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Composition of Functions

The document explains the concept of composition of functions, where the output of one function serves as the input for another, defined mathematically as (f ∘ g)(x) = f(g(x)). It provides examples illustrating how to find composite functions and their domains, as well as the process of decomposing functions. Additionally, it includes specific evaluations of composite functions using given functions.

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Shela Ramos
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8 views3 pages

Composition of Functions

The document explains the concept of composition of functions, where the output of one function serves as the input for another, defined mathematically as (f ∘ g)(x) = f(g(x)). It provides examples illustrating how to find composite functions and their domains, as well as the process of decomposing functions. Additionally, it includes specific evaluations of composite functions using given functions.

Uploaded by

Shela Ramos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Composition of Functions

We can derive complex functions from simple functions such as money, location,
and time using the process of composition. In this process, the output of one
function becomes the input of another.

COMPOSITION OF FUNCTIONS

and 𝑔 , the composite functions 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 (also called the


𝑓
Given two functions.
composition of 𝑓 and 𝑔 ) is defined by
( 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 ) ( 𝑥) = 𝑓( 𝑔 ( 𝑥) )

The domain of 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 is the set of all 𝑥 in the domain of 𝑔 such that 𝑔(𝑥) is in
the domain of 𝑓. In other words, (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) is defined whenever both 𝑔(𝑥) and
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) are defined.

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


a. Find the functions 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 and 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓 and

Find (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(5) and (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(7).


their domains.
b.

a. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓(𝑥 − 3) = (𝑥 − 3)2


Solution:

(𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑔(𝑥2) = 𝑥2 −


The domains of 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 and 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓
are ℝ.
3

b. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(5) = 𝑓(𝑔(5)) = 𝑓(2) = 22 = 4


(𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(7) = 𝑔(𝑓(7)) = 𝑔(49) = 49 − 3 = 46

and their domains. a. 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 b. 𝑔 ∘ 𝑓 c. 𝑓 ∘ 𝑓 d. 𝑔 ∘ 𝑔


Example 3: If , find the following functions

Solution:

The domain of 𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 is {𝑥|2 − 𝑥 ≥ 0} = {𝑥|𝑥 ≤ 2} = (−∞, 2].


a.

b.

. Thus, we have 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4, so the domain of


For to be defined, we must have to be defined, we must

𝑔 ∘ 𝑓 is the closed interval [0,4].


have , that is,

The domain of 𝑓 ∘ 𝑓 is [0, ∞).


c.
d.
This expression is defined when both . The first inequality

𝑥 ≤ 2, and the second is equivalent to


means

≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥, so the domain of 𝑔 ∘ 𝑔 is [−2,2].


. Thus, −2

Example 4: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 2𝑥. Evaluate each of the following

a. 𝑔(𝑓(3)) b. 𝑓(𝑔(−4)) c. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(2) d. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(2)


expressions.

a. Because 𝑓(3) = 3(3) − 2 = 7, we have 𝑔(𝑓(3)) = 𝑔(7) = 72 + 2 ∙ 7 = 63.


Solution:

So 𝑔(𝑓(3)) = 63.
b. Because 𝑔(−4) = (−4)2 + 2(−4) = 8, we have 𝑓(𝑔(−4)) = 𝑓(8) = 3(8) −
So, 𝑓(𝑔(−4)) = 22.
c. Because (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(2) = 𝑔(𝑓(2)), we first find 𝑓(2): 𝑓(2) = 3(2) − 2 = 4
2 = 22.

Because 𝑓(2) = 4, we have (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(2) = 𝑔(𝑓(2)) = 𝑔(4) = 42 + 2(4) = 24.


So, (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(2) = 24.
Because (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(2) = 𝑓(𝑔(2)), we first find 𝑔(2): 𝑔(2) = 22 + 2(2) = 8
Because 𝑔(2) = 8, we have (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(2) = 𝑓(𝑔(2)) = 𝑓(8) = 3(8) − 2 =
d.

So, (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(2) = 22.


22.

¤ Decomposition of a Function
 Decomposing a function is the reverse process of composition of

Example 5: Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 6 and 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 3𝑥 − 6,


functions.

find 𝑔(𝑥). Solution:


𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 + 6
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 3(𝑔(𝑥)) + 6
3𝑥 − 6 = 3(𝑔(𝑥)) + 6
3𝑥 − 6 − 6 = 3(𝑔(𝑥))
3𝑥 − 12 = 3(𝑔(𝑥))

𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 4
Example 6: Given 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 3𝑥2 + 12𝑥 + 16 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2, find 𝑓(𝑥).
Solution: Notice that the function asked for is the outer function. To solve for 𝑓(𝑥),
first derive 𝑥 in 𝑔(𝑥).
Then, 𝑥 = 𝑔(𝑥) − 2.
Substitute the expression 𝑔(𝑥) − 2 for every 𝑥 in 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)).
𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 3𝑥2 + 12𝑥 + 16

𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥 − 2)2 + 12(𝑥 − 2) + 16


= 3[𝑔(𝑥) − 2]2 + 12[𝑔(𝑥) − 2] + 16

𝑓(𝑥) = 3(𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 4) + 12𝑥 − 24 + 16


𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 − 12𝑥 + 12 + 12𝑥8
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 + 4

Evaluate each composite function, where 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3; 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 5𝑥; 𝑎𝑛𝑑


ℎ(𝑥) = 4 − 3𝑥2.

1. (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(4)
2. (h ∘ g)
2

3. (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(−3)
5

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