divide

2
2x +x-6 2
x -2x-8
by
2
2x +7x+5 2
2x -3x-20
Dividend Divisor
 LESSON PROPER:
Addition, Subtraction,
Multiplication and Division
of Functions
 Definition:
Let f and g be functions.
1. Their sum, denoted by f + g, is the function
denoted by (f+g)(x) = f(x) + g(x).
2. Their difference, denoted by f – g, is the function
denoted by (f-g)(x) = f(x) - g(x).
3. Their product, denoted by f . g, is the function
denoted by (f.g)(x) = f(x) . g(x).
4. Their quotient, denoted by f / g, is the function
denoted by (f/g)(x) = f(x) / g(x).
Use the following functions below for Example 1:
• f(x) = x + 3
x+7
• h(x) =
2-x
• p(x) = 2x – 7
x-2
• v(x) = x2 + 5x + 4 • t(x) =
x+3
• g(x) = x2 + 2x – 8
Example 1:

a. (v + g)(x)
b. (f . p)(x)
c. (f + h)(x)
d. (p – f)(x)
e. (v/g)(x)