Week 5 Assignment

Courtney Rothermel
MAT222: Intermediate Algebra
Instructor: Thurman Solano
July 28, 2014

Composition and Inverse

The following functions will be used in this weeks assignment: f(x)=2x+5, g(x)=x2-3 and
h(x)=

We are first asked to compute (f-h)(4). Like many algebra problems, the solution becomes
obvious, or at least easier, once it has been rewritten into a different format. We will solve the
problem in this way:
(f-h)(4)

Original expression

f(4)-h(4)

Rewritten

(2(4)+5) -

Substitute 4 for x

8+5- 33

Simplify

13-1

Simplify further

12

Solution

The second problem involves composing two pairs into each other.
(fg)(x)

Original expression

f(g(x)

Rewritten so that rule of f will apply

f(x2-3)

g inserted

2x2-3+5

f applied to g

2x2-6+5

Simplified

2x2-1

Solution

The third problem also involves composing two pairs into each other.
(hg)(x)

Original expression

h(g(x))

Rewritten so that rule of h will apply to g

h(x2-3)

g inserted
h applied to g

21- (x2-3)

Multiply numerator and denominator by 3

21-3x2-9

Simplified

12-3x2

Simplified

-3x2+12

Rewritten

x2+4

Solution

The fourth problem involves transforming the function g(x)=(x2-3) so that it appears on a
different x and y axis. In order to transform the g(x) function 6 points to the right and 7 down, we
must modify the equation in the following way:
g(x)=(x2-3)

Original function

g(x)=((x-6)2-3)

Subtracting 6 from x will transform the function 6

spaces to the right

g(x)=(x-62)-3-7

Subtracting 7 from the entire function will transform the

function 7 spaces down.

Lastly, we must find the inverse of both f and h. To do so, we will simply rewrite the
function with y instead of the function name, switch y and x and then solve for y. Then we will
rename y again to the inverse function name to solve. To solve: f-1(x)

f(x)=2x+5

Original function

y=2x+5

Rewritten with y replacing function name

x=2y+5

Rewritten with x and y transposed

2y=x-5

Solving for y

y=x-52

Solved for y

f-1x=x-52-x

Solved.

To solve h-1(x):
h(x)=

Original function

y=

Rewritten with y replacing function name

x=

Rewritten with x and y transposed

3x=7-y

Multiply both sides by 3

-y=3x-7

Isolate y

y=-3x+7

multiply both sides by -1

h-1x=-3x+ 7

Solved.

After reading chapter 11, the real-world functions that pertain to the force on a ship's
sails, e.g. the location of the center of effort (propulsive force), the direction of that force and the
pressure on those sails. One of my hobbies is researching naval history, specifically in the late
18th and early 19th century (I was exposed to C.S. Forester at an early age). However, outside of
a few dinghies and sailboats, I only have an amateur's understanding of the forces involved in
directing a ship of any size with and against the wind. It surprised me to find a great deal of
physics and algebra is involved in determining the maximum force that a sail can handle. I was
aware that trigonometry was routinely used in determining the ship's position, and that advanced
mathematics were necessary to use a sextant to determine longitude. Further math was needed to
estimate position based on earlier known position, and the ship speed versus leeway, resulting in

dead reckoning. However, the functions involved in the breaking point and most effective points
of sail were unknown to me before reading this chapter.

References
Dugopolski, M. (2012). Elementary and intermediate algebra (4th ed.). New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill Publishing