Composite Functions Notes

Basics.Review Given f : x f ( x ) and g : x g ( x ) , the composite function of f and g will convert x into f ( g ( x )) .
f g

is used to represent the composite function of f and g. It means f following g.

(f

g )( x ) = f ( g ( x ))

or

f g : x f ( g ( x )).

Example 1: f : x 2 x + 1 and g : x 3 4 x , find the simplest form: a) ( f g )( x ) b) ( g f )( x )

Example 2: If you drop a pebble into a pond, a circular ripple extends out from the drop point. The radius of the circle is a function of time. The area enclosed by the circular ripple is a function of the radius. This area is a function of time through this chain of functions. Suppose that the radius of the ripple is increasing at the constant rate of 8 in/s then r=? How many inches is the radius after 5 seconds? What is the output (range) and what is the input (domain)? What is the area of the circle made by the pebble? Use composite functions to find the area of the circle made by the pebble in terms of time.

Example 3 Composite functions using graphs

Composite function notes

a) Find f(g(2)) b) If f(g(2)) = g(f(2))? Note that in order to find a value of a composite function such as f(g(x)), the value of g(x) must be in the domain of the outside function f. c) Find g(f(7)) Composition of functions from equations. Example 4 f(x)=3x+5 g(x) = 2x a) Find f(g(4)), g(f(0)), b) Show f(g(-1)) is not the same as g(f(-1))

Domain and Range of composite functions Composite function notes 2

Example 5 Find the domain of f(g(x)) let g(x) = xx-3 for 2 x 7 let f(x) = -2x+8 for 1 x 5

Step 1 First observe that the range of g(x) must be in the domain of f

Step 2 Observe that x needs to be in the domain of g(x)

Step 3 Use number lines to find the intersection of the two sets.

Composite function notes

On the calculator:

Composite function notes