Operations and Evaluations of Functions

A function is a relation which states that for every possible x there is one and only
one output for y.

A relation is a function if it passes a vertical line test -- meaning that no vertical lines
intersect the graph at more than one point.

The notation f(x) means that we have a function named f and the variable in that
function is x. (It does NOT mean "f times x.")

The domain of the function describes values of x that can be put into the function. The
range of the function describes the values of the output.

Evaluating a Function

Evaluating a function means to substitute a variable with its given number or

expression.

Example

Evaluate f(x) = 2x + 4 for x = 5

This means to substitute 5 for x and simplify. It is recommended that the value being
substituted be placed inside parenthesis. (This is just to make things easier to look
at.)

f(5) = 2(5) + 4 = 14

Adding and Subtracting Functions

To add functions, add their outputs; to subtract functions, subtract their outputs.

Example

Given f(x) = x2 and g(x) = 4x + 1

f(x) + g(x) = x2 + 4x + 1
(f + g)(x) = x2 + 4x + 1

f(x) - g(x) = x2 - (4x + 1) = x2 - 4x - 1 (remember the distributive property)

(f - g)(x) = x2 - 4x - 1

Multiplying a Function by a Constant

To multiply a function by a constant, multiply the output by that constant.

Example

Given f(x) = 4x - 1, find 2 * f(x).

f(x) = 4x - 1
2 * f(x) = 2 * (4x - 1) = 8x - 2

Multiplying a Function by a Function

To multiply a function by another function, multiply the outputs.

Example

Given f(x) = 2x and g(x) = x + 1, find f(x) * g(x)

f(x) * g(x) = (2x) * (x + 1)
f(x) * g(x) = 2x2 + 2x
Operations on Functions
Functions with overlapping domains can be added, subtracted, multiplied and
divided. If f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x) are two functions, then for allxx in the domain of both functions
the sum, difference, product and quotient are defined as follows.
(f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x)
(f−g)(x)=f(x)−g(x)
(fg)(x)=f(x)×g(x)(fg)(x)=f(x)g(x),g(x)≠0(f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x)(f−g)(x)=f(x)−g(x)(fg)(x)=f(x)×g(x)(fg)(
x)=f(x)g(x),g(x)≠0
Example :

Let f(x)=2x+1f(x)=2x+1 and g(x)=x2−4g(x)=x2−4

Find (f+g)(x),(f−g)(x),(fg)(x)(f+g)(x),(f−g)(x),(fg)(x) and (fg)(x)(fg)(x) .
(f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x)                        =(2x+1)+(x2−4)                        =x2+2x−3(f+g)(x)=f(x)+g(x)    
                    =(2x+1)+(x2−4)                        =x2+2x−3
(f−g)(x)=f(x)−g(x)                        =(2x+1)−(x2−4)                        =−x2+2x+5(f−g)(x)=f(x)−g(x)
                        =(2x+1)−(x2−4)                        =−x2+2x+5
(fg)(x)=f(x)×g(x)                 =(2x+1)(x2−4)                 =2x3+x2−8x−4(fg)(x)=f(x)×g(x)                 
=(2x+1)(x2−4)                 =2x3+x2−8x−4
(fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)=2x+1x2−4,x≠±2(fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)=2x+1x2−4,x≠±2
Another way to combine two functions to create a new function is called the composition of
functions . In the composition of functions we substitute an entire function into another function.

The notation of the function ff with gg is (f∘g)(x)=f(g(x))(f∘g)(x)=f(g(x)) and is

read ff of gg of xx . It means that wherever there is an xx in the function ff , it is replaced with the
function g(x)g(x) . The domain of f∘gf∘g is the set of all xx in the domain of gg such
that g(x)g(x) is in the domain of ff .
Example 1:

Let f(x)=x2f(x)=x2 and g(x)=x−3g(x)=x−3 . Find f(g(x))f(g(x)) .

f(g(x))=f(x−3)                    =(x−3)2                    =x2−6x+9f(g(x))=f(x−3)                    =(x−3)2                  
  =x2−6x+9
Example 2:

Let f(x)=2x−1f(x)=2x−1 and g(x)=x+2g(x)=x+2 . Find f(g(x))f(g(x)) .

f(g(x))=f(x+2)                    =2(x+2)−1                    =2x+3f(g(x))=f(x+2)                    =2(x+2)−1             
       =2x+3
Order DOES matter when finding the composition of functions.

Example 3:

Let f(x)=3x+1f(x)=3x+1 and g(x)=2x−3g(x)=2x−3 .

Find f(g(x))f(g(x)) and g(f(x))g(f(x)) .
f(g(x))=f(2x−3)                    =3(2x−3)+1                    =6x−8g(f(x))=f(3x+1)                    =2(3
x+1)−3                    =6x−1f(g(x))=f(2x−3)                    =3(2x−3)+1                    =6x−8g(f(x))=f(3x+1)            
        =2(3x+1)−3                    =6x−1
Since 6x−8≠2x−1,  f(g(x))≠g(f(x))6x−8≠2x−1,  f(g(x))≠g(f(x)) .