Arithmetic Operations with Functions

You are used to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing real numbers—you do these operations
every day in a variety of situations. You have also learned how to perform these four basic operations on
algebraic expressions. So while you may not need to calculate too often, you do know how to do it.

If you know how to perform the four basic operations on polynomials, then you can also add, subtract,
multiply, and divide functions. The notation will look different at first—but knowing a couple of steps can help you
arrive at the correct answer.

Understanding Notation

A function is a correspondence between two sets: the domain and the range. In addition to evaluating functions,
you can do operations with functions.

Let’s say you are working with the following two functions.

The sum of these functions can be written f(x) + g(x) or as (f + g) (x). Watch what happens when these two
functions are added.

That’s it—the sum of the two functions is the sum of the two polynomials.

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division will all be explained in turn. The table below shows the
notation that is used for each type of arithmetic operation.

Addition

Subtraction

Multiplication

Division
Adding and Subtracting

You have already seen one example of adding two functions. Let’s look at another one. The domain (x-values)
for both functions is all real numbers.

Example
Problem

Find (f + g)(x).
Identify f(x) and g(x).
Replace f(x) with ,
and g(x) with .
Then add and combine like
terms.
Answer

Subtracting follows the same process. As long as you remember how to subtract one polynomial from another,
you can figure out how to subtract one function from another.

Example
Problem

Find (g – f)(x).
Replace g(x) and f(x) with
their respective expressions.

Then subtract and combine

like terms.

Answer
 Example
Problem

Find (f – h)(x).
Notice that
(f – h)(x)
= f(x) – h(x).

You can ignore g(x) since it is

not required to solve this
problem.

Replace the function notations

with their appropriate
polynomials and subtract.

Answer

and . What is

A)
B)
C)
D)

Multiplying and Dividing

Multiplying and dividing functions is also just like multiplying and dividing polynomials. Review the following
examples.

Example
Problem

Find the product of f and g.

To find the product, multiply the
functions.
Replace f(x) with (2x + 1),
and g(x) with (5x – 3).

Answer
 Example
Problem

Find .
To find the quotient,
divide f by g.
Substitute the polynomials in
for f(x) and g(x) and divide. We
add because x = 0 would
make the denominator g(x) =0

and undefined.

Remember to rename as 1.

Answer

Operations with three functions work the same way. In the example below, two functions are added and then
divided by a third. It is no different than what you have already done with polynomials—just continue to
substitute the polynomials in for the correct functions, combine, divide, and simplify.

Example
Problem

Find .
Replace f(x), g(x),
and h(x) with the
equivalent
polynomials.
We
add because
that would make the
denominator h(x)
 of zero
and the fraction
undefined.
Add f(x) and g(x).

Divide by h(x). Pull

out a factor of
3x2from the
numerator, and then
simplify the
expression,

using .
Answer

Find .

A)
B)
C)
D)

Summary

Just like integers and algebraic expressions, functions can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided.
To perform an arithmetic operation upon two or more functions, replace the indicated function with its respective
polynomial, then combine using the regular rules of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.