50 Functions (Chapter 2)
Algebraically, if f(x)=x^4 and g(x)=2x+3 then
(f±g)(x)=f(g(x))
=f(2x+3) fgoperates onxfirstg
=(2x+3)^4 ffoperates ong(x)nextg
and (g±f)(x)=g(f(x))
=g(x^4 ) ffoperates onxfirstg
=2(x^4 )+3 fgoperates onf(x)nextg
=2x^4 +3
So, f(g(x)) 6 =g(f(x)).
In general, (f±g)(x) 6 =(g±f)(x).
We can also compose a functionfwith itself. The resulting function is (f±f)(x) or f^2 (x).
In general, (f±f)(x) 6 =(f(x))^2.
Example 12 Self Tutor
Given f:x 7! 2 x+1 and g:x 7! 3 ¡ 4 x, find in simplest form:
a (f±g)(x) b gf(x) c f^2 (x)
f(x)=2x+1 and g(x)=3¡ 4 x
a (f±g)(x)
=f(g(x))
=f(3¡ 4 x)
= 2(3¡ 4 x)+1
=6¡ 8 x+1
=7¡ 8 x
b gf(x)
=g(f(x))
=g(2x+1)
=3¡4(2x+1)
=3¡ 8 x¡ 4
=¡ 8 x¡ 1
c f^2 (x)
=f(f(x))
=f(2x+1)
= 2(2x+1)+1
=4x+2+1
=4x+3
In the previousExampleyou should have observed how we can substitute an expression into a function.
If f(x)=2x+1then f(¢) = 2(¢) + 1
) f(3¡ 4 x) = 2(3¡ 4 x)+1.
Example 13 Self Tutor
Given f(x)=6x¡ 5 and g(x)=x^2 +x, determine:
a (g±f)(¡1) b (f±f)(0)
a (g±f)(¡1) =g(f(¡1))
Now f(¡1) = 6(¡1)¡ 5
=¡ 11
) (g±f)(¡1) =g(¡11)
=(¡11)^2 +(¡11)
= 110
b (f±f)(0) =f(f(0))
Now f(0) = 6(0)¡ 5
=¡ 5
) (f±f)(0) =f(¡5)
=6(¡5)¡ 5
=¡ 35
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Additional Mathematics
Y:\HAESE\CAM4037\CamAdd_02\050CamAdd_02.cdr Thursday, 19 December 2013 2:38:52 PM BRIAN