DIVIDING FUNCTIONS

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
DEFINITION: Let f and g be functions. Their quotient, denoted by f/g, is the
function denoted by (f/g)(x)=f(x)/g(x), excluding the values of x where
g(x)=0.

GIVEN: Let f and g be defined as f (x) = x2 + 5x + 6 and g (x)= x2 -4. Find f/g
SOLUTION: f/g is the function denoted by (f/g)(x)=f(x)/g(x

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥2 + 5x + 6 (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 3) (𝑥 + 3)
= = = =
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) x2 − 4 (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) (𝑥 − 2)

(𝑥+3)
ANSWER:
(𝑥−2)

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
GIVEN: Let f and g be defined as f (x) = x2 + 10x + 25 and
g (x)= x2 + 6X + 5. Find g/f
SOLUTION: g/f is the function denoted by (g/f)(x)=g(x)/f(x)
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥2 + 6x + 5 (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 5) (𝑥 + 1)
= = 2 = =
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) x + 10x + 25 (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 5) (𝑥 + 5)

(𝑥+1)
ANSWER:
(𝑥+5)

TRY THESE:
1. Let f and g be defined as f (x) = x-5 and g (x)= x2 -25 . Find f/g.

2. Let f and g be defined as f (x) = x2 -3x-10 and g (x)= x2 + 5x +6. Find g/f.

3. Let f and g be defined as f (x) = x2 + 9x + 8 and g (x)= x2 + 10x + 16. Find f/g.
 Description: This activity will enable you to correct erroneous solution.
Direction: Do as directed.

Which of the following is correct?

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥2 −25 (𝑥+5)(𝑥−5) (𝑥−5)
A. = = = =
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) x2 +7x+10 (𝑥+5)(𝑥+2) (𝑥+2)

𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥2 + 2x + 1 (𝑥+1)(𝑥+1) (𝑥+1)

B. = = = =
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) x2 +5x+6 (𝑥+1)(𝑥+6) (𝑥+6)

𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥2 + 6x−7 (𝑥−1)(𝑥+7)

C. = = = = x−1
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) x2 +14x+49 (𝑥+7)(𝑥+7)

Based on the question with options, answer the following.

Lea indicated that Letter B is the correct answer.

1. Do you agree with lea?

2. What makes Lea wrong?

3. How will you explain to her that she is wrong in a subtle way?

Claro insisted that Letter A is the correct answer. Do you agree with angelo? If yes, why? If no, state
the correct solution.

Description: This activity will enable you to correct erroneous solution.

Direction: Do as directed.

Which of the following is correct?

𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥2 −25 (𝑥+5)(𝑥−5) (𝑥−5)
D. = = = =
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) x2 +7x+10 (𝑥+5)(𝑥+2) (𝑥+2)

𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥2 + 2x + 1 (𝑥+1)(𝑥+1) (𝑥+1)

E. = = = =
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) x2 +5x+6 (𝑥+1)(𝑥+6) (𝑥+6)

𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥2 + 6x−7 (𝑥−1)(𝑥+7)

F. = = = = x−1
𝑓 𝑓(𝑥) x2 +14x+49 (𝑥+7)(𝑥+7)

Based on the question with options, answer the following.

Lea indicated that Letter B is the correct answer.

4. Do you agree with lea?

5. What makes Lea wrong?

6. How will you explain to her that she is wrong in a subtle way?

Claro insisted that Letter A is the correct answer. Do you agree with angelo? If yes, why? If no, state
the correct solution.