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Composition of Functions: GB G X

1) Function composition involves applying two functions in sequence, where the output of the first function is used as the input to the second function. 2) If f and g are functions, their composition f∘g is defined by the rule (f∘g)(x) = f(g(x)). 3) The domain of the composition f∘g consists of values x where x is in the domain of g and g(x) is in the domain of f.

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23 views1 page

Composition of Functions: GB G X

1) Function composition involves applying two functions in sequence, where the output of the first function is used as the input to the second function. 2) If f and g are functions, their composition f∘g is defined by the rule (f∘g)(x) = f(g(x)). 3) The domain of the composition f∘g consists of values x where x is in the domain of g and g(x) is in the domain of f.

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a.mimir.2609
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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6965_CH01_pp063-156.

qxd 1/14/10 1:00 PM Page 111

SECTION 1.4 Building Functions from Functions 111

SOLUTION We first determine that ƒ has domain all real numbers and that g has
domain 3-1, q 2. These domains overlap, the intersection being the interval
3-1, q 2. So:
1ƒ + g21x2 = ƒ1x2 + g1x2 = x 2 + 2x + 1 with domain
3-1, q 2.
2
1ƒ - g21x2 = ƒ1x2 -g1x2 = x - 2x + 1 with domain
3-1, q 2.
2
1ƒg21x2 = ƒ1x2g1x2 = x 2x + 1 with domain
3-1, q 2.
ƒ ƒ1x2 2
x
a b 1x2 = = with domain
g g1x2 2x + 1 1 -1, q 2.
1gg21x2 = g1x2g1x2 = 1 2x + 122 with domain
3-1, q 2.
Note that we could express 1gg21x2 more simply as x + 1. That would be fine, but
the simplification would not change the fact that the domain of gg is (by definition)
the interval 3-1, q 2. Under other circumstances the function h1x2 = x + 1 would
have domain all real numbers, but under these circumstances it cannot; it is a product
of two functions with restricted domains. Now try Exercise 3.

Composition of Functions
It is not hard to see that the function sin 1x 22 is built from the basic functions sin x
and x 2, but the functions are not put together by addition, subtraction, multiplication,
or division. Instead, the two functions are combined by simply applying them in
order—first the squaring function, then the sine function. This operation for
combining functions, which has no counterpart in the algebra of real numbers, is
called function composition.

DEFINITION Composition of Functions


Let ƒ and g be two functions such that the domain of ƒ intersects the range of g.
The composition ƒ of g, denoted ƒ ! g, is defined by the rule
1ƒ ! g21x) = ƒ1g1x22.
The domain of ƒ ! g consists of all x-values in the domain of g that map to
g1x2-values in the domain of ƒ. (See Figure 1.55.)

The composition g of ƒ, denoted g ! ƒ, is defined similarly. In most cases g ! ƒ and


ƒ ! g are different functions. (In the language of algebra, “function composition is not
commutative.”)
f!g

g(x)
f(g(x))

x f
g

x must be in the g(x) must be in the


and
domain of g domain of f

FIGURE 1.55 In the composition ƒ ! g, the function g is applied first and then ƒ. This is the
reverse of the order in which we read the symbols.

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