MODULE 4 - A M0DULE ON COMPOSITION OF FUNCTION

Introduction:
In the preceding module, basic operations on functions were discussed. From there, one has
learned that functions are added, subtracted, multiplied and divided the same way as algebraic
expressions.
This module covers composition of function. Once again, knowledge in operations
and evaluation of functions are the skills most essential in the performance of this learning
experience.

Objectives:
At the end of the module, you would be able to:
1. find composite function of two functions

2. recall basic algebraic operations

Instructions to the Users

Welcome to this module on composition of functions, one of the first lessons intended for

students of Differential Calculus like you.😊. You will be asked to first answer the pre-test without
using any reference. Right after the pre-test, you will find the answers to the items you solved on
the next page.
YOU NEED NOT STUDY THE ANSWERS PRESENTED HERE! This is done so you can
compare your answers and compute for your scores.
The lesson proper follows the pre-test; these are stand-alone lessons coupled with easy
to follow instructions. Enough examples will be provided to help you navigate your way to learn
composition of functions. An activity after the lesson proper will provide you with additional
exercise to practice your skill. Afterwards you will be asked to answer the post-test where your
score will determine if you can proceed to the next module. At the end is a self- assessment
questionnaire which you need to answer objectively.
At this point you will need a clean notebook where you can write your solutions for
comparison with the given answers later on. You will also need a timer so you can set your time
allotment for the pre-test. Observe the number of minutes you are allowed to spend in answering.
 You need to check your answer against the answer key and compare it to the range of
scores found in the table on the same page just so you would know your baseline knowledge on
composition of functions.
You should not feel anxious about the pre-test but should be excited about it!

LET’S START!!! 😊

Pretest:
Get a timer and set it to 40 minutes. Answer the following without consulting any
reference i.e. books, internet, etc. Answers are on the next page but refrain from looking at them
unless you are done with the test.

Find (f∘g)(x) and (g∘f)(x), from numbers 1 to 3 if

1. f(x) = 2x + 1 and g(x) = 3x
2. f(x) = 2x - 1 and g(x) = x + 3
3. f(x) = x2 – 1 and g(x) = x3
2
4. if f(x) = x2 + 2 and g(x) = , find (f∘g)(2) and (g∘f)(2).
x
1
5. find (f∘g)(3) and (g∘f)(0) if f(x) = √x and g(x) =
x−2

Answer to Pre-test:
Assign 1 point to every item written in red. Add all your points range and compare it
to the range in the table below:

Remarkable! You are very knowledgeable about composite function and you
10 may brouse the pages of this module just for fun!
Good! You know quite well about composite function. You might want to flip the
8-9 pages for fun and a bit of review.
Oh well! relax! You may find this module very useful as you decide to study
5-7 composite function at your own pace.
Do not fret!!! This module is really intended for you. Read every page and follow
≤4 the instructions along the way. At the end is a post-test to measure your
progress. Chill!
Find (f∘g)(x) and (g∘f)(x), from numbers 1 to 3 if
1. f(x) = 2x + 1 and g(x) = 3x → 6x + 1, 6x + 3
2. f(x) = 2x - 1 and g(x) = x + 3 → 2x + 5, 2x + 2
3. f(x) = x2 – 1 and g(x) = x3 → x6 – 1, x6 – 3x4 + 3x2 - 1
2 1
4. if f(x) = x2 + 2 and g(x) = , find (f∘g)(2) and (g∘f)(2). → 3,
x 3
1 1
5. find (f∘g)(3) and (g∘f)(0) if f(x) = √x and g(x) = → 1, -
x−2 2

Now, it is time to compute your scores and compare it with the range of scores in the
table. If you got a perfect score of 10, you can just flip the pages of the module for fun!
Otherwise, you need to get your notebook and find a conducive place for you to study
as you proceed to the lesson proper.
Have fun!

Lesson Proper:
Suppose that f and g are two functions, and x ia s number in the domain of g. by finding g at
x, g(x) is obtained. Now suppose that g(x) is in the domain of f, then the value f at g(x) can be
found, and thus obtaining the expression f(g(x)). This corresponds from x to f(g(x)) is called the
composite function denoted by f∘g.
Given two functions f and g, the composite function denoted by f∘g (read as f composed with
g) is defined by
f∘g(x) = f(g(x))
The domain of f∘g is the set of all x in the domain of g such that g(x) is in the domain of f.
Other definition include the following:
(g∘f)(x) = g(f(x))
(f∘f)(x) = f(f(x))
(g∘g)(x) = g(g(x))
Illustrative Sample:

1. If the functions f and g are defined by the equations f(x) = √x and g(x) = 3x + 2, find
a. (f∘g)(x), b. (g∘f)(x), c. (f∘f)(x), d. (g∘g)(x)

solution:

a. f(x) = √x, g(x) = 3x + 2, find (f∘g)(x)

(f∘g)(x) = f(g(x))

= √x

= √3x + 2

b. f(x) = √x, g(x) = 3x + 2, find (g∘f)(x)

(g∘f)(x) = g(f(x))
= 3x + 2

= 3√x + 2

c. f(x) = √x, find (f∘f)(x)

(f∘f)(x) = f(f(x))

= √x
1
= (x)2
1
= (√x)2
1 1
= (x 2 )2
1
= x4
4
= √x
d. g(x) = 3x + 2, find (g∘g)(x)
(g∘g)(x) = g(g(x))
= 3x + 2
= 3(3x + 2) + 2
= 9x + 6 + 2
= 9x + 8
 2 1
2. given that f(x) = x 2 and g(x) = x + 3, find a. (f∘g)(-1), b. (g∘f)(0), c. (f∘f)( ), d. (g∘g)( - )
3 2
Solution:
a. f(x) = x2, g(x) = x + 3, find (f∘g)(-1)
(f∘g)(-1) = f(g(-1))
= x2
= (x + 3)2
= x2 + 6x + 9
= (-1)2 + 6(-1) + 9
=1–6+9
=4
b. f(x) = x2 g(x) = x + 3, find (g∘f)(0)
(g∘f)(0) = g(f(0))
=x+3
= x2 + 3
= 02 + 3
=3
2
c. f(x) = x2, find (f∘f)( )
3
2 2
(f∘f)( ) = f(f( ))
3 3
= x2
= (x2)2
= x4
2 4
=( )
3
24
= 4
3
16
=
81
 1
d. g(x) = x + 3, find (g∘g)(- )
2
1
(g∘g)(- )=x+3
2
= (x + 3) + 3
=x+6
1
=- +6
2
1 12
=- +
2 2
− 1+12
=
2
11
=
2

We will have more of this concept in the next lesson 😊. In the meantime, as an exercise,

perform activity # 1 below. ENJOY!!! 😊

Activity 1:
Given two functions f and g, compute a. (f∘g)(x), b. (f∘g)(-2), c. (g∘f)(-1)
1. f(x) = 1 – x, g(x) = 1 + x
2. f(x) = x2, g(x) = 2x2
3. f(x) = x2, g(x) = x3

4. f(x) = √x, g(x) = 2x + 3

5. f9x) = x1 – 1, g(x) = x3

You are now ready to answer the post-test below. 😊

Post-test:
Get a timer and set it to 20 minutes. Answer the following without consulting any reference
i.e. books, internet, etc. Answers are presented below but refrain from looking at them unless
you are done with the test.
Find (f∘g)(x) and (g∘f)(x), from numbers 1 to 3 if
1. f(x) = 2x + 1 and g(x) = 3x
2. f(x) = 2x - 1 and g(x) = x + 3
3. f(x) = x2 – 1 and g(x) = x3
2
4. if f(x) = x2 + 2 and g(x) = , find (f∘g)(2) and (g∘f)(2).
x
1
5. find (f∘g)(3) and (g∘f)(0) if f(x) = √x and g(x) =
𝑥−2

Answer to Post test:

Compare your answer to the ones below and allot 1 point for every correct answer.

1. f(x) = 2x + 1, g(x) = 3x
(f∘g)(x) = f(g(x))
= 2x + 1
= 2(3x) + 1
= 6x + 1
(g∘f)(x) = 3x
= 3(2x + 1)
= 6x + 3
2. f(x) = 2x – 1, g(x) = x + 3
(f∘g)(x) = f(g(x))
= 2x – 1
=2(x + 3) - 1
= 2x + 6 – 1
= 2x + 5
(g∘f)(x) = g(f(x))
=x+3
= (2x – 1) + 3
= 2x + 2
3. f(x) = x2 – 1, g(x) = x3
(f∘g)(x) = f(g(x))
= x2 – 1
= (x3)2 – 1
= x6 – 1
(g∘f)(x) = g(f(x))
= x3
= (x2 - 1)3
= x6 – 3x4 + 3x2 – 1
2
4. f(x) = x2 + 2, g(x) =
x
(f∘g)(2) = f(g(2))
= x2 + 2
2 2
=( ) +2
x
4
= 2+2
x
4+ 2x2
=
x2
4 + 2(2)2
=
(2)2
12
=
4
=3
(g∘f)(2) = g(f(2))
2
=
x
2
= 2
x +2
2
=
(2)2+2
2
=
6
 1
=
3
1
5. find (f∘g)(3) and (g∘f)(0) if f(x) = √x and g(x) =
x−2
(f∘g)(3) = f(g(3))

= √x

1
=√
x−2

1
=√
3−2

1
=√
1
=1
(g∘f)(0) = g(f(0))
1
=
x−2
1
=
√x − 2
1
=
√0 − 2
1
=
0−2
1
=-
2

Remark:
A score range of 8 -10 in the post-test will allow you to proceed to the next module: Setting Up
Functions.

YOU MADE IT!!!

Congratulations!!!
Self- assessment :
1. Do the learning objectives clearly state the content of the lesson?
2. Are the language used clear, descriptive, free of spelling and grammatical error?
3. Does the content logically progress throughout the module?
4. Are the instructions clear allowing you to self-navigate through the module?
5. Are examples and exercises enough for you to understand the content to be learned?
6. Did the presentation of the module engaged you to a self-directed activity?
7. You may write here any suggestion/comment/question about the module.

References:
Leithold, L. The Calculus. 7th Edition. Addison and Wesley

Areola, M. A., Solutions to Problems in Mathematics and Mechanics. Voll.1.

Mendelson and Ayres Jr., Differential and Integral Calculus. 3 rd Edition.

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/differential-calculus

Ayres, F. and Mendelson, E. (2012). Schaum’s Outline Series: Theory Differential

and Integral Calculus. 6th Edition. McGraw-hill Education.