OPERATIONS

ON FUNCTIONS
 If you know how to perform
the four basic operations on
polynomials, then you can
also add, subtract, multiply,
and divide functions as well
as the composition of
functions.
WARM UP
Simplify. Assume that all expressions
are defined.
𝟐
− 𝒙 − 𝒙+𝟕

𝟑 𝟐
𝒙 − 𝒙 − 𝟓 𝒙 −𝟑
𝒙 −𝟑
𝒙 −𝟐
NOTATION FOR FUNCTION
OPERATIONS
OPERATION NOTATION
ADDITION
(SUM)
SUBTRACTION
(DIFFERENCE)

MULTIPLICATION
(PRODUCT)

DIVISION
(QUOTIENT)
Addition and
Subtraction
Example 1 (Addition)
Given and , find .

( 𝒇 + 𝒈)( 𝒙 )
( 𝑓 +𝑔 ) ( 𝑥 )= 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) +𝑔 (𝑥 )
¿ ( 4 𝑥 +3 𝑥 −1 ) +( 6 𝑥 +2) Substitute function rules.
2

2
¿ 4 𝑥 + 9 𝑥 +1 Combine like terms.
 Example 1 (Subtraction)
Given and , find .

( 𝒇 − 𝒈 )( 𝒙 )

( 4 𝑥 +3 𝑥 − 1 ) − (6 𝑥 +2)Substitute function rules.

2
4 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 −1 −6 𝑥 − 2 Distributive Property

2
4 𝑥 −3 𝑥 − 3 Combine like terms.
Example 2 (Addition)
Given and , find .

( 𝒇 + 𝒈)( 𝒙 )
( 𝑓 +𝑔 ) ( 𝑥 )= 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) +𝑔 (𝑥 )
2
¿ ( 5 𝑥 − 6 ) +( 𝑥 −5 𝑥+ 6) Substitute function rules.
2
¿ 𝑥 Combine like terms.
 Example 2 (Subtraction)
Given and , find .

( 𝒇 − 𝒈 )( 𝒙 )

2
( 5 𝑥 − 6 ) − (𝑥 − 5 𝑥+ 6)Substitute function rules.
2
5 𝑥 − 6 − 𝑥 +5 𝑥 − 6 Distributive Property

2
− 𝑥 +10 𝑥 − 12 Combine like terms.
Multiplication
and Division
When you divide functions, be sure
to note any domain restrictions that
may arise.

Note The condition in the

( 𝒇𝒈 )( 𝒙 )
𝑓𝑔 ) ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) • 𝑔 ( 𝑥)
2 Substitute function
¿ (6 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 12)( 2 𝑥 − 3) rules.
2 Distributive
( ) ( )
¿ 6 𝑥 2 𝑥 − 3 − 𝑥 2 𝑥 −3 −12 (2 𝑥 −3)Property
3 2 2
¿ 12 𝑥 −18 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 +3 𝑥 −24 𝑥 +36 Multiply.
3 2
¿ 12 𝑥 −20 𝑥 − 21 𝑥 +36 Combine like terms.
 Example 3 (Division)
Given and , find .

( 𝒇
𝒈 )( 𝒙 )
) ( 𝑥)=
𝑓 (𝑥 )
𝑔( 𝑥 )
Set up the division as a
rational expression.
2
( 6 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 12) Factor completely.
¿
(2 𝑥 − 3) Note that .
( 2 𝑥 − 3)(3 𝑥+ 4) Divide out
¿
(2 𝑥 − 3) common factors.
3
3 𝑥 +4 , 𝑤h𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑥 ≠ Simplify.
2
 Example 4 (Multiplication)
Given and , find .

( 𝒇𝒈 )( 𝒙 )
𝑓𝑔 ) ( 𝑥 ) = 𝑓 ( 𝑥 ) • 𝑔 ( 𝑥)
2 Substitute function
¿ ( 𝑥 +2)( 𝑥 − 4 ) rules.
3 2
𝑥 − 4 𝑥 +2 𝑥 − 8 Multiply.

3 2
+2 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 −8 Simplify.
 Example 4 (Division)
Given and , find .

( 𝒈
𝒇 )( 𝒙 )
𝑔
𝑓 ) ( 𝑥 ) =¿ ¿
2
Set up the division as a
rational expression.
(𝑥 − 4) Factor completely.
( 𝑥 +2 ) Note that .
( 𝑥 +2 )( 𝑥 − 2) Divide out common
¿
( 𝑥 + 2) factors.

𝑥 − 2 , 𝑤h𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑥 ≠ − 2Simplify.
Composition of
Functions
Another function operation uses the
output from one function as the input for
a second function. This operation is called
the Composition of Functions.
The order of function operations is the same as
the order of operations for numbers and
expressions. To find , evaluate first and then
substitute the result into .
Reading Math

The composition or is
read “ of of ”.
Caution!

Be careful not to confuse the

𝒇 (𝒈 ( 𝟒) )
Step 1 Find
=7–4 g(x) = 7 – x
=3
Step 2 Find
=2
3 f(x) = 2x
=8
So
 Evaluating Composite Functions
Given and , find .

𝒈 ( 𝒇 ( 𝟒) )
Step 1 Find
4 x
=2 f(x) = 2
= 16
Step 2 Find
= 7 – 16 g(x) = 7 – x
= -9
So
 Check It Out!
Given and , find .

𝒇 ( 𝒈 (𝟑 ) )
Step 1 Find
2
g(x) = x
=9
Step 2 Find
= 2(9) - 3 f(x) = 2x-3
= 15
So
 Check It Out!
Given and , find .

𝒈 ( 𝒇 (𝟑 ) )
Step 1 Find
𝒇 (𝟑 )=𝟐 ( 𝟑 ) −𝟑 f(x) = 2x-3
=3
Step 2 Find
𝒈 ( 𝟑 ) =𝟑
𝟐 g(x) = x2
=9
So
You can use algebraic
expressions as well as
numbers as inputs into
functions. To find a rule
for , substitute the rule
for g into f.
 Writing Composite Functions
Given and , find .

( 𝒇 ∘ 𝒈 ) ( 𝒙)= 𝒇 ( 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ))
Substitute the
𝒇 ( 𝒈 ( 𝒙 ) ) = 𝒇 (𝟐 𝒙 − 𝟑) rule g into f.
Use the rule for f.
¿ 𝟑 ( 𝟐 𝒙 − 𝟑 ) − 𝟓 Replace by .
¿ 𝟔 𝒙 − 𝟗− 𝟓 Apply Distribution
Property.
¿ 𝟔 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟒 Combine like
terms.
Thus,
 Writing Composite Functions
Given and , find .

( 𝒈 ∘ 𝒇 ) ( 𝒙 ) =𝒈 ( 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) )
Substitute the
𝒈 ( 𝒇 ( 𝒙 ) ) =𝒈(𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟓) rule f into g.
Use the rule for g.
¿ 𝟐 ( 𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟓 ) − 𝟑 Replace by .
¿ 𝟔 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟎 −𝟑 Apply Distribution
Property.
¿ 𝟔 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟑 Combine like
terms.
Thus,
 Writing Composite Functions

Let's try!
Find each function.
 Given and .

( 𝒇 ∘ 𝒇 )( 𝒙 )

( 𝒈 ∘ 𝒈) ( 𝒙 )
Activity
Given and , find each function or
value.
1. 6.
2. 7.
3.

4.

5.
Given and , write each
composite function.

8.

9.

10.
Solving Problems Problems
Involving Functions