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6.1 Composite Functions

This document discusses composite functions and decomposing functions. It defines composite functions as f(g(x)) where f and g are functions. The domain of a composite function f(g(x)) includes values where x is in the domain of g and g(x) is in the domain of f. Examples are provided of evaluating composite functions and finding their domains. Decomposing functions involves expressing a function as the composition of two simpler functions, like expressing h(x) = (3x^2 - 4x + 1)^5 as h(x) = f(g(x)) where f(x) = x^5 and g(x) = 3x^2 - 4x + 1.

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232 views3 pages

6.1 Composite Functions

This document discusses composite functions and decomposing functions. It defines composite functions as f(g(x)) where f and g are functions. The domain of a composite function f(g(x)) includes values where x is in the domain of g and g(x) is in the domain of f. Examples are provided of evaluating composite functions and finding their domains. Decomposing functions involves expressing a function as the composition of two simpler functions, like expressing h(x) = (3x^2 - 4x + 1)^5 as h(x) = f(g(x)) where f(x) = x^5 and g(x) = 3x^2 - 4x + 1.

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6.

1 Composite Functions

Composite Functions

The composition of the function f with g is denoted by f ! g and is defined by the equation
( f ! g)(x) = f (g(x)). For a more detailed explanation and example of the logic behind this, see
page 403 in the textbook.

The domain of the composite function is the set of all x such that:
1. x is in the domain of g
2. g(x) is in the domain of f

Ex. 1: Suppose that f (x) = 2x 2 − 3 and g(x) = 4x. Find:


a. ( f ! g)(1) 




b. (g ! f )(1)

c. ( f ! f )(−2)

d. (g ! g)(−1)

Ex. 2: Given f (x) = 3x − 4 and g(x) = x 2 − 2x + 6, find each of the following:

a. ( f ! g)(x) =

b. (g ! f )(x) =

c. (g ! f )(1) =
Domain of Composite Functions
1. If x is not in the domain of g, it must not be in the domain of the composite function.
2. Any x for which g(x) is not in the domain of f must not be in the domain of the composite
functions.
2 3
Ex. 3: Given f (x) = and g(x) = , find ( f ! g)(x) and its domain.
x −1 x

1 4
Ex. 4: Suppose that f (x) = and g(x) = . Find f ! g and f ! f and then find the
x+2 x −1
domain of each composite function.

1
Ex. 5: If f (x) = 3x − 4 and g(x) = (x + 4), show that ( f ! g)(x) = (g ! f )(x) = x. Note: This is
3
really relevant for 6.2.
Decomposing Functions

Just like we can “compose” two functions and make them into one, it is possible to “decompose”
a function and split it back into two functions. This involves for looking at function and trying to
determine if there is one function inside of or being operated on by another function.

For example, h(x) = (3x 2 − 4x + 1)5 is the function 3x 2 − 4x + 1 being raised to the fifth power.
So we could decompose it into a fifth power function, f (x) = x 5 , and the function inside of that
fifth power function, g(x) = 3x 2 − 4x + 1. So
( f ! g)(x) = f (g(x)) = f (3x 2 − 4x + 1) = (3x 2 − 4x + 1)5 = h(x).

Ex. 6: Express h(x) as the composition of two functions: h(x) = 3


x 2 + 1.

Ex. 7: Express h(x) as the composition of two functions: h(x) = (x 2 + 1)50 .

1
Ex. 8: Express h(x) as the composition of two functions: h(x) = .
x +1

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