Operations with Functions

We can add, subtract, multiply and divide

functions!

The result is a new function.

Let us try doing those operations on f(x) and g(x):

Addition

We can add two functions:

(f+g)(x) = f(x) + g(x)

Note: we put the  f+g  inside  ()  to show they both work on  x.

Example: f(x) = 2x+3 and g(x) = x2

(f+g)(x) = (2x+3) + (x2) = x2+2x+3

Sometimes we may need to combine like terms:

Example: v(x) = 5x+1, w(x) = 3x-2

(v+w)(x) = (5x+1) + (3x-2) = 8x-1

The only other thing to worry about is the Domain (the set of numbers that go
into the function), but I will talk about that later!

Subtraction

We can also subtract two functions:

(f-g)(x) = f(x) − g(x)

Example: f(x) = 2x+3 and g(x) = x2

(f-g)(x) = (2x+3) − (x2)

 
 Multiplication

We can multiply two functions:

(f·g)(x) = f(x) · g(x)

Example: f(x) = 2x+3 and g(x) = x2

(f·g)(x) = (2x+3)(x2) = 2x3 + 3x2

Division

And we can divide two functions:

(f/g)(x) = f(x) / g(x)

Example: f(x) = 2x+3 and g(x) = x2

(f/g)(x) = (2x+3)/x2

Function Composition
There is another special operation called Function Composition,
read that page to find out more!
  (g º f)(x)

Domains
It has been very easy so far, but now we must consider the Domains of the
functions.

The domain is the set of all the values that go into a function.

The function must work for all values we give it, so it is up to us to make sure
we get the domain correct!

Example: the domain for √x (the square root of x)

We can't have the square root of a negative number (unless we use imaginary
numbers, but we aren't doing that here), so we must exclude negative
numbers:

The Domain of √x is all non-negative Real Numbers

On the Number Line it looks like:

Using set-builder notation it is written:

{x  | x ≥ 0}

"the set of all x's that are a member of the Real Numbers,
such that x is greater than or equal to zero"

Or using interval notation it is:

[0,+∞)

It is important to get the Domain right, or we will get bad results!

So how do we work out the new domain after doing an operation?

How to Work Out the New Domain

When we do operations on functions, we end up with the restrictions of both.

It is like cooking for friends:

 one can't eat peanuts,

 the other can't eat dairy food.

So what we cook can't have peanuts and also can't have dairy products.

Example: f(x)=√x and g(x)=√(3−x)

The domain for f(x)=√x is from 0 onwards:

The domain for g(x)=√(3−x) is up to and including 3:

So the new domain (after adding or whatever) is from 0 to 3:

If we choose any other value, then one or the other part of the new function
won't work.

In other words we want to find where the two domains intersect.

Note: we can put this whole idea into one line using Set Builder Notation:

Dom(f+g) = { x  | x Dom(f) and x Dom(g) }

Which says "the domain of f plus g is the set of all Real Numbers that are in the
domain of f AND in the domain of g"
The same rule applies when we add, subtract, multiply or divide, except divide
has one extra rule.

An Extra Rule for Division

There is an extra rule for division:

As well as restricting the domain as above, when we divide:

(f/g)(x) = f(x) / g(x)

we must also make sure that g(x) is not equal to zero (so we don't divide by
zero).

Here is an example:

Example: f(x)=√x and g(x)=√(3−x)

(f/g)(x) = √x / √(3−x)
1. The domain for f(x)=√x is from 0 onwards:
2. The domain for g(x)=√(3−x) is up to and including 3:

3. AND √(3−x) cannot be zero, so x cannot be 3:

(Notice the open circle at 3, which means not including 3)

So all together we end up with:

Summary
 To add, subtract, multiply or divide functions just do as the operation
says.
 The domain of the new function will have the restrictions of both functions
that made it.
 Divide has the extra rule that the function we are dividing by cannot be
zero.

Arithmetic Operations with Functions

 
Learning Objective(s)
·         Given two functions, f and g, find their sum, f + g.
·         Given two functions, f and g, find their difference, f – g.
·         Given two functions, f and g, find their product, f • g.
·         Given two functions, f and g, find their quotient, f/g.
 
Introduction
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
Proble  
m

 
Find (f + g)(x).
   Identify f(x)
and g(x).
Replace f(x)
with  ,
and g(x)
with 

.
Then add and
combine like
terms.
Answ  
er
 
 
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
Proble  
m

 
Find (g – f)(x).
  Replace g(x
) and f(x)
with their
respective
expressions
.
 
Then
subtract
and
combine
like terms.
Answer  

 
 
Example
Proble  
m

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
appropriat
e
polynomial
s and
subtract.
Answer  

 
 

 and  . What is 

 

A) 

B) 

C) 

D) 
 
Show/Hide Answer

A) 

Incorrect.  ; this question is looking for   

The correct answer is  .

 

B) 

Incorrect. It looks like you tried to calculate  , but you subtracted incorrectly.
Remember: 

. The

correct answer is  .

 

C) 
Correct. To find (f – g)(x), subtract g(x)

from f(x). 
 

D) 
 Incorrect. It looks like you tried to calculate  . This question is looking

for   The correct answer is  .

 
 
 
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
Proble  
m

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

=0 and   
undefined.
Remember to
 
 rename   as 1.
Answ  
er

 
 
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
3x2 from the
numerator, and
then simplify the
expression,
 using  .
Answer  

 
 

Find  .
 

A) 

B) 

C) 

D) 
 
Show/Hide Answer

A) 

Correct.  .
 

B) 

Incorrect. It looks like you found  ; this problem is looking for  .

The correct answer is  .

 

C) 

Incorrect. It looks like you found  ; this problem is looking for  .

The correct answer is  .

 

D) 

Incorrect. It looks like you found  ; this problem is looking

for  . The correct answer is  .

 
 
 
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.
 
In this section, we'll briefly cover a few of the most relevant and important classifications
of functions.

Even and Odd Functions

Every function can either be classified as an even function, an odd function, or neither.
Even functions have the characteristic that f (x) = f (- x). They are symmetrical with
respect to the y-axis. A line segment joining the points f (x) and f (- x) will be perfectly
horizontal. Odd functions have the characteristic that f (x) = - f (- x). They are
symmetrical with respect to the origin. A line segment joining the
points f (x) and - f (- x) always contains the origin. Many functions are neither even nor
odd.

 
X

Video SparkNotes: Aldous Huxley's Brave New World summary

Video SparkNotes: Aldous Huxley's Brave New World summary

Some of the most common even functions are y = k, where k is a constant, y = x2,
and y = cos(x). Some of the most common odd functions are y = x3 and y = sin(x). Some

functions that are neither even nor odd include y = x - 2, y =  , and y = sin(x) + 1.

Figure %:
The function on the left is even; the function on the right is odd. Note the different types of
symmetry.

Other Types of Functions

Among the types of functions that we'll study extensively are polynomial, logarithmic,
exponential, and trigonometric functions. Before we study those, we'll take a look at
some more general types of functions.

The inverse of a function is the relation in which the roles of the independent
anddependent variable are reversed. Let f (x) = 2x. The inverse of f, f-1 (not to be
confused with a negative exponent), equals  . It is written like this: f-1(x) =  . The
inverse of a function can be found by switching the places of x and y in the formula of
the function. The inverse of any function is a relation. Whether the inverse is a function
depends on the original function f. If f is a one-to-one function, then its inverse is also a
function. A one-to-one function is a function for which each element of the range
corresponds to exactly one element of the domain. Therefore if a function is not a one-
to- one function, its inverse is not a function. The horizontal line test shows us that if a
horizontal line can be placed in a graph such that it intersects the graph of a function
more than once, that function is not one-to-one, and its inverse is therefore not a
function.
Inverse functions are important in solving equations. Sometimes the solution y to a
function is known, but the input for that solution x is not known. In situations like these,
the inverse of the function can be used to find x. We'll see more inverse functions later.

A piecewise function is a function which is defined by different rules depending on the

value of the independent variable. The following piecewise function is graphed
below: y =   for x≤ 0, y = x for 0 < x < 2, and y = 2 for x≥2.

Figure %: A
piecewise function is governed by different rules depending on the value of the independent
variable.
A periodic function is a function with the following characteristic: f (x) = f (x + c), for all
values of x, where c is some constant. This means that the values of f repeat
themselves in a regular cycle. The most common periodic functions are the
trigonometric functions, but others exist as well.