Composite Functions

A composite function is a function that is formed by applying one function to the output of another
function. Composite functions have the form f(g(x)), where f and g are both functions.

For example, consider the functions f(x) = x^2 and g(x) = x+1. The composite function f(g(x)) = (x+1)^2
can be written as (f o g)(x) = x^2 + 2x + 1. The symbol "o" is used to denote composite functions.

To evaluate a composite function, we substitute the input value x into the inner function g(x), and then
substitute the output of g(x) into the outer function f(x). For example, to evaluate (f o g)(3), we first
substitute 3 into g(x) to get g(3) = 3+1 = 4. Then we substitute 4 into f(x) to get f(4) = 4^2 = 16.
Therefore, (f o g)(3) = 16.

The domain of a composite function is the set of all values of x that can be plugged into the inner
function g(x) and produce an output that is in the domain of the outer function f(x). For example, if the
domain of g(x) is all real numbers and the domain of f(x) is all positive real numbers, then the domain of
(f o g)(x) is all real numbers.

The range of a composite function is the set of all values of y that can be produced by substituting the
output of the inner function g(x) into the outer function f(x). For example, if the range of g(x) is all
positive real numbers and the range of f(x) is all real numbers, then the range of (f o g)(x) is all real
numbers.

Composite functions have some important properties:

1. The composite function (f o g)(x) is not necessarily equal to the composite function (g o f)(x).

2. The derivative of a composite function can be found using the chain rule. The chain rule states
that the derivative of (f o g)(x) is equal to the derivative of f(g(x)) times the derivative of g(x).
This can be written as: (f o g)'(x) = f'(g(x)) * g'(x)

3. For example, consider the functions f(x) = x^2 and g(x) = x+1. The composite function f(g(x)) =
(x+1)^2 has a derivative of: (f o g)'(x) = f'(g(x)) * g'(x) = 2(x+1) * 1 = 2x+2

4. The inverse of a composite function is not necessarily equal to the inverse of the inner and outer
functions. For example, the inverse of (f o g)(x) is not necessarily equal to (g^(-1) o f^(-1))(x).