Function Operations

Review: What is a function?

A relationship

where every domain

(x value has exactly one unique range (y
value).
Sometimes we talk about a FUNCTION
MACHINE, where a rule is applied to
each input of x

Function Operations
Addition : f g ( x) f x g x

Multiplication : f g x f x g x
Subtraction : f g x f x g x
f
f x
Division : x
where g x 0
g x
g

Adding and Subtracting Functions

Let f x 3x 8 and g x 2 x 12.
Find f g and f - g

f g ( x) f x g x

(3 x 8) (2 x 12)
5x 4

(3 x 8) (2 x 12)

g ( x) f x g x

x 20

When we look at functions we also want to look at

their domains (valid x values). In this case, the
domain is all real numbers.

Multiplying Functions
Let f x x - 1 and g x x 1.
Find f g
2

f x g ( x) ( x 2 1)( x 1)
x3 x 2 x 1

In this case, the domain is

all real numbers because
there are no values that will
make the function invalid.

Dividing Functions
Let f x x 2 - 1 and g x x 1.
f
Find
g

f x x2 1

g x
x 1
( x 1)( x 1)
x 1
( x 1)

In this case, the domain is

all real numbers EXCEPT
-1, because x=-1 would give
a zero in the denominator.

Lets Try Some

Let f x 5 x 2 - 1 and g x 5 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find f x g ( x)

Lets Try Some

Let f x 5 x 2 - 1 and g x 5 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find f x g ( x)

Lets Try Some

Let f x 6 x 2 7x - 5 and g x 2 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find

f x
g(x)

Lets Try Some

Let f x 6 x 2 7x - 5 and g x 2 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find

f x
g(x)

Composite Function When you

combine two or more functions
The

composition of
function g with
function is written as

g f x g f x
1

1. Evaluate the inner function f(x) first.

2. Then use your answer as the input of
the outer function g(x).

Example Composition of
Functions

Let f x x 2 and g x x 2 . Find g f 5

Method 1:

Method 2:

g f x g f x

g f x g f x

g x g ( x 2) ( x 2) 2

g f 5 g (5 2)

g f 5 5 2

g (7)

(7) 49
2

(7) 49
2

Lets try some

Let f x x 3 and g x x 2 7. Find g f 2

Solution
Let f x x 3 and g x x 2 7. Find g f 2

Real Life Application

You are shopping in a store that is

offering 20% off everything. You also
have a coupon for $5 off any item.

Write functions for the two situations.

Let x = original price.
1.

20% discount: f(x) = x 0.20x = 0.8x

Cost with the coupon: g(x) = x - 5

You are shopping in a store that is offering 20% off

everything. You also have a coupon for $5 off any
item.

2. Make a composition
of functions:

g f x ( g (0.8 x))
0.8 x 5
This represents if
they clerk does the
discount first, then
takes $5 off the
discounted price.