Function Operations

Review: What is a function?

A relationship

where every domain

(x value has exactly one unique range (y
value).
Sometimes we talk about a FUNCTION
MACHINE, where a rule is applied to
each input of x

In order for a relationship to

be a function
EVERY INPUT MUST HAVE AN OUTPUT
TWO DIFFERENT INPUTS CAN
HAVE THE SAME OUTPUT
ONE INPUT CAN HAVE ONLY ONE OUTPUT
INPUT
(DOMAIN)
FUNCTION
MACHINE

OUTPUT
(RANGE)

Guided Notes Handout:

Relation: Any set of ______ that has an
________.
Function: A _____ such that every single
______ has exactly ______ output.
Never ________________________

Ex.
{(2,5) , (3,8) , (4,6) , (7, 20)}
{(1,4) , (1,5) , (2,3) , (9, 28)}
{(1,0) , (4,0) , (9,0) , (21, 0)}

Time of Day
1

Degrees C
4
6

15

12
10

14

11
13

Domain

Contains the Range

Inputs: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Outputs: 9,10,12,13,15

6
2

(1,9), (2,12), (3,13), (4,15), (5,12), (6,10)

Notation
f (x)

f of x

Input = x
Output = f(x) = y

Guided Notes Handout:

Function Notation:
Function Notation is a way to
___________________. It is pronounced
________________.
f(x) is a fancy way of writing ______ in an
________.
Ex. Y = 2x+4 is the same as
_______________________.

Copy in Notes:
Function Operations

Addition : f g ( x) f x g x

Multiplication : f g x f x g x
Subtraction : f g x f x g x
f
f x
Division : x
where g x 0
g x
g

Observe!
Adding and Subtracting Functions
Let f x 3x 8 and g x 2 x 12.
Find f g and f - g

f g ( x) f x g x

(3 x 8) (2 x 12)
5x 4

(3 x 8) (2 x 12)

g ( x) f x g x

x 20

When we look at functions we also want to look at

their domains (valid x values). In this case, the
domain is all real numbers.

Observe!
Multiplying Functions
Let f x x - 1 and g x x 1.
Find f g
2

f x g ( x) ( x 2 1)( x 1)
x3 x 2 x 1

In this case, the domain is

all real numbers because
there are no values that will
make the function invalid.

Observe: Dividing Functions

Let f x x 2 - 1 and g x x 1.
f
Find
g

f x x2 1

g x
x 1
( x 1)( x 1)
x 1
( x 1)

In this case, the domain is

all real numbers EXCEPT
-1, because x=-1 would give
a zero in the denominator.

Combining Functions
Ex. 1 Guided Notes Handout

Example 2:

You try! #s 3 and 4 on Handout

Think, Pair and Share!

Example 3

Example 4:

CW/HW- 6-13 All

Lets Try Some

Let f x 5 x 2 - 1 and g x 5 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find f x g ( x)

Lets Try Some

Let f x 5 x 2 - 1 and g x 5 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find f x g ( x)

Lets Try Some

Let f x 6 x 2 7x - 5 and g x 2 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find

f x
g(x)

Lets Try Some

Let f x 6 x 2 7x - 5 and g x 2 x 1.
Find f x g ( x)

What is the domain?

Find

f x
g(x)

Composite Function When you

combine two or more functions
The

composition of
function g with
function is written as

g f x g f x
1

1. Evaluate the inner function f(x) first.

2. Then use your answer as the input of
the outer function g(x).

Composition
f(g(x))

means you take the function g

and plug it in for the x-values in the
function f, then simplify.

g(f(x))

means you take the function f

and plug it in for the x-values in the
function g, then simplify.

The COMPOSITION of the function f with g is

( f g )( x) f ( g ( x))
f ( x) x 2

g ( x) x 1

( f g )( x) f ( g ( x)) f ( x 1) ( x 1)
( g f )( x) g ( f ( x)) g ( x ) x 1
2

Plug the second function into the first

Example Composition of
Functions

Let f x x 2 and g x x 2 . Find g f 5

Method 1:

Method 2:

g f x g f x

g f x g f x

g x g ( x 2) ( x 2) 2

g f 5 g (5 2)

g f 5 5 2

g (7)

(7) 49
2

(7) 49
2

Lets try some

Let f x x 3 and g x x 2 7. Find g f 2

Solution
Let f x x 3 and g x x 2 7. Find g f 2

Solving with a Graphing Calculator

Let f x x 3 and g x x 2 7. Find g f 2
Start with the y= list.
Input x3 for Y1 and x2+7 for Y2

Now go back to the home screen.

Press VARS, YVARS and select
1. You will get the list of
functions.
Using VARS and YVARS enter
the function as Y2(Y1(2).
You should get 71 as a solution.

Real Life Application

You are shopping in a store that is

offering 20% off everything. You also
have a coupon for $5 off any item.

Write functions for the two situations.

Let x = original price.
1.

20% discount: f(x) = x 0.20x = 0.8x

Cost with the coupon: g(x) = x - 5

You are shopping in a store that is offering 20% off

everything. You also have a coupon for $5 off any
item.

2. Make a composition
of functions:

g f x ( g (0.8 x))
0.8 x 5
This represents if
they clerk does the
discount first, then
takes $5 off the
discounted price.

You are shopping in a store that is offering 20% off

everything. You also have a coupon for $5 off any
item.

3. Now try applying the

$5 coupon first, then
taking 20% off:

f g x ( f ( g ( x 5))
0.8( x 5)
0.8x - 4

How much more will

it be if the clerk
applies the coupon
BEFORE the
discount?

You are shopping in a store that is offering 20% off

everything. You also have a coupon for $5 off any
item.

4. Subtract the two

functions:

f g x g f x
(0.8 x 4) (0.8 x 5) 1

Any item will be $1

more if the coupon is
applied first. You will
save $1 if you take
the discount, then
use the coupon.