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Composite Functions - Cheat Sheet

The document provides a comprehensive guide on composite functions, explaining their definition, evaluation, and special cases such as identity and inverse functions. It includes examples and practice problems to illustrate how to find composite functions and their domains. The document emphasizes the importance of the order of functions in composite evaluations.

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Michael Krier
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64 views4 pages

Composite Functions - Cheat Sheet

The document provides a comprehensive guide on composite functions, explaining their definition, evaluation, and special cases such as identity and inverse functions. It includes examples and practice problems to illustrate how to find composite functions and their domains. The document emphasizes the importance of the order of functions in composite evaluations.

Uploaded by

Michael Krier
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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3/26/25, 4:41 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

Composite Functions Cheat Sheet 📚


1️⃣ What Are Composite Functions?
A composite function is when one function is applied to the result of another function. It is written as:

(f ∘ g)(x) = f (g(x))

This means you first apply g(x), then use that output as the input for f (x).

2️⃣ How to Evaluate Composite Functions


1. Find g(x) first (the inner function).
2. Plug the result into f (x) (the outer function).
3. Simplify if needed.

✅ Example:
Let f (x) = 2x + 3 and g(x) = x2 − 1. Find (f ∘ g)(x).

(f ∘ g)(x) = f (g(x)) = f (x2 − 1)

Substituting g(x) into f (x):

f (x2 − 1) = 2(x2 − 1) + 3 = 2x2 − 2 + 3 = 2x2 + 1

So, (f ∘ g)(x) = 2x2 + 1. ✅

3️⃣ Finding (g ∘ f )(x)


The order matters! Now, apply f (x) first, then g(x):

(g ∘ f )(x) = g(f (x)) = g(2x + 3)

Since g(x) = x2 − 1, replace x with 2x + 3:

(2x + 3)2 − 1 = 4x2 + 12x + 9 − 1 = 4x2 + 12x + 8

So, (g ∘ f )(x) = 4x2 + 12x + 8. ✅

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3/26/25, 4:41 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

4️⃣ Special Cases


Identity function: If f (x) = x, then (f ∘ g)(x) = g(x).
Inverse functions: If f and g are inverses, then

(f ∘ g)(x) = (g ∘ f )(x) = x

5️⃣ Domain of Composite Functions


To find the domain of (f ∘ g)(x):
1. Find the domain of g(x).
2. Find the domain of f (x) using values from g(x).

✅ Example:
Let f (x) = x and g(x) = x − 2. Find the domain of (f ∘ g)(x).
​

g(x) = x − 2 is defined for all real numbers.


f (x) = x requires x ≥ 0.
​

Since x − 2 must be ≥ 0, we solve:

x−2≥0⇒x≥2

So, the domain of (f ∘ g)(x) is x ≥ 2. ✅

6️⃣ Practice Problems with Detailed Solutions


Problem 1
Given:

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

Find (f ∘ g)(x).

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3/26/25, 4:41 PM Expanding and simplifying expression

✅ Solution:
(f ∘ g)(x) = f (g(x)) = f (3x)

Since f (x) = x + 2, substitute x = 3x:

(3x) + 2 = 3x + 2

So, (f ∘ g)(x) = 3x + 2. ✅

Problem 2
Given:

f (x) = x2 + 1, g(x) = x − 3

Find (g ∘ f )(x).
✅ Solution:
(g ∘ f )(x) = g(f (x)) = g(x2 + 1)

Since g(x) = x − 3, substitute x2 + 1:

(x2 + 1) − 3 = x2 − 2

So, (g ∘ f )(x) = x2 − 2. ✅

Problem 3
Given:
x
f (x) = 2x − 5, g(x) = +5
2
​

Show that (f ∘ g)(x) = x, proving they are inverses.


✅ Solution:
x
(f ∘ g)(x) = f (g(x)) = f ( + 5)
2
x
Since f (x) = 2x − 5, substitute x = 2
​
+ 5:
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3/26/25, 4:41 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
x
2( + 5) − 5
2
​

Distribute:

x + 10 − 5 = x

Since (f ∘ g)(x) = x, f (x) and g(x) are inverse functions! ✅

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