GE1359 Problem Set 1 Solution Summer 2022

1. 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 and 𝐷 are equal, since they only contain the elements 1, 2, 3.

𝐸 is not equal to 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 or 𝐷, since 4 ∈ 𝐸 but 4 is not an element of 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷.

2. 𝑌⊆𝐴 & 𝑌⊆𝐵 ⇒ 𝑌 ⊆ 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓}

𝑌 ⊈ 𝐶, so there is at least one element in 𝑌 which does not belong to 𝐶.
Only the element 𝑒 in the set {𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓} is not in 𝐶, so 𝑌 must contain the element 𝑒.
∴ 𝑌 could be {𝑒}, {𝑑, 𝑒}, {𝑒, 𝑓} or {𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓}.
∴ Among the sets 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷, 𝐸, 𝐹, only 𝐷 and 𝐸 can equal 𝑌.

3. (a) 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {𝑏, 𝑑} , 𝐴 ∩ 𝐶 = {𝑐, 𝑑} , 𝐵 ∩ 𝐶 = {𝑑, 𝑓}

(b) 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑓, ℎ} , 𝐴 ∪ 𝐶 = {𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓} , 𝐵 ∪ 𝐶 = {𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓, ℎ}
(c) 𝐴\𝐵 = {𝑎, 𝑐} , 𝐵\𝐴 = {𝑓, ℎ} , 𝐵\𝐶 = {𝑏, ℎ} ,
𝐶\𝐵 = {𝑐, 𝑒} , 𝐴\𝐶 = {𝑎, 𝑏} , 𝐶\𝐴 = {𝑒, 𝑓}

4. (a) 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = [1, 4]
(b) 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = (2, 3]
(c) (ℝ\𝐴) ∩ 𝐵 = (3, 4]
(d) (ℝ\𝐵) ∩ 𝐴 = [1, 2]
(e) (ℝ\𝐴) ∩ (ℝ\𝐵) = (−∞, 1) ∪ (4, ∞)
(f) (ℝ\𝐴) ∪ (ℝ\𝐵) = (−∞, 2] ∪ (3, ∞)
(g) 𝐵 ∪ [𝐴 ∩ (ℝ\𝐵)] = [1, 4]
(h) [(ℝ\𝐴) ∩ 𝐵] ∪ [(ℝ\𝐵) ∩ 𝐴] = (3, 4] ∪ [1, 2]

5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2 , 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓) = ℝ
2
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥−1 , 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔) = ℝ\{1}

ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 , 𝐷𝑜𝑚(ℎ) = [0, ∞)

2
(a) (𝑓 + 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2 + 𝑥−1
𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓 + 𝑔) = ℝ\{1}
2
𝑔 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥−1 2
(b) (𝑓 ) (𝑥) = = = (𝑥−1)(𝑥 3+2)
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑥 3 +2

Dr. Emily Chan Page 1

 𝑔
is defined when (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 3 + 2) ≠ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 − 1 ≠ 0 and 𝑥 3 + 2 ≠ 0
𝑓

3 3
⇒ 𝑥 ≠ 1 and 𝑥 ≠ √−2 = − √2
𝑔 3
𝐷𝑜𝑚 (𝑓 ) = ℝ\{− √2, 1}
2 2
(c) (𝑔 ∘ 𝑓)(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑔(𝑥 3 + 2) = (𝑥 3+2)−1 = 𝑥 3 +1
3
which is only defined when 𝑥 3 + 1 ≠ 0, i.e. when 𝑥 ≠ √−1 = −1.
𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔 ∘ 𝑓) = ℝ\{−1}
2 2 3
(d) (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓 (𝑥−1) = (𝑥−1) + 2

𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔) = ℝ\{1}
2 2 3
(e) (𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 ∘ ℎ)(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑔(ℎ(𝑥))) = 𝑓 (𝑔(√𝑥)) = 𝑓 ( )=( ) +2
√ 𝑥−1 √ 𝑥−1

which is only defined when √𝑥 − 1 ≠ 0 and 𝑥 ≥ 0, i.e. when √𝑥 ≠ 1 and 𝑥 ≥ 0

⇒ 𝑥 ≠ 1 and 𝑥 ≥ 0
𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓 ∘ 𝑔 ∘ ℎ) = [0, ∞)\{1} or written as [0, 1) ∪ (1, ∞)

3 1
6. 𝐹(𝑥) = 2+𝑥 , 𝐺(𝑥) = 1 .
1+
𝑥

(a) 𝐹(𝑥) is defined when 2 + 𝑥 ≠ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 ≠ −2

𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝐹) = ℝ\{−2}
1
𝐺(𝑥) is defined when 𝑥 ≠ 0 and 1 + 𝑥 ≠ 0
1
⇒ 𝑥 ≠ 0 and ≠ −1 ⇒ 𝑥 ≠ 0 and 𝑥 ≠ −1
𝑥

𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝐺) = ℝ\{−1, 0}

1 3
(b) (𝐹 ∘ 𝐺)(𝑥) = 𝐹(𝐺(𝑥)) = 𝐹 ( 1 )= 1
1+ 2+ 1
𝑥 1+
𝑥

1
which is defined when 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝐺) and 2 + 1 ≠0
1+
𝑥

1
⇒ 𝑥 ∈ ℝ\{−1, 0} and 1 ≠ −2
1+
𝑥

1 1
⇒ 𝑥 ∈ ℝ\{−1, 0} and 1 + 𝑥 ≠ −2
1 3
⇒ 𝑥 ∈ ℝ\{−1, 0} and ≠ −2
𝑥
2
⇒ 𝑥 ∈ ℝ\{−1, 0} and 𝑥 ≠ − 3

Dr. Emily Chan Page 2

 2
𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝐹 ∘ 𝐺) = ℝ\ {−1, − 3 , 0}

7. (a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 = (𝑥 − 1)2 − 4

𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓) = ℝ
For every 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓) = ℝ, (𝑥 − 1)2 ≥ 0 ⇒ (𝑥 − 1)2 − 4 ≥ −4
𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝑓) = [−4, ∞)
𝑥−3 (𝑥+2)−5 5
(b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥+2 = = 1 − 𝑥+2
𝑥+2

𝑔 is defined when 𝑥 + 2 ≠ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 ≠ −2
𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔) = ℝ\{−2}
5
For every 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔) = ℝ\{−2}, − 𝑥−2 can be any real number except 0, thus
5
1 − 𝑥+2 ≠ 1 + 0 = 1

𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝑔) = ℝ\{1}

(c) ℎ(𝑥) = √𝑥 2 + 4
ℎ is defined when 𝑥 2 + 4 ≥ 0, which is always true for all real values of 𝑥.
𝐷𝑜𝑚(ℎ) = ℝ
For every 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(ℎ) = ℝ, 𝑥 2 ≥ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 2 + 4 ≥ 0 + 4 = 4

⇒ √𝑥 2 + 4 ≥ √4 = 2
𝑅𝑎𝑛(ℎ) = [2, ∞)

8. (a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 5 − 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2
𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓) = ℝ
1
(b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 5−4𝑥−𝑥 2

𝑔 is defined when 5 − 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ≠ 0 ⇒ (1 − 𝑥)(5 + 𝑥) ≠ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 ≠ 1 and 𝑥 ≠ −5

𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔) = ℝ\{−5, 1}

(c) ℎ(𝑥) = √5 − 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2
ℎ is defined when 5 − 4𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ≥ 0 ⇒ (1 − 𝑥)(5 + 𝑥) ≥ 0
𝑥 < −5 𝑥 = −5 −5 < 𝑥 < 1 𝑥=1 𝑥>1
Sign of (1 − 𝑥) + + + 0 −
Sign of (5 + 𝑥) − 0 + + +
Sign of (1 − 𝑥)(5 + 𝑥) − 0 + 0 −
𝐷𝑜𝑚(ℎ) = [−5, 1]

Dr. Emily Chan Page 3

9. (a) If 𝑓(𝑥) is an odd function and 𝑔(𝑥) is an even function, then 𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥) and
𝑔(−𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥) for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓) ∩ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔).
(𝑓𝑔)(−𝑥) = 𝑓(−𝑥)𝑔(−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = −(𝑓𝑔)(𝑥)
∴ (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) is an odd function.
(b) If 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both odd functions, then 𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑓(𝑥) and
𝑔(−𝑥) = −𝑔(𝑥) for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓) ∩ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔).
(𝑓𝑔)(−𝑥) = 𝑓(−𝑥)𝑔(−𝑥) = [−𝑓(𝑥)][−𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥)
∴ (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) is an even function.
(c) If 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥) are both even functions, then 𝑓(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑔(−𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥)
for all 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑓) ∩ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑔).
(𝑓𝑔)(−𝑥) = 𝑓(−𝑥)𝑔(−𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥)
∴ (𝑓𝑔)(𝑥) is an even function.

sin(𝑥 3 +𝑥)
10. (a) 𝑓1 (𝑥) = 𝑥 4 +3

sin[(−𝑥)3 + (−𝑥)] sin(−𝑥 3 − 𝑥) sin(𝑥 3 + 𝑥)

𝑓1 (−𝑥) = = = − = −𝑓1 (𝑥)
(−𝑥)4 + 3 𝑥4 + 3 𝑥4 + 3
∴ 𝑓1 (𝑥) is an odd function.
(b) 𝑓2 (𝑥) = |𝑥 5 + 1|
𝑓2 (−𝑥) = |(−𝑥)5 + 1| = |−𝑥 5 + 1| ≠ 𝑓2 (𝑥) nor − 𝑓2 (𝑥)
∴ 𝑓2 (𝑥) is neither even nor odd.
(c) 𝑓3 (𝑥) = cos 3 (2𝑥)
𝑓3 (−𝑥) = cos 3 [2(−𝑥)] = cos 3 (−2𝑥) = [cos(−2𝑥)]3 = [cos(2𝑥)]3 = cos3 (2𝑥)
= 𝑓3 (𝑥)
∴ 𝑓3 (𝑥) is an even function.

11. 𝐹(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3, 𝑥 ≥ 0.
(a) 𝐹(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 = (𝑥 + 1)2 − 4 = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 1)

𝑥
0 1

−3
Dr. Emily Chan Page 4
 By the Horizontal Line Test, no horizontal intersects the graph more than once,
therefore 𝐹(𝑥) is one-to-one.
𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝐹) = [−3, ∞)
(b) Since 𝐹(𝑥) is one-to-one, its inverse exists.
Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3, 𝑥 ≥ 0.
Then 𝑦 = (𝑥 + 1)2 − 4 ⇒ 𝑦 + 4 = (𝑥 + 1)2

⇒ 𝑥 + 1 = √𝑦 + 4 or 𝑥 + 1 = −√𝑦 + 4 (rejected since 𝑥 ≥ 0 so that

𝑥 + 1 ≥ 1 > 0)

⇒ 𝑥 = √𝑦 + 4 − 1

∴ 𝐹 −1 (𝑥) = √𝑥 + 4 − 1
𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝐹 −1 ) = 𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝐹) = [−3, ∞)
𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝐹 −1 ) = 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝐹) = [0, ∞)

12. (a) 𝑝(𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ

Let 𝑝(𝑥1 ) = 𝑝(𝑥2 ). Then 3𝑥1 − 2 = 3𝑥2 − 2 ⇒ 3𝑥1 = 3𝑥2
⇒ 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 is the only solution.
Hence, 𝑝(𝑥) is one-to-one and so its inverse exists.
𝑦+2
Let 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2. Then 𝑦 + 2 = 3𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥 = 3
𝑥+2
∴ 𝑝−1 (𝑥) = 3

For every 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑝) = ℝ, 3𝑥 − 2 can be any real number, i.e. 𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝑝) = ℝ.

∴ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑝−1 ) = 𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝑝) = ℝ
(b) 𝑞(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 1, 𝑥 ≥ 0
Let 𝑞(𝑥1 ) = 𝑞(𝑥2 ).
Then 𝑥12 − 1 = 𝑥22 − 1 ⇒ 𝑥12 = 𝑥22
⇒ 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 or 𝑥1 = −𝑥2 (rejected since 𝑥 ≥ 0)
⇒ 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 is the only solution.
Hence, 𝑞(𝑥) is one-to-one and so its inverse exists.
Let 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 1, 𝑥 ≥ 0.

Then 𝑦 + 1 = 𝑥 2 ⇒ 𝑥 = √𝑦 + 1 or 𝑥 = −√𝑦 + 1 (rejected since 𝑥 ≥ 0)

∴ 𝑞 −1 (𝑥) = √𝑥 + 1

Dr. Emily Chan Page 5

 For every 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑞) = [0, ∞),
𝑥 2 ≥ 0 ⇒ 𝑥 2 − 1 ≥ −1, i.e. 𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝑞) = [−1, ∞).
∴ 𝐷𝑜𝑚(𝑞 −1 ) = 𝑅𝑎𝑛(𝑞) = [−1, ∞)

- End -

Dr. Emily Chan Page 6